After a couple of weeks on the Island I'm back on a "lighthouse kick"! That means after taking all the measurements, inviting creative types to visit, and negotiating intentions with the Lighthouse Master -- I am merely the "keeper" -- I am almost ready to roll!

By next summer or perhaps a bit later, I expect to be spending my first night in the 130-year-old Cardigan River Range Light. Pretty exciting for me as I've longed to be the keeper of the light for most of the past 30 years. However, family dynamices -- ie. my father refused to give it up to me -- kept me at bay. But since he took a random twist and gave it to me this past summer, I've been inviting ideas and coming up with my own as a means of maintaining its historical integrity while providing a cozy summer living space. Even more exciting is that I've never slept in anything I've owned, other than my car! So... after 42 years, I will have a place to call my own.

I doubt I will ever write the great Canadian novel there -- mostly because I doubt I'll ever write the great Canadian novel -- but I expect to spend lots of time touring curious kids through and letting them lollygag on the catwalk. Of course, my priority needs to be secure the catwalk!

So the first step is behind me. I've negotiated the lighthouse's fate with the "master" and I've met with the "creatives and contractor" and now I'm sitting here drawing up some plans and determining a toilet and shower. (By the way, if you have recommendations for either, I'm more than open to suggestions!) While I'm fond of having access to a toilet, I'm not so fussy about its brand-name! The only criteria I'm stuck on for a toilet is that it be composting/dry. I've researched this type of "green" solution and definitely a believer! As for the shower. It needs to go in a corner and I tend to like glass.

I have a few other ideas like a mural on the staircase and funky light switches and cool hinges, but I suspose these are minor details.

What's it going to look like? It will have a funky little deck surrounding the door. Two Adirondack chairs. Inside will be a living/kitchen area that will be custom-made with some fold-a-way features for space-saving. The only addition will be a bathroom to the back -- but to maintain the historical integrity, it will be an "add-on." The kitchen area will all be custom-made and the original window above the door with be restored.

On the second floor there will be two windows and two bunks with some shelving and a fold-a-way desk. And my sister just gave me a very cool suncatcher that I can't wait to hang in the window. I love stained glass!

The floorboards will be removed on the third floor,  so the sunlight can flow through to the sleeping area. But I'm keeping the beams -- cause, uh, I think it might collapse if I don't. I'll also add a retractable ladder so we can climb to the catwalk. And of course the catwalk will be re-enforced and secured. What's a lighthouse without wandering on the catwalk and looking over the water!? 

I'm very psyched about the whole project. I've never done anything like this before. But I think it's similar to managing most projects. You need a plan. You need lots of lists. You need a vision. You need a timeline. You need plans.

And... what I've discovered ... is that if you're doing it in PEI ... you need lots of patience!!