Pandora's Box: stalking

Friday, September 23, 2016

Stalking Susan Branch....

I admit it, I can be a stalker at times.

But let me be clear - I am a friendly stalker, not one of those mean ol' stalkers who can scare the bejeebers out of someone. I know how to be a respectful stalker, and I know when to back off.

My most recent challenge was in March in Charleston, SC - you might remember me stalking Patricia Altschul's home? She is in the reality show, Southern Charm (read about that stalking adventure here).

So, the other day I went to Martha's Vineyard to stalk Susan Branch's home.

I took the Island Queen to Oak Bluffs....

...and then hopped a bus to Vineyard Haven.

Vineyard Haven is a community in the town of Tisbury on Martha's Vineyard, with about 2100 residents.

I knew where she lived and I practiced my trek on Google Earth.

I found her street quite quickly...

...but first got distracted when I spied MacKenzie-Childs items in a boutique on the corner!

That little distraction cost me a few dollars!

I walked up the street and all of a sudden THERE IT WAS:

Susan's lovely home!

I knew Susan had just sailed the QM2 to England, and I also knew there was a house sitter.

I want to apply for this position! I would make the perfect house sitter for Susan - I love cats, I love the Island, I would clean and garden and cook and take walks to the beach- and especially keep my eyes peeled for future stalkers!

Yes, this is MOI, on her front steps - pretty brazen of me, huh?

Off to the side I spied her van. I leaned over the fence and peered through the bushes for this shot. Sadly, I was on the Cape this summer, a week before her book signing and missed meeting her by only a few days.

BUT, what I really wanted to see was her kitchen garden. As I slowly and quietly began to stroll up her driveway, I practiced what I would say to the local policeman if I were to be picked up for trespassing ("But Officer, I thought this was a public path to the next road") and then what did I hear?

"WOOOOF , WOOOOF"

WHAT? The house sitter has a DOG???

Those poor, sweet cats have to be terrified daily while Susan is away?!!

Another reason WHY I should be the house sitter!!

It was enough to make me recede - but first I needed a quick photo! Isn't this the sweetest garden, protected by a white picket fence? Who wouldn't want this in their yard?

I walked around the block to get a view of her back yard, which is LOVELY!

I could imagine sitting out back with a glass of lemonade with fresh mint from the garden...

...right in this very spot:

...or under this tree:

Again, I didn't want to walk to close to the house (dogs and I don't tend to get along, especially when trespassing).

As I walked back out to the main road, I also spied this cute little home across the way. Imagine if I lived there? Susan and I could be BFFs!

I became a fan of Susan's artwork from the beginning. I found "Heart of the Home" by accident. I was in the bookstore, searching for a cookbook for my students, when I saw the "heart" and lost my focus as I flipped through the pages. I have purchased every one of her books, some for gifts, but mostly for me.

Her art work and handwriting is easily identifiable and her "personal stories" are delightful!

I often use her books in seasonal kitchen vignettes - keeping the autumn recipes for cranberry apple crisp, spiced cider and gingerbread cake close by!