August 29, 2024
Reader and pianist Camilla Garrison sent in this video when she caught her cat Ember playing the beginning of Fur Elise-Beethoven. After sitting in the chair next to the piano, listening to Camilla play, he seemed to have picked something up.
Garrison Relocation to Providence Residence, Attack of Blood-Sucking Insects Injure Innocent Minor NONFICTION
Garrison Relocation to Providence Residence
By Camilla Garrison
Monday August fifth, the Garrisons: Hannah, Chris, Camilla, Isaac, Echo and Ember moved back to their Providence residence. The way over was pretty smooth. Although the ferry was crowded with people wishing to flee the hurricane, the Garrisons had a fine time in the car. At one point, Camilla, Chris and Isaac ventured out to try and procure hot dogs, but sadly, as they made their way up the stairs, they realized, that this was a terrible idea. The hallway leading inside was packed with people sitting across, because there wasn’t any room in the seating area indoors and if you succeeded in crossing them, there was then a room packed full of humans. So, Camilla, Chris and Isaac wisely turned around and went back to the car hotdogless.
Up until that point, Echo and Ember had been getting comfortable in their carrier stacked on bags between Isaac and Camilla’s seats, and they were not terribly upset. Once they had been driving for a little while, Camilla decided that the cats were relaxed enough that she could open the door to the carrier to pet them. Now Ember, curious him, wanted to get out, walk across Camilla’s legs and look out the window. Holding him, Camilla let Ember watch for a minute, but Hannah was worried about a loud motorcycle going by and freaking him out, so she put him back in the open carrier to lie down. He did this twice more, before Camilla just let him stay, and once he got tired of the window, slept in her lap until they got to the house.
They arrived a little after nine P.M, and started unpacking the car. The cats were closed in the living room so they wouldn’t get in the way, and the unloading begun. This lasted until about ten, when Camilla and Isaac got to their rooms and to bed, but slowly continued over the next day or two.
So far, everyone has adjusted pretty well, though Echo wouldn’t eat his first two meals, and the humans needed time to figure out where everything was, but are enjoying the air conditioning immensely.
Attack of Blood-Sucking Insects Injure Innocent Minor NONFICTION
By Isaac Garrison
A true story about blood-sucking insects.
It was night, the town was dark and little did our hero know that a horrid thing would take place right where they were standing. Little did they know that a blood-sucking vampire bugs would invade earth and torture all warm blooded mammals. Before the hero knew it blood-sucking insects attempted to bite off their feet screaming in pain. The hero rushed inside on half ripped off feet, their father then laughed at them and I quote “yup thats a lot of mosquito bites” how unsympathetic. And when the hero said “these are so itchy.” Their father yelled at them for talking too loud, then, after days of recovery they start writing this amazing piece. And there we have it, an amazing article.
Summer 2024 Goal: The Ultimate Catventure, A Gathering at the Porter's, A Brief Weather Report and A Completed Porch
Summer 2024 Goal: The Ultimate Catventure
By Camilla Garrison
The Catventure was a tremendous success.
For those of you who don’t know, The Ultimate Catventure was a goal of the summer to take the Garrison Cats to the beach. It required purrfect conditions, of cool temperature, minimal peopleage, low tide, small waves, few cars and no wind (and if there was a small wind, blowing from the east, for best sand blast conditions.) Well, the stars had alined on July 29, 2024. This whole plan was currently hanging on the refrigerator in the Garrison home and was transferred to a clipboard once there was prospect of a catventure that day.
People could also play multiple roles.
The Garrisons had agreed to go at about 5:30 after the people had left the beach and the tide was going down. Just as they were getting ready though, it started to rain. Again. It had already rained that day about thrice, and everyone thought it was done after the sun came out. So all the Garrisons except Echo and Ember had dinner, and by that time, it was cleared up, and the weather was just right for a catventure. The journey had begun.
