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It's Bill, 1/12/25: Plough Monday Epiphany

The Tradition of Plough Monday

Yule is come and Yule is gone,

And we have feasted well;

So Jack must to his flail again

And Jenny to her wheel.


The Farmer’s Almanac gently eases us back to work. Traditionally, the first Monday after Epiphany [January 6, 2025] was called Plough Monday because it was the day when men returned to their plough, or daily work, following the Christmas holiday. Old customs included chalking the door and inviting the pastor to bless the home.


Plough Monday in Lubec

Mother Nature left her mark on Downeast Maine and Lubec on Plough Monday. Strong winds with temperatures hovering around zero caused heating systems to fail, pipes to freeze, and vehicles to balk. Rather than a day of returning to work, Monday became a day to have strength and regroup.

In Lubec, Plough Monday became a day of resilience and faith. The following days brought cold but normal weather, and Lubec returned to work.


Progress at Clark’s Folly

Our new lighthouse, Clark’s Folly, under construction, was closed in last week. Now interior work—carpentry, plumbing, heating, and electrical—can continue out of the weather. West Quoddy Station remained unscathed on the frigid Plough Monday; however, nature took its toll elsewhere.

Our builder of 25 years, John Cox of Cox’s Carpentry, experienced frozen, burst pipes early Monday morning. Yes, he had a heater down in the basement for five years but never installed it. Too busy working for others. “The cobbler’s children have no shoes.” John showed up Friday, ready to continue progress.


Clark's Folly lighthouse construction at West Quoddy Station in Lubec, ME
Clark's Folly construction

A Friday Birthday Celebration

Friday was a good day. Not only did we see fine progress at Clark’s Folly, but Friday afternoon brought a lively event. A friend of a friend was having a birthday celebration at Lubec Brewing Co., a must-attend gathering.

Drew brought everyone together to celebrate his friend Hannah’s [a lady carpenter] birthday. Beer, smiles, and snacks filled an adjoining room. One memorable moment involved a misplaced dog. A friend asked her husband, sitting on the couch, “Where’s the dog?” He answered, “Right here,” holding up an empty leash. Whoops. She found her dog in the snack room, walking it back in front of her husband without looking at him—or the couch.


Three friends smiling and enjoying beer at a birthday celebration at Lubec Brewing Co.
Friends celebrating

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