Swimming in the Bay Surrounded by Beautiful Hibiscus

Everyday Life, Memories, Scenic Photography
This back yard is where we swam from into the Bay. So lucky!

Had a great relaxing Sunday. Went down to the Fairhaven beach house again and swam in the bay at low tide this time. I find it so much better, you avoid all the rocks at the shoreline and once past that it’s smooth sailing all the way out with a perfect slow incline and you can go out quite a ways before you’re up to your neck – similar to Skaket but not as flat as that. Plus there were some waves which was awesome. Not enough yo bowl you over or anything, but felt just right to me. The best part though is that no one else is there so it’s like you have to whole ocean to yourself. Truly magical and feel so blessed and lucky to have the opportunity be able to experience it. Beautiful this time of year with all the hibiscus plants everywhere in full bloom also. Our friend has done a really spectacular job with her property and deserves full props.

Afterwards we went to the Adirondack chair place and ended up getting two cute teal ones that they just happened to be on sale and wanted to get rid of. We left them at the beach house since they wouldn’t fit in the car as it currently is so we’ll have to go back to pick them up, which is perfect, because that means we’ll get to go down there again! Hehehe!

We had a couple of Little Libraries while in the area. I didn’t fins anything good but I was able to unload just about all the remainder of the books we wanted to get rid of. We left a couple of locations still on the list for next time to check out.

Coming home we were wiped out, after swimming and being in the sun all day (it was only supposed to be a morning stay, but as usual, time flew and didn’t leave until late afternoon/early evening). I cooked up some Juicy Lucy Cheddar burgers for LD and I as she was too tired so I took the lead on this one. I daresay I did pretty good on this one! To finish out the night I watched two new episodes of Autopsy.

I think tonight I’m going to have to bring some stuff in from the back deck for safekeeping. We have a storm coming our way and I don’t want anything that could fly away, flying away in the winds. Oh, and I lied about making those cocktails, the last two days I was going to but ended up just being too tired, shooting for tonight though!

Pineapple Coolers

Cape Cod, Everyday Life, Food, Memories, Scenic Photography, Wildlife
Baby seal testing the waters, Chatham, MA

Still in a Cape Cod mood so tonight I’m brewing up some Pineapple Coolers. I think the little guy above might approve. Here’s the recipe:

  • 4 cups Pineapple Chunks, chilled
  • 1.5 cups ice
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/4 cup coconut milk
  • 1/3 cup rum

Combine all in a blender and blend until smooth. Add more ice for thicker frozen cocktail. More mixture into glasses and garnish with a pineapple round, lime wedge, and sprig of mint.

We got a lot of things today! Got rid of a lot of old books that were on the bookcase in the den and deposited them in a couple of Little Libraries about town, moved the new freezer into the unfinished part of the basement (after cleaning it up and making some room/neater) and other miscellaneous things. Planning to cook some steaks on the grill for tonight’s dinner after which I will imbibe on the Pineapple Coolers.

Gracie At It Again

Everyday Life, Gardening, Scenic Photography, Wildlife
Follow the path.

Well, while bringing some groceries in the house this morning, I happened to notice Gracie (the Goddess of the Garden) with a bunch of straw in her mouth out front by the mailbox. You know what that means! Looks like little Gracie might be having some more ‘lil bunz‘! It appears this time she seems to be hanging underneath the lilac bushes out front – not as accessible a spot to watch as the flowerpot on the back deck.

In celebration I decided to add Lil Bunz to the store.

Ten About Me

Everyday Life, Memories
Reading and the sea. Two things I love.

Figured now was a good time to (re)introduce myself since I’ve gotten some new followers over the last few weeks, so here’s ten random facts about me!

