Bumper sticker madness in Chatham, Massachusetts.
1. We became kayakers. Well, maybe more accurately, we bought kayaks. We had been pondering the matter for quite a while, and took the plunge. We have lots of quiet waters to kayak on: Great Pond; Green Pond; Eel Pond; Bourne’s Pond; Child’s River; Waquoit Bay; etc. Looking for some exercise and relaxation. The Kayak Shop in Monument Beach was our source. Very helpful and patient with out novice questions. First impression: fun, a workout, directional stability a challenge for the beginner.
2. Daughter and son-in-law are off for a getaway in Maine. We have Babycakes here, and she’s delightful as always. To the beach. To another beach. To the playground. To the aquarium in Woods Hole. She’s got enough energy to solve the “crisis.”
3. We took a jaunt up to Chatham to go on a boat to Monomoy Island to see the seals. These are grey seals, the males get up to 800lbs. I learned that all pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) share a nasty pathogen. The tour guide called it a “flesh eating bacteria.” Apparently a disease from this used to be called “seal finger” because the hands would get infected from handling seals, their carcasses, and even the bones. Amputation of fingers often followed. Cuddly.
4. It’s been foggy quite a bit lately, and we are serenaded by the Nobska Light foghorn. Even if there is no fog here at the house there often is out over Vineyard Sound, and thus the almost incessant blowing. It’s not loud here at the house, and I find it oddly peaceful.
5. We’ve been doing a sort of ad hoc clam chowder tasting tour as we get around. So far we’ve sampled the chowder at the Quarterdeck in Falmouth, Fishmonger in Woods Hole, the Clam Shack in Falmouth, the Lobster Trap in Monument Beach, and the Impudent Oyster in Chatham. Tonight was to be the Silver Lounge in North Falmouth (or perhaps that’s West Falmouth). My Honey and Babycakes will definitely get to try it, less likely for me because I’m waiting for some painters. The Silver Lounge got a high chowder rating from Cape Cod Life.
6. My gardens are prospering. We have a lot of roses. The dahlias look like they are happy, and have plenty of buds. The day lilies are coming into bloom. The variegated willow is stunning (although the showy stuff is leaves, not flowers, I think. We have cool stuff blooming I don’t even have a name for.
7. The bird feeders are getting plenty of business. I have to refill one of them about every two days. It is the easiest to access for the birds, so they gorge there, and then when it is low or empty, go to the other two feeders. Flying piglets. Goldfinches, House Finches, sparrows, titmousies, chickadees, and even the odd woodpecker, bluejay, or cardinal (the latter are not usually feeder eaters, more deck eaters. I hope to get good pictures when they stop being shy of me. Already when I go out to water the hanging plants they are pretty cheeky.
8. I scored tickets to see Ani DiFranco in Hyannis later this month. The show was sold out a couple of years ago when she was there. I am eagerly anticipating seeing what sort of wildlife shows up to constitute the bulk of the audience.
9. I’ve been trying to avoid the news lately. The “press” just do a godawful job, and I am over the political race. Obama now is starting his pandering to religious groups and says he’ll outdo Mr. Bush with the “faith based” crap. Jerk.
10. Geez, I’m running out of gas. Okay, here’s #10: summer reading. I’m working on Al Gore’s The Assault on Reason. I already read Joh Clinch’s Finn (a tale of Huck Finn’s father); Chris Bohjalian’s The Double Bind; Diana abu-jaber’s Origin, Michael Ondaatje’s Divisadero, and Orhan Pamuk’s Snow. Oh, I forgot, the book about the Dust Bowl, The Worst Hard Time, which I discussed briefly in a prior post. I’m a readin’ fool
