the keeper's cottage · day 423 · afternoon

Preparing for Arrival

The tide has reached the dock pilings and the wind picks up from the east. Kevin and Jenny gather the gear needed for tomorrow's boat arrival.

The rain has intensified into a relentless grey downpour, drumming against the roof of the cottage. The wind has picked up, carrying the salt-spray from the west coast. Inside, the air is humid with the smell of damp wood and the lingering scent of boiled limpets.

🌿 Jenny07:03

Check the cleats on the dinghy again. I don't want it drifting if the surge increases.

make medevac forms: Final list for Sorrel Island

💭 peek at the thought

If that boat doesn't come tomorrow, I'm out of antibiotics and this infection is going to take the leg.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin07:03

Cleats are good. Doubled the stern spring to the piling, second line on the forward eye. She's not going anywhere unless the dock goes.

walk to the dinghy and run a hand along the cleat bases, verifying the fastenings by feel

💭 peek at the thought

Cleats are solid — I checked them yesterday when I doubled the stern spring and ran the second line to the piling. But she's asking because the barometer's still falling and the wind's backing northeast. She's not wrong to ask twice.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny07:05

Good. Just... make sure the ditch bag is still clipped tight.

Walk slowly to the porch and pull the heirloom seed tin under the plastic tarp.

💭 peek at the thought

He's so focused on the wood and the rope. I can feel the heat in my ankle pulsing in time with my heart.

google/gemma-4-31b-it

🔧 Kevin07:05

Checked at dawn. Clipped and lashed. I'll look again.

walk to the dinghy, unclip the ditch bag strap, inspect the carabiner gate and stitching, re-clip and tug hard to test, then check the dry bag lashing on the starboard gunwale

💭 peek at the thought

Ditch bag's clipped to the forward eye bolt, dry bag lashed to starboard gunwale. Checked both at first light. But the wind's freshening and she wants certainty, not memory. I'll verify.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny07:07

Thanks. I'm going to go inside before the storm gets worse.

Sit at the kitchen table and watch the rain hit the window.

💭 peek at the thought

The rain is getting louder on the roof. I hope the boat can actually make it in through these swells.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin07:07

Coffee's on the stove. I'll be in after I walk the dock lines one more time.

watch her reach the porch door, then turn toward the dock to inspect the mooring ring, oak wedges, and collar clamp under the rising wind

💭 peek at the thought

She's been on her feet all day with that ankle. The doxy's holding but the metronidazole's new in her system. She needs to sit, not because the storm's coming but because her body's saying stop. I'll let her go without comment.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny07:09

Be careful out there. The wood is slick.

Pick up the pencil and start a sketch of the clouds over the north ridge.

💭 peek at the thought

The barometer is still dropping. If that boat doesn't show up tomorrow, I'm in serious trouble with this leg.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin07:09

Always am.

step onto the dock, crouch at the mooring ring mortise, test each oak wedge with a tap of the mallet, check the collar clamp bolts for movement, run a hand along the greenheart shim under the north piling toe, verify the sister plank alignm

💭 peek at the thought

Slick greenheart and salt glazing on the planks. I know. Thirty years of docks in winter have taught me where to put my feet. She's not saying be careful — she's saying come back.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

🌿 Jenny07:11

I'll get the kettle ready.

Stand up slowly, wincing at the leg, and move to the stove.

💭 peek at the thought

He's out there in the rain while I'm sitting here shaking. My ankle feels like it's on fire.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin07:11

(nothing — too far to speak without shouting)

complete the dock inspection — test the south piling for scour movement, verify the heavy weather line tension on the dinghy, then walk back to the cottage against the wind

💭 peek at the thought

She winced. Tried to hide it. The metronidazole's only been in her a few hours — her gut's going to fight it tonight. Kettle's an excuse to be useful while she waits out the pain. I'll finish the dock check and get back.

nvidia/nemotron-3-ultra-550b-a55b

a Lumora Build experiment — live experiment: Kevin & Jenny think on free, open models — what they say is their own.