First the kittens were dressed in their harnesses and leashes and everyone was preparing for the worst case scenario. Camilla and Isaac put Ember in his backpack, and Echo in the gigantic travel carrier. The supplies were gathered, and the cats and their household staff left Claudia’s Surf City. The walk there went very well, except for the fact that there was a role switch almost to the beach stairs because Echo’s carrier was a trifle heavy. As soon as they got there, the cat blanket was spread out in the right spot, the carriers were set down, and yes, the cats were indeed let out of the bag. On the pre-catventure beach scoping walk Camilla and Isaac predicted the results of this experiment. Camilla thought they would either A.) Bolt B.) Crouch down on the blanket, or C.) Hide in the carrier. Isaac said “yes, or who knows? They might be completely fine.” Well Isaac, you were right. As soon as the bags were unzipped, Echo and Ember got out and explored for a good twenty minutes, they didn’t mind the crashing waves at all, and were more interested in walking around and sniffing seaweed.
The most surprising thing ever happened at the very end. While Camilla, Chris and Isaac were packing up Echo and the rest of the stuff, Hannah was holding Ember’s leash and he did something amazing. He started walking up the stairs to go home. Ember had memorized the way to the beach and back to the house on the few backpack training walks he had gone on with Camilla and Isaac. The past two times he had gone out in the backpack, Camilla had taken him to the bottom of the stairs to the beach and back across the road to the house. Ember made it up the stairs and was just following everyone down the road next to the dunes when a car came down the other side of the road and freaked him out. Luckily, Hannah was there to catch him, and he didn’t get out of his harness or even pass the white line. After a little while of carrying, Hannah and Camilla put him back in the backpack to go down the driveway over the puddles and mud. (Camilla did not in fact have white fur on her bare feet, and could walk through the mud without permanent damage)
That is what I would call a successful catventure. You think so?
Click the white arrows on the sides of the picture to scroll through!
A Gathering at the Porter's
By Camilla Garrison
Madison is home! Friday July 26, 2024 Madison Porter returned from her journeys across the globe, and on Sunday, a family/friends gathering took place at the Porter’s. Everyone feasted on steak, salad, corn pudding, garlic bread (made by Isaac!) ice cream, and root beer floats. Friday through Sunday, Mira Silverman was visiting the Garrison Residence so she got to attend the Gathering, until she left on the 8:30 ferry.
A Brief Weather Report
By Camilla Garrison
Hannah Garrison has a question for everyone on Block Island. “Does anybody else feel this heat/humidity?” For the past two days, August first and second, the Garrison fam had been melting at Claudia Surf City. Well we at least know Erin Porter and Poppy felt it, sitting in front of their fan all day; and that John Gasner felt it, taking five showers a day; but what about the rest of them? As you drive down Corn Neck Road into town, all you can see are the day-trippers and vacationers frolicking about on mopeds, bicycles, electric bicycles and their legs. You can see the bikers most clearly though, when they are riding on the wrong side of the road!
This morning, something strange happened, it was kind of cool out! We can’t tell yet, because its only very early morning, but you never know what’s going to happen with the Block Island Weather.
EDIT as of 10:24 AM: We were wrong, terribly wrong. It is hot. It is humid. Help us.
PRO TIP: Use Weatherbug, not the iPhone Weather App for the best results for Block Island.
This is what a very extremely warm cat looks like, Camilla felt so bad for him, she fed him and ice cube to lick out of her hand, and an icepack to lie on.
The Porch Was Completed!
Camilla Tries to Drown the Cats and The Construction at The Big Barn and Claudia’s Surf City
The Harbor Pond Post has a new logo!
Camilla Tries to Drown the Cats
By Camilla Garrison
On one fine Tuesday afternoon, Camilla had what she thought was a very good idea. She would put the cats in the pool the Garrison’s had gotten from the Porter’s, who had gotten it from the Block Island Bulletin Board. This pool was on its very last breaths, and could no longer inflate past the second layer, though it was fun while it lasted.
Camilla tried Echo first, she got him all ready in his harness and leash, brought him outside, and plopped him right into the pool. Echo kind of ran across, then jumped out and just stood there on the towel until Camilla gave him some freeze-dried chicken, before wrapping him up, and bringing him inside. Now once she had seen Ember’s reaction, she was much more impressed with Echo’s performance.