  1. I was recently laid off from a career that spanned 30 years. I had done many different things like making PDFs ADA compliant for reading impaired folks and running some databases but for the bulk of my career I was cartographer and made maps and diagrams for various environmental reports, using CAD and GIS, some which are now residing in the Library of Congress. I’m trying to figure out my next steps but I definitely want to go into a new direction, do something different, and am trying to find my way. (Not much luck so far).
  2. I can do a really good Boston accent, which I suppose isn’t that amazing seeing as I grew up in Somerville, and my family still lives there.
  3. My favorite cuisine is Italian, but I could eat plain cheese pizza everyday.
  4. I have 1 sibling, a sister, who is the total opposite of me.
  5. I have had a bunch of nicknames over the years, but the one that stuck the longest was just simply “B.”
  6. My 1st car was a 1979 Ford LTD 2 (very similar to the one that Starsky and Hutch drove on television) that I bought for 300 dollars. It ended up getting totaled and when I was given the hood ornament after, I cried. I’m very sentimental.
  7. One of my favorite pastimes is studying ancient Egyptology. Anything Ancient Egypt fascinates me.
  8. My celebrity crush was Lauren Graham (or more accurately her character Lorelei Gilmore).
  9. I only like to read non-fiction. I find the true tales crazier than anything anyone could make up. I’ll buy a book if I read a review or description that sounds really interesting to me but as a side jaunt I like to discover various Little Libraries among the various places I visit to see whats there and maybe read something I would have never thought of to read.
  10. My latest favorite hobby is photography. I’m trying to get into it a bit more and starting to take it a bit more seriously. Trying to get a side hustle of it going but it’s tough.

Well that’s just ten. Tell me something about yourself you’d be willing to share.

Hot and Cold

Everyday Life, Gardening, Memories, Scenic Photography
The purple hibiscus I planted about a month ago, has started to bloom!

I drove over the a Home Depot in Mansfield this morning and picked up a small freezer that LD purchased for use as backup and will be stored in the basement. She wants to be prepared should things go south in the fall, but I suppose it’s good to have a backup anyway – just to have. It’s really hard to find these on sale, everyone has been scooping them up so a lot of the time they’re sold out.

I finally was able to set up a RMV license renewal time slot at the local AAA. They’ve been pretty booked 2 weeks out all through the summer but now I finally got a placement. Going to go ahead and get the REAL ID stuff done, even though I don’t anticipate flying or entering any federal buildings anytime soon. It would just be nice to get it out of the way I feel. I hope I have all the documents I will need, I think I do but I’m unsure if there are any forms that need to be filled out beforehand. I couldn’t find any on the RMV site. I suppose worst-case-scenario I can always just make another appointment, they’ve delayed the deadline for a while off.

I then went to the propane place and got the gas grill propane tank refilled, as we’ve been grilling quite a bit these days and the gas was dwindling down.

I was pleased to see that the hibiscus are starting to flower. I tried growing some last year but for whatever reason it didn’t survive so I’m hoping this guy does better overall. It’s some light purple variety which I thought was a little unique, they’re usually a darker purple or white from what I’ve seen.

I’ve seen Grace, the mother bunny out on the lawn tonight while I was grilling. I asked her where her baby might be, but no reply. Also what I thought was milkweed in the gardens is actually pokeweed so I’ll be removing those tomorrow – not the same thing.

Mom and Cub

Cape Cod, Everyday Life, Memories, Scenic Photography, Wildlife
Seal Mother with her cub.

A mother’s love is instinctual, unconditional, and forever.

The story behind the photo: Not sure if I ever posted this one before from a time I explored Monomoy Island off the coast of Chatham. Got really lucky to catch this scene! As the boat neared the spit I happened the catch this instant of a mom and her cub sharing a moment. It didn’t last long for sure. Just after this all these other seals showed up and alit on the spit as well and I’ve uploaded that picture previously. I actually have a lot of pics from that day, but this has to be one of the best, to my mind. I wish I had had a better camera when I took this but it still came out pretty good. Apparently foggy cloudy days might be the best time to see them? I don’t remember if the tide was coming in or out but as I recall this was quite a ways out from shore. I should see if I can dig out the GPS data I took that day.

It was very hot today, the car thermometer read 105 degrees at one point when I needed to run an errand this afternoon. Later in the evening, I spent a good 30-45 minutes watering all the various plants outside in the garden. Keeping up this stuff is a lot of work, but I find it rewarding.

