I meant to say in that earlier blog that our Nice New Neighbour(s) [NNN] are  incomers just as we are. They’ve been on Lewis longer; presumably are a bit wiser.

In some instances, incomers onto the island are called “white settlers”. I have never been certain whether this is a reference to many who arrive with grey hair or whether it is because they behave like colonialists. Or both? Whatever the case, incomers are forever incomers in the eyes of a Lewisian, Leohasach.

I heard from Professor Feb. S. Burns. He has his own theory: God -- in whom this island’s population largely trust and some devoutly so -- may have sent us incomers purely to amuse the native Gaels.

This certainly seemed the case the other day in the local Bernera shop when one locally living English woman complained vehemently and protractedly about another English woman who stays nearby. The person behind the counter heard her out, offered little or no comment, and smiled. And, perhaps comically, some incomers believe that it is the locals who are frequently at each other throats. Now, no doubt long-standing Lewis families have had their problems and disputes, but the Gaelic folk tend to stay schtum about their affairs. Incomers are often noisy.

Not wanting to disappoint those neighbours of mine who were born and raised on the Outer Hebrides, I proceeded to squabble a tiny bit publically with Mr NNN (plus Mrs NNN) over the dead duck incident. In standing my ground, I said a thing or two in a manner that was arguably ill-advised (if possibly entertaining to outside observers).

According to the NNNs, however, there is a “3rd party” who live locally that do not share my views, apparently in regards to hen and duck husbandry. [Probably another incomer, I mutter to myself.] Also according the NNNs, our fowl may create a potential “bio-security hazard” to future endeavours on their croft. I’m not sure what they’re on about and I am not going to pursue it.


biological security risks?

Again Burns was not surprised, reminding me of his rather cruel view that I am only American white trash with an education. So a Hatfields vs McCoys approach is natural for me: in the blood.

Nonsense: I’ve never even been to Kentucky or West Virginia. My kin are from Texas and the upper Midwest; Utah and Boston; rural Finland, Portuguese islands and, um, possibly the Borders and, err, Scotland via Northern Ireland (“Scotch-Irish” in US parlance). Well, I am at least surely separated by a few degrees from white trash, notwithstanding my interest in cold beer and hot chicks.

Anyway, in this matter, a truce has been declared. What does February Burns think of that? Well, using many small-scale wars as a metaphor, he suggests most cease-fires are just opportunities to rearm.

No. ¡Basta! Enough. I shall now simply try to let the matter drop, think nice and positive community-building thoughts (per advice from another Lewis-born-but-gone-a-long-time-before-returning-to-another-part-of-the-island acquaintance), and carry on with more important matters.

Such as putting up our poly tunnels now that our 50% grant from the Crofters Commission has been approved.