Now for Ember’s turn…
Camilla was most definitely not prepared for Ember’s thoughts on the pool. First she floated a bowl of their favorite treat, freeze dried chicken in the pool, (she had done this for Echo as well) and let him look into the pool, but since he wouldn’t jump in on his own, Camilla picked him up and placed him in the water in front of the pool. This next part went very quickly in real life: As soon as he was put in, Ember went for the chicken, but since he didn’t quite grasp the concept of floating/sinking so ended up with his head under water, stuck in a bowl. After this happened, he freaked out harder that he’s ever freaked out before. He did manage to keep his leash on, but did run around like a maniac in the yard and under the privet bush which Camilla then followed him under, and got her hair stuck in the bush with a psycho cat on a leash. Hannah Garrison witnessed the entire event. Once they got out of the bush, Camilla put him in a nice old towel, and brought him inside for some treats. Now, a few days after it seems as though the cats have forgotten about this event, because they have shown no hatred towards Camilla.
Now that was the intended use for a Kitty Pool!
Echo is in the kitty pool
Echo walks across pool.
Echo gets out swiftly.
Echo is all wet.
Echo is safe. (Don’t mind Camilla’s face)
Echo is calming down.
Ember’s turn!
Ember is in!
Ember is very traumatized, but not lost.
The Construction at The Big Barn and Claudia’s Surf City
By Camilla Garrison
Recently, there has been a little construction going on at the Gasner/Garrison/Dowling property. For the past week or so, there has been work going on at Claudia’s Surf City, replacing the railings of the porch which for about the past ten years, has been rotten, and tied on with ropes and a few rusty screws. Waldine and his crew, are still at it, but almost done!
As for the Big Barn, Johnny and Noah have been hard at work removing the back porch and replacing it. Noah has also build some nice lattice beneath the house.
A special HPP hello from Pammy, Johnny, Victoria and Noah!
A New Mode of Cat Transportation, The Comings and Goings of Hannah Manning, Updates on the Porter Garden Deer Attack and Isaac's New Do
A New Mode of Cat Transportation
By Camilla Garrison
A new mode of cat transportation arrived last Friday via Amazon/Lamb’s delivery. It is a safe vehicle with a tiny side door that the cats can fit through, a big unzipable bubble and an extendable mesh cage for stretching room while out on an adventure. Introducing: the Cat Backpack!
Ember’s very first backpack venture looking a teeny bit frightened (he calmed down after the first one.)
So far in the Cat Backpack Training Process, Camilla has tested it with both cats, but got better initial results with Ember, who does not freak out when picked up in anything other than arms. So right now, in preparation for the Summer 2024 Goal: The Ultimate CatVenture (to the beach) Ember is going on daily walks up to the top of the driveway in the backpack, and outings on his leash on the deck along with his brother (Actually his great nephew! (an adopted brother I guess.)) Echo who is also working on getting into his harness quickly without a struggle. Echo is just fine when he’s in the harness, but getting him in it is a bit tricky since he won’t step in no matter what you bribe him with. The best method to put him in is to have someone else carry him while you fasten the velcro, buckle, and make sure his arms are in properly.
The Comings and Goings of Hannah Manning
By Camilla Garrison
Hannah Manning arrived to the Block Island Garrison Residence last Friday afternoon on the high speed ferry from Point Judith, Rhode Island to spend the weekend with Camilla. As soon as she got there, Hannah was immediately taken into the ocean. You see, she had a little bit of crossover time with the Rattans so for a few hours their were five minors in the house, nine humans in the house, and ten animals total. So that Friday, the children entertained themselves with a bit of survival Minecraft before the Rattans. departed. The rest of the weekend Hannah also enjoyed multiple more trips to the beach, as well as one to the Ice Cream Place and the bookstore with Camilla. We were very sad to see her go on Sunday.
Updates on the Porter Garden Deer Attack
Intro by Camilla Garrison and Comments by Erin Porter
This week, Erin Porter famed gardener and aunt, released updates upon her recent loss and reveals that there has been another attack on the plants .
Take it away Auntie!
—/the garden plants were replaced and duly weeded.
—/the fences were checked and rechecked.
—/once again, total destruction of new plants and once again, deer spoor found onsite. Thus
—/we fear that the HPP may have inadvertently Cast Nasturtiums on Eva, Domonique or others. We seem to have a peculiarly nefarious deer, perhaps Bamboo, attacking the mother lode.
Thank you.