Keep the Memories

Cape Cod, Everyday Life, Gardening, Memories, Scenic Photography

 “Sometimes even a thousand waves hitting the shore continuously one after the other also can’t erase few footprints on the seashore.”

Looks like the little bunny left as I no longer see him around. Sad. I did notice he ate all the Kale that was growing before he left, but I’m okay with that. That little growing body needs lots of Iron! Good luck little guy! Come visit once in a while!

Currently reading a book on Chatham by a native that lived his whole life there into his 80s. So interesting to read about how it looked to him as a boy and the retellings from his father and grandfather, and who related to them the times from their parents and grandparents. Amazing how much a place can change in a hundred years time or so. I bet a lot of it would be unrecognizable to those folks now – not sure if they would approve. I couldn’t add it to my Goodreads because it’s some local publication and isn’t in the database, although it does have an ISBN number.

All this beach time the last few days has made me want to paint a beach scene on a seashell. I will attempt to do that tomorrow. Maybe a coastal scene with a sailboat and lighthouse (if I can even fit that all on there and hope it doesn’t come out looking like ass). We’ll see. Got the idea from seeing some done by somebody on a revisit to the Eddy trail hike we did one more time yesterday, this time at low tide, so I could see the change over the flats. I’d have to say that it had become my favorite hiking trail on the Cape. Amazing how completely different a place can look – very unique place that only exists right there and no where else on the planet.

I want to make some Pineapple Cooler cocktails, I have all the ingredients except for coconut milk. Unrelated, I also need to find a place where I can buy some Chocolate Snakeweed that I want to plant in the garden as it’s a good at attracting pollinators. I’ve been uprooting the milkweed that has a tendency to grow around here but am thinking I might leave them alone this time as their blooms attract Monarch Butterflies supposedly.

I know this is sort of a rambling entry. Just trying to get some ideas down out of my head. Finally I’ve added the Linnell Landing shot at sunset to the store.

Visiting Nauset

Cape Cod, Everyday Life, Memories, Reading, Scenic Photography
Nauset Light

Today was another full day. Well, actually slept in for a bit but in the afternoon tooled around Chatham hitting Little Libraries around town. I actually was able to find some good future reading I think, a book on Whitey Bulger and another book written by a Chatham native talking about growing and living there over the decades. Also found an original Winnie the Pooh edition book by Milne which I grabbed for LD. Unfortunately we also learned that one of the eating establishments here had to close due to an employee getting Covid. We had eaten a pizza from there a couple of days ago (take out) but hopefully we’ll be alright. I have no reason to believe that we won’t as I was only in there for a minute and had a mask on and the counter people also did and had gloves etc. and the employee supposedly wasn’t customer facing or handling food so they say. The news mentioned tonight that a bunch of people went to a party a couple of weeks ago, and most of them just happen to work at restaurants in the area. On top of that, although unconfirmed, it may have been one of those Covid parties that kids are having. If that ends up being true then that is truly terrible, putting everyone at risk, and they should all be fired and maybe more. I just don’t get why these kids don’t seem to get the danger of this thing and the fact that they’ll spread it to more vulnerable people.

It looked like rain might be coming in during the late afternoon, but it actually held out as we went down to Skaket and went into the water for a little bit of a swim in the bay. The tide was going out so for quite a ways the water was only up to my knees but that’s okay with me. It was a good time to go since most folks had already left for the day so being socially distant wasn’t any problem.

To wrap up we headed over to Nauset Beach and then Nauset Light. This is actually a famous Cape landmark and is the lighthouse depicted on those Cape Cod chip bags if you didn’t know. I did not know however that it is the most photographed lighthouse on the Cape. I walked around the light trying to get a specific angle that I don’t think most people shoot from – trying for something a little unique.

There were actually a lot of seals playing in the surf here tonight and we watched their heads bop up and down into the water for a while, floating and darting beneath the waves as the sun was setting, bathing the sky in blue and pink colors.

Full Day

Cape Cod, Everyday Life, Memories, Scenic Photography
Waiting for high tide.

