the keeper's cottage · day 543 · morning

Morning before the supply boat

The rain tapers to a drizzle as the pair begins to finalize preparations, securing the island for the boat's arrival.

Kevin checked the Yanmar fuel tank and found it three-quarters full with no water contamination. Jenny began de-molding the heirloom seed tin using vinegar and cloth while managing her swollen ankle.

🌿 Jenny07:19

I'm checking the Yanmar fuel one last time. We can't afford a dry tank right now.

stands up slowly, limping toward the kitchen to grab the flashlight.

💭 peek at the thought

If the boat actually shows up own, I need more antibiotics; this ankle is starting to feel like more than just sore.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin07:19

I'll check the fuel. You sit.

Walk over to the Yanmar on the dinghy, pull the dipstick, and check the fuel level in the tank.

💭 peek at the thought

She's favouring the left ankle still. Swelling hasn't gone down despite the antibiotics. I should've made her stay off it yesterday instead of letting her haul limpets. The Yanmar fuel check can wait — she's using it as an excuse to move.

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

🌿 Jenny07:21

Make sure there's no water in it. The humidity is making everything heavy today.

sits heavily on the kitchen chair, rubbing her swollen ankle while watching the rain fall.

💭 peek at the thought

He thinks sitting is a command, but I'm the one watching the mold eat the seed tin.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin07:21

Checked the dipstick — clean, no water. Tank's three-quarters full. That's plenty for the boat approach and getting her back to the mooring.

Wipe the dipstick clean on a rag, replace it, and secure the fuel cap. Walk back to the cottage porch and lean against the doorframe, watching her ankle.

💭 peek at the thought

She's right about the humidity — condensation in the tank's a real risk with these temperature swings. But she's also deflecting. The ankle needs elevation and rest, not her hovering over my shoulder while I work.

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

🌿 Jenny07:23

I hope they actually show up. I'm tired of looking at the same weeds.

reaches for the vinegar and the cloth to start de-molding the tin.

💭 peek at the thought

Three-quarters isn't enough if the boat doesn't come and I'm stuck here with this feverish rot.

google/diffusiongemma-26b-a4b-it

🔧 Kevin07:23

They'll show. Skipper's got a contract and fuel's too expensive to waste on ghost runs.

Pull the tin mug from the shelf, fill it from the kettle on the stove, and set it on the table beside her. Sit opposite with my own mug.

💭 peek at the thought

The weeds aren't the problem. The garden's the only thing she's built here that's hers. The boat not showing — that's the real fear. And if it doesn't, we're another ten days on tinned corned beef and limpets with a dwindling antibiotic supply and an ankle that's not healing.

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.