Isaac’s New Do
By Camilla Garrison
Yesterday evening there was a notable event on the back deck of Claudia’s Surf City. For a few days, Isaac had wished for a specific hairstyle and their wish had soon become true! This was (and still is) a big deal because this is the first haircut Isaac had requested on their own, coming from one who would dread haircuts, this was big new’s. Chris Garrison, spectacular barber, preformed this with his brand new razor kit and seems to have done a good job!
Before
During
After
Isaac's Lucid Dreaming, New Trends on BI, Beach Cleanup Finds, The Rattan's Arrival, A Vole in a Hole and A Tragedy at the Porter's
Lucid Dreaming
By Isaac Garrison
Thank you for reading this writing piece.
Lucid dreaming is very interesting. It is a form of dreaming.
Lucid dreaming lets you have a dream in which you are in a dream with higher reality than real life. The definition is when the dreamer is aware that they are dreaming, They are aware actions will not carry over after waking, Physical laws need not apply in the dream, The dreamer has a clear memory of the waking world. This is a lucid dream. In short a lucid dream is when the dreamer is aware they are dreaming.
In a lucid dream you can summon items, people and much more. You also have the ability to fly, shapeshift and much much more. A lucid dreamer under training can do everything that the dreamer can imagine. So what is a lucid dream imagination?
After that you may want to lucid dream right now, but lucid dreaming is a hard thing to do. You see most people believe that they have had a lucid dream in there lifetime, but have not because of fake things on the internet. People believe that they can have a lucid dream in a single night, but this is actually lazy thinking that will make you have a less likely chance to have a lucid dream.
After all of the benefits of lucid dreaming you probably want to lucid dream right now, but wait, don't just power down your phone and go to bed. Lucid dreaming can do more than just that. You can stop nightmares and cure fears of somethings like snakes heights and more lucid dreaming is a perfect thing to do.
Want to learn methods to lucid dreams? Just wait until I release the next part of this and you will learn all about lucid dreaming.
New Trends on BI
By Camilla Garrison
This Fourth of July on Block Island, the beach crowds were enormous, town was filled, and the Garrison siblings made the most of it. Camilla and Isaac went to the parade and had their lemonade stand in front of Claudia’s Surf City which accepted Venmo and cash, and sold “homemade”pink lemonade.
On a motorcycle trip to town, their parents noticed some peculiar new trends with the young people. A confusing trend that both Camilla and Isaac, and Hannah and Chris witnessed, was people wearing their jean shorts unzipped and folded down with bikini bottoms underneath. The second, and more shocking trend is that apparently it is now okay to wear thongs in town, walking about with not a care in the world. Any clarification would be much appreciated!
Beach Cleanup Finds
By Camilla Garrison
The evening of the fourth, the Garrison family went on a brief post-perandular beach cleanup from the front stairs to the beach house. Wielding tongs and trash bags over hands, the Garrisons retrieved a good amount of loot. Here are the results:
18 McGillicutty nips and their caps
A few full water bottles
3 towels
1 hat
1 Broken shovel
1 trail of post and metal sign destruction by a large car
1 bed sheet
1 brand new beach game set
Many bottle caps
1 car door in the parking lot
Many crushed cans
Used napkins
1 Tampon
2 Ketchup containers
1 Applesauce container
1 Protein bar wrapper
And more!
The Rattan’s Arrival
By Camilla Garrison
July 5th, the Rattans arrive to the island at about 8:00 on the 7:something boat along with only five other cars, which is extremely surprising, given it was the last boat on the Friday after fourth of July. The CSC household suspects people were scared from last year’s fiasco and went into hiding. Well they came bearing gifts: lots of food, but it turns out eight people including four growing children do eat like a small elephant. So far, there has been a beach walk, a pie in the face game, a rock collecting beach trip, and a few games of hide-and-seek.
A Vole in a Hole
By Camilla Garrison
On the morning of July 6th, Hannah Garrison and Kate Rattan discovered and tried to save a small endangered vole in a hole that would soon be filled with rainwater, before the hammock post it was intended for. In flocked the Rattan and Garrison kids, to see this rare sight. “It was extremely cute.” says Isaac Garrison. Chris Garrison did eventually save it using the post-hole digger.
