title: Time before the boat: A collection of letters about island life
author:  Alta Ashley 
description: " Closing exercises" dousing fires, fixing drains, disposing of garbage have been completed and now there is time before the boat for me to bring you news agina from Monehegan.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  ![image](../images/9780062334060_Cover.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![images](../images/title.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ![images](../images/f0ii.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ## [Dedication](nav.xhtml#rded)
  
  
  
  
  
  ![](../images/ded1.jpg)
  
  
  ![](../images/ded2.jpg)
  
  
  For Stan Parish, always _Down the Shore_ —H. P.
  
  
  For Laura and Craig—you went above and beyond. Thank you!—L. A.
  
  
  ![](../images/ded3.jpg)
  
  
  ![](../images/ded4.jpg)
  
  
  ![](../images/ded5.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ##  ![](../images/toc.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * [Dedication](9780062334060_Dedication.xhtml#ded)
  
  
  * [Chapter 1: Causeway? ’Cause Why? ![](../images/toc1.jpg)](9780062334060_Chapter_1.xhtml#ch1)
  
  
  * [Chapter 2: Happy Birthday Suit ![](../images/toc2.jpg)](9780062334060_Chapter_2.xhtml#ch2)
  
  
  * [Chapter 3: Rules of the _Nautical_ Road](9780062334060_Chapter_3.xhtml#ch3)
  
  
  * [Chapter 4: A Job for Metal Man!](9780062334060_Chapter_4.xhtml#ch4)
  
  
  * [Chapter 5: Smooth Sale-ing](9780062334060_Chapter_5.xhtml#ch5)
  
  
  * [Chapter 6: Pearl Comes Out of Her Sh