I’ll fill this entry in better later on but today ended up being a pretty full day. Started off the day with a hike in Kenrick Woods. We then spent afternoon in Chatham where I walked the Lighthouse Trail which basically is just along the shoreline (my favorite spot – the water and sand are so pristine and clear! Pictures forthcoming) and then connected up and explored a little bit of Morris Island, where unfortunately LD obtained a pretty big bug bite. Ended the early evening with a trip over to Linnell Landing where I took some more sunset shots.

Back to It

Cape Cod, Everyday Life, Memories, Scenic Photography

Back on the Cape now, lunch in Sandwich by the canal, taking sunset photos at Harding’s Beach in Chatham (there was also some kind of modeling shoot going on there with two photogs in a woman in a bikini taking shots in the water, maybe for swimwear modelling?) and take out pizza tonight from a place called The Talkative Pig since we were near the location of that establishment.

This morning we walked the Kenrick Woods for a little bit.

Lil’ Buns

Everyday Life, Memories, Scenic Photography, Wildlife
Baby Bunny on the deck.

This is one of the baby bunnies that were born on the back deck in a flowerpot of Dianthus. I’ve currently nicknamed this little guy ‘Lil Buns’ but maybe Diane or Diana would be a better name? Open to suggestions! We were pleased that we were able to get to see him/her. We’ve had baby bunnies in the yard before but never so close and in a flowerpot on the back deck of all places!

Every so often Mom would come up and rearrange her fur in the pot and it was then that I knew we had something special happening. It’s mother, who’ve we named Gracie (full name – Gracie, the Goddess of the Garden. Source: Ladydoc), was seen hanging around the lawn as well. This little creature is sooo cute and I’m so glad that Gracie felt so safe as to give birth to it in our flowerpots. Luckily it can actually hide under the pots that are on coasters and I assume Gracie comes up to feed it occasionally.

Three Hikes in One

Cape Cod, Everyday Life, Memories, Scenic Photography

This morning we hiked around Mill’s Pond, saw a seal there. Then over to Fort Hill and hiked that, noticed a lot of different birds and butterflies which was cool – I also hiked the Red Maple Swamp (and I may do that again) which comes out of the woods in front of Capt. Penniman’s House.

Looks like they did the place over. Unfortunately the whale bones to the entrance have been removed, but I photographed them in 2014.

Waders Next Time

Cape Cod, Everyday Life, Memories, Scenic Photography, Wildlife
Paine’s Creek, Brewster, MA

Time to give an update since the last entry. After the hike over at Kent’s Point we hit a couple of little libraries in the area but I still came up empty on any good books that I might want to read. Will keep trying though – usually get some good stuff down here. Hit the Hole-In-One for lunch and chocolate glazed donuts.

Later in the afternoon we went down to the pool and cooled off a bit with a little dip. During this time we learned back at home that the baby bunnies (of which there appear to be two) are hopping around on the back deck and hiding under pots! I hope we’ll get a chance to see them before they take off but if not, I hope they lead a safe and productive life. Figures they would pick this week to decide to get out of their mother’s home and explore!

We decided to head down to Paine’s Creek for tonight’s sunset shots. It’s actually one of my favorite places to shoot down here – I’ve gotten lots of great shots from here over the years and every sunset is completely different. All the times I’ve been here though I had never been when it was low tide (go figure). So I was able to get some interesting shots further out into the bay than I normally do. So I walked out there quite a ways to get some shots, including the one above, which I think came out okay. I should have paid a little more attention to my surroundings however because when I turned to head back, some of the water had come in and I needed to wade through the water to get back to the parking lot, so my sneakers and pant legs were soaked and caked in some mud. Hopefully those will dry out by tomorrow. Finished with a quick takeout dinner of fish tacos from a place called Guapo’s.

Every day so far down here we’ve been able to fill up pretty well, considering in the weird times we’re currently living through. Tomorrow morning I think we’re going to try to hike over at a place called Mill’s Pond.

Kent’s Point

Cape Cod, Everyday Life, Memories, Scenic Photography
Rock at the entrance to the trail.