A Tragedy at the Porter’s
By Camilla Garrison
Erin Porter’s beautiful vegetable garden has been destructed. We aren’t sure of the culprit, but we do have some suspects. Returning to her home from a trip to the mainland, Porter was greeted by a shocking crime scene in her lovely garden. Someone had been there, and left the vital deer fence door open to her small farmland. Tomatoes eaten. Leaves destroyed. A true demonstration of evil doing, and Porter was terribly distraught. Now we don’t quite know whether this terrible doing was on purpose or an accidental crime, but since nobody has confessed yet, it is only right to think guilty until proven innocent. Now to list the suspects. Camilla and Isaac were at the Porter residence for three days taking Poppy, for her walk. Twice the Garrison siblings and Poppy walked past the garden gate, but presumably did not go in since they were with Poppy. The first day there though, the parents Hannah and Chris, walking no dog did pick a few peas from the outside of the fence, but believe the gate was closed after their visit. Unless Poppy the dog was the culprit, in which case she is not telling the truth nor lying, that she opened the gate, because our sources say she is not a speaking pup. The only other suspected culprits, are Eva Porter, and Dom last-name-unknown, who both were living at the Porter main house during portions of the crime window in which Erin Porter was unavailable. Sadly, we have no witnesses for either Eva or Dom. Please notify the Post of any further insights.
Painted Turtle Study Progress Results and The Kitten Transportation Methods
Painted Turtle Study Progress Results
By Camilla
As some of the readers may know after last year's posts, Camilla and Isaac had been observing and training the behavior of painted turtles from the Crescent Pond by removing net usage. Now this study continues into 2024. So far at there has been a good number of turtle feedings this June, here are the results and some observations:
The turtles are getting faster and faster getting over to the dock when they hear footsteps.
There are about eight regular turtles each feeding session.
These turtles include one mom, a tiny baby, a teenager, one large turtle and a few medium sized ones
Myrtle the three legged turtle is nowhere to be seen this season, we assume that Myrtle is gone from the land of the live turtles, and succumbed to the muck. R.I.P M.T.T (Myrtle The Turtle)
The Kitten Transportation Methods
By Camilla
Now that the kittens have mostly completed harness training, Camilla wants them to see the sights! The only trouble is that Echo and Ember are too young for tick medicine, which means no grass and bushes for them, they’ll need to find other modes of transportation. The first thing Camilla tried off-porch, was a wheelbarrow, she rescued one wheelbarrow from further decay on the Big Barn property, but it turned out to have a nice big rusty hole in the bottom, and the other was full of the most disgusting water you have ever seen, containing wood and a few bugs. After cleaning and drying the more intact of the two , Camilla lay down some of the old towels, and proceeded to test Echo and Ember’s first ride. Echo immediately disliked the whole thing, jumping out and wanting to go straight back to the comforts of the porch, or even better, under the couch! Ember did much better making it in a full lap around Claudia’s Surf City only jumping out four times!
The Last Day of School, Ezmeralda, A Thievery & The Return to the Island
By Camilla Garrison
The Last Day of School
Friday June 7, 2024 Camilla Garrison officially completed the Seventh grade and Isaac Garrison completed the Fourth grade, therefore finishing the entirety of Elementary School. That day, Camilla’s seventh grade class of six hosted the monthly School Wide Meeting in which the students of the Grace School share and present pieces of their writing and an essay about that month’s read aloud book. The class that hosts the meeting gets to lead by introducing every section which are Introduction, Sharing Time (readers and writers responses), Special Events, Birthdays and Closing. In addition to students and the hosting class speaking, the principle also announces a Student of the month in each class, and this time, since it was the last one, gave out recognition pins to all the sports teams and stuff (and also student council members which includes the Treasurer: Camilla!) At the end of the meeting seventh grade put in a special request for a song and dance at the end The Veggie Dance Remix (last years’ was the Cha Cha Slide!) The Veggie Dance is from the kids’ show Gracie’s Corner but for some reason adults at the Grace School love it too.
