The Lighthouse Keeper
BY DANIEL W. DRAKE
It is the end of January. The cold weather has finally arrived. The real estate market is, shall we say, quiet. There are parking places, sometimes, on Main Street. Nantucket is in the doldrums.

That is a bit of an oxymoron, since by one of Mr. Webster's definitions, "often capitalized," the Doldrums are "a part of the ocean near the equator abounding in calms, squalls, and light shifting winds." Nantucket's part of the ocean wouldn't recognize the Doldrums. Other definitions, like "a spell of listlessness or despondency" or "a state or period of inactivity, stagnation, or slump" are more on point, it would seem.

The race for two open selectmen's seat seems imbued with listlessness. Our newest selectmen has announced her "retirement" halfway into her short term, and the only candidate who has, to date, filed his nomination papers, for all his virtues, cannot fill both seats. There are few rumors about other possible candidates. Those eager to talk and/or run in earlier races are strangely silent this time around.

While the situation cultivates doldrumic despondency, there is, perhaps, a ray of hope. Maybe, just maybe, people are beginning to realize that the system is broken and that the risk of being consumed by the creaking, archaic morass far outweighs any psychic, or even tangible, reward of sitting on the Board of Selectmen. If that is the case - if we are so lucky - perhaps we will not have to wait another eon for the voters to have a go at some substantive changes to the way we are governed.

But we should move on. Let us not dwell on the machinations of government or the motivations of people. Let us not cogitate on the fine points of appointing the members of town boards instead of electing them. Let us not stew about the scolding the school system has just gotten from the state. Let us not worry about whether the Sewer Advisory Committee had, as its real agenda, growth limitation. Let us not fret about our shock absorbers as the Department of Public Works finally admits, after thirteen or so years of "level funding", that it doesn't have any money to fix our roads. Certainly, we need to get over the listlessness induced by the Patriots' game last week.

Indeed, let us betake ourselves into our jolly boat, break out the oars and heave-ho ourselves out of these January doldrums.

Many get out of their funk by enjoying Nantucket's natural beauty as they walk or bicycle or even surf. The moors and the beaches, as well as the bike paths and rutted roads are particularly beautiful at this time of year. The ocean is a bit cold these days, but even that provides solace to some hardy souls. It is difficult to remain despondent when, appropriately bundled, one can enjoy and be invigorated by our beautiful surroundings.

The variety and scope of activities available for Nantucketers to throw themselves into is remarkable. Whether their interests are in drama, or music or art, or in books or prolific and procreative Scottish poets, in martial arts or in self-improvement the opportunities are almost endless, both here and abroad. Let us not forget the Saturday afternoon trip to Hyannis to mall walk.

There are both vocations and avocations which provide stimulation. One such, this week, revealed that virtually all of the more than 16,000 wastewater treatment facilities in this country were built in the 1950s or 1960s - and they all need to be replaced or upgraded. What a great thought that Nantucket is one of the first to have gotten its act together about replacing its plant.

Then, there was the information that new techniques in wastewater treatment and sludge disposal are being developed to simplify and reduce the cost of the process. Ooops, let's not backslide into the doldrums by worrying about whether the new Surfside plant is ahead of the technology.

Perhaps the best stimulations are those provided by family and friends. A visit to a pub or a meal together can be inspiring. Sharing an activity gets the juices flowing. A casual meeting on the ferry can result in a trip that reflects a life-long dream.

Unexpected events play a big role in keeping us on our toes. Family members frequently have the ability to give us the biggest surprise. Even the expected can take unexpected turns. In the extreme, a baby born to one of our daughters a week early throws all sorts of support plans up in the air. A regrouping is required. And, virtually simultaneously, a potential adoption by another daughter brings on a roller coaster of emotions - none being doldrumic - as the process wends through its tortuous course.

If insomnia threatens, one can avert the doldrums by taking up the question of where in the pecking order each of such children fits. Is the soon-to-be-adopted one, born days before the other but brought into the family after the second birth, the newest or the next-to-newest grandchild? The great philosophers can have their fun with that one. As for me, pondering the question brought sleep when all else failed.

This last example of being plucked from the doldrums may not be the norm, but it's not unique. (For the record, a similar thing happened with the last family adoption and another grandchild's birth.) The point is that we have plenty to keep us occupied, to pique our interests and stimulate us. Our mental survival on Nantucket is assured by all of the stimuli which activate us and keep us on our toes. Be gone slumps and stagnation! The slice of island life that is the doldrums is manageable and containable.

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The "Lighthouse Keeper" reflects the views of the author and does not necessarily represent the editorial position of The Nantucket Independent. Please send any comments to drake@nantucketindependent. com.