Did an early hike this morning over to a place called Kent’s Point. This land contains more than a mile of undeveloped shoreline, and fronts on Lonnie’s Pond, Little Pleasant Bay and Frost Fish Creek. The main trail to the former Kent house site goes up the center of the property leading to a handicapped-accessible boardwalk overlooking The River and the northern portion of Pleasant Bay. We did it early before it got too hot out.

Thumpertown

Cape Cod, Everyday Life, Memories, Scenic Photography

Decided to check out Thumpertown in Eastham tonight. And that’s the shot you see here now as sunset was approaching. It’s a pretty good place to see sunsets. On the way back we grabbed some grub at Arnold’s just before they closed for the night. So day 1 so far was pretty loaded. I hit the grocery store in the AM, we hiked the Eddy Trail to the highest bluff in Brewster, searched a couple of little libraries (nothing good found as of yet – will keep looking at some more throughout the week), LD hit the pool for a little, tried to catch some sunset and dinner from Arnold’s. All in all, not too shabby.

Eddy Trail

Cape Cod, Everyday Life, Memories, Scenic Photography
Reaching the end of the Eddy Bay Trail

We made it to the end of the trail overlooking the bluffs into Cape Cod Bay! This is actually a very nice trail. As for a little history of it here goes. The trail is located on the site of the “planting fields” of the Saquatucket Sachemship and later divisions of farms for the colonists in the 1600’s. The area later served as pasture and tillage for some of Brewster’s leading farming families through the 1800’s. From Lower Road, the path leads past 1870’s barn and house foundations, through a grove of large holly trees, and then pine and oak woodland. The path ends at the highest bluff in Brewster overlooking Cape Cod Bay, which is where this shot was taken! It was currently high tide so the water looks close but I might return at low tide so as to see the miles of tidal flats that appear.

Cape Cod Life

Cape Cod, Everyday Life, Memories, Scenic Photography, Wildlife
Seals off the coast of Chatham, now available for purchase!

I’ve been getting some love on my seal pictures on the Cape Cod Photography page from folks so I decided to put one up for purchase. Nice thing I like about this particular shot is the little baby in the background center. I’d like to get out to this spot again someday. On this particular day I shot this, all the planets aligned and the seals all wanted to rest and came up on this spit that was exposed from being underwater. The weather this particular day was cloudy with a chance of rain and a little windy. Maybe that’s a good time to go see them?

I am currently on the Cape now. It’s definitely different than other times though – wearing the mask, being socially distant. it’s just so weird. More later…

Bunny Baby Progress

Everyday Life, Gardening, Memories, Wildlife
Baby bunny peeking through the mother’s fur nest in the pot on the deck

One thing before I left was taking this picture of the baby bunny (there’s at least one in there!) peeking through the fur that it’s mother had placed on top of it to hide it and keep it warm. I’m hoping to document the entire early life of these guys with luck.

The bunny, or bunnies, are underneath this clump of fur in the corner of the flowerpot on the deck. Very exciting!

Alice and Odds and Ends

Food, GameTime
Such a cute house. I like the little corner window. Sandwich, MA

Here’s a fun little game I discovered called Alice. It took me a little bit to solve all the puzzles but they weren’t too bad.

Also, here’s a cooking tip which you might know already: when you’re done roasting some carrots put lemon zest and some juice from a lemon right on top of them as they come out of the oven – the flavor of the carrot and the lemon, I find, go really good together. Now I’m not much of a carrot eater so this was a new discovery for me anyway but if you’ve never done it – give it a shot next time.

Does anyone else’s CNN channel freeze up every so often for a couple of seconds? Seems to be the only station that does it. Pretty annoying.

More later…

Wait for the Right Moment

Cape Cod, Everyday Life, Memories, Scenic Photography
Rock Harbor, Chatham, MA

Don’t be the sand in my shoe, when you can be the love in my heart.

The story behind the photo: Another sunset night at Rock Harbor, probably one of my favorite places on the Cape. This particular moment was low tide and as you can see, it’s pretty flat out there, you’ll be walking out there for quite a ways before you’ll get to some deeper water. You can see some interesting colored sunsets there depending on the weather conditions. On this particular evening, there was a somewhat purple tint and not a cloud in the sky.

More later…