"It's an Island!!"

...an island story.

It's always been a problem.  That attitude the weekenders have always had.  The "What's the big deal?  It's an island!" kind of attitude.  The attitude that rubs the islanders the wrong way.  The attitude that makes the islanders dread Fridays and look forward to Sundays.  To explain, the islanders are the people who have permanent homes on the island.  They may stay year round, they may just come for the summer.  But we islanders consider the island home.  The weekenders are the people who come to the island on their private boats, or on the big party boats, and stay just for the weekend.  They may come every weekend, but they are never considered islanders because they regard the island as their party place.

Now this looks like an enjoyable, harmless activity doesn't it?  Taking a stroll on a lovely morning, enjoying the day, taking in the sights.  But you see, this is a photo of a weekender.  And the weekender's dog.  The weekender and his dog are walking through my parent's front lawn.  The weekender is letting his dog find a place to relieve himself.  I imagine the weekender thought, "What's the big deal?  It's an island."

Golf carts are the typical mode of transportation around the island, both for islanders and weekenders.  They really are perfect.  They never go too fast and they can be parked just about anywhere.  Even in front of my parent's house.  But what's the big deal?  It's an island.

Here's the orignal story that prompted the use of the repeated phrase.  My grandparents had a house next to the one belonging to my parents.  They had waterfront property, too.  And in the water was their dock.  They would rent a slip or two to people who needed a place to dock their boats.  Grandpa's rate was reasonable.  One time a couple rented from him, they caused some trouble and when they came again he refused to rent to them.  Well, they said they'd leave but Gramps found them down their later anyway.  I think they had built a fire and were enjoying themselves a little too much.  "What's the big deal?  It's an island!" was what they told my Grandpa.  The nerve!  "It's an island."  What exactly does that have to do with trespassing?  Or disregarding "No Parking" signs?  Or walking your dog on someones private lawn?  I'm afraid we'll never know.  We just have to be prepared come Friday afternoons.