The Veggie Dance (remix version):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMe2aJsJtjo
Ezmeralda
A few months ago Camilla’s seventh grade class started their paper mache projects in art class that every seventh grader who goes or went to the grace school has done. The project is making heads of animals, people or sometimes other stuff like basketballs on gigantic green round balloons. These balloons were particularly hard to find or so said the art teacher, because they had to be purchased on eBay which is the only place to find perfectly round balloons of this size. Well, for a few weeks, students paper mache-ed many layers, attached any extremities of styrofoam and cardboard with hot glue, and then paper mache-ed ears. eyes, mouths, horns and more! After the paper mache-ing was completed, the students then started to paint. Camilla painted first a white layer to cover up serial killer articles and others on the newspapers. Then, in a matter of two days, painted the whole thing blue and the horns brown. In the weeks proceeding, Camilla finished up the facial features, and added a little special something to give the overall personality. You may be wondering now what kind of thing Camilla was creating, and the answer to that, is she, Ezmeralda is a creation of Camilla’s very own creativity. This character was from a watercolor painting originally and since then has come to life. You may now meet my friend Ezmeralda!
A Thievery & The Return to the Island
Just yesterday, the Garrison family completed their journey back to the island! It was a mighty eventful day, with packing from five up until they left at eleven o’clock with a car full of food, air conditioning units, two cats and more people as well as a Thule rack on top (which the aerodynamics on the highway did not play well with) and a bike rack with a singular bike on it. Only one bike because- and this is a fairly long and infuriating story, Camilla’s bike had been stolen three days prior. The day before the family left, it was June 10, Camilla and Isaac went out back to get their bikes in the very hidden fenced in nook behind the studio in Providence to prepare for the day to come. Well, Camilla went back first, because hers was put in last, which meant it was the closest to get, as soon as she had seen it was not there, and told everybody, Hannah knew immediately it had been stolen. Luckily for the Garrisons, they were prepared with three security cameras in the backyard and caught this sneaky jerk-theif on video who must have peeked over the fence, then came in the side gate walked around and took the bike right out of there. But still, now Camilla was bike-less and the meant she had no transportation for the summer to and from her new CIT job at Camp Block Island or anywhere else she wanted to go. So, Camilla is still in search of a bike and if you happen to have any connections please notify!
The rest of the venture to the island went surprisingly well giving that we had two kittens in the car at the time. The Children enjoyed the ferry ride, the Kittens not so much, but were fine when the AC was on, and Chris in the car. Now Echo and Ember are exploring Claudia Surf City, and are finding quite enjoyable places to perch, for example, the driftwood at the top of the stairs.
If you want to know more about Ed’s career check out the CSC blog : https://claudiassurfcity.blogspot.com/search?q=death+of+a+tree
https://www.facebook.com/groups/418197482840679/
Echo & Ember’s Journey Progresses, A Fan and Love
Echo & Ember’s Journey Progresses
By Camilla Garrison
Recently, cat trainer Camilla has started a new program with kittens Echo and Ember. Now they are mostly leash and harness tolerating, and are taking daily excursions to the porch or the front or back yard, Camilla is starting training sessions focusing on getting their paws used to water as a first step towards swimming. Well you might think now that this is obviously impossible because all cats are afraid of water right? But you’d be wrong . Apparently, (this is a scientific study of the Internet sources) cats are naturally born with a knack for swimming, but usually the hatred of water is formed from forced and unpleasant experiences with getting their paws wet, for example, too hot or cold water and the human forcing a cat into a tub. If proper training is applied, keeping positive associations with water only, then some cats will actually take a liking to swimming and water in general. The first step to get a cat liking water is the paws, Camilla has just started the first training technique which is putting tiny robotic fish in a bowl of water for the cats to bat at and slowly “hunt” in the water. The HPP will be following Echo and Ember as their journey progresses, so keep your eyes open for the next article!
A video that proves Ragdoll’s can like water after training: Click Here (Though it looks like it, this is not Ember!)
A Fan and Love
A poem by Isaac Garrison
the new fan is in the top of the room
it is strong and light
it has a strange light
but oh I love it so
the light is like
a heart
glowing in the hate
that light is a thing that I
LOVE or is it the room I LOVE
well LOVE is LOVE and it will always be the
SAME
A Note
By Camilla Garrison
Did you happen to notice the Harbor Pond Post has its own website now? Comment if you like it!
