2012 - November Thankful Musings

Post-Sandy calm in Chatham

Although the roses are still blooming, the walk to the mailbox is ankle-deep in crunchy leaves and the air finally has a chill.   Snow's department store has the first of the model trains set up and running for the upcoming holidays.  The rules for the Turnip Festival Cook-off have been posted.  Turkeys are a prominent decorating theme.  It's November on Cape Cod.  

Brewster color

As many communities begin the long process of trying to restore order after Superstorm Sandy, I was recently reminded of how critical one's attitude is towards dealing with adversity.  I don't often share guest's details, but I think Claire's point of view is worth relating.  The weekend prior to Superstorm Sandy, she had a prior reservation with us to celebrate her birthday on the Cape.  Though the storm wasn't due for a couple more days, broad bands of gloom and doom were already overspreading the area.  No sooner than our guests had checked in and driven into town to explore and stock up on weekend supplies, they dislodged their muffler on a curb and had to be towed back to the B&B.    We told them about the local bus system and how to walk up the street to the start of the national seashore at Fort Hill, and were even able to hook them up with our fisherman friend to get some luscious, large lobsters for their dinner.  While "the boys" went to get the lobsters, it quickly became apparent from chatting with Claire that it takes more than a little change of plans to rattle her.  I learned that as a journalist, she had previously worked in Asia, and most recently lived in Syria before the country's unrest became too dangerous to continue there.  So, being stuck on Cape Cod with a broken car in the path of a hurricane, in her mind translated to being nestled in a cozy cottage eating lobster within walking distance of the seashore.  Or, in short, as my grandfather used to say, "it could always be worse."  My heart goes out to all the people displaced by Sandy and I wish them all, at the very least, the ability to feel that sentiment deeply because I know Claire and my grandfather were right about that one.

Eastham's fancy decoration

With the elections finally over, I find myself musing about something and it's nothing as mundane as the electoral college or whether the Obama girls should get a second dog.  I've always found the ability to laugh at oneself a helpful quality, and going one step further, to share in the humor about my candidate(s) of choice.  With all the vitriol that campaigning has become, I welcome whatever levity comes my way.  The media has been rich with political humor, some of which I forwarded to friends if it tickled my funnybone.  It occurs to me that I didn't see any cleverly amusing emails about any Democrats.  John Stewart, one of the biggest liberals on t.v. took plenty of pokes at Obama when the opportunity presented itself.  So why, I wonder, did I not receive any humorous emails poking fun at the Democrats?  Perhaps the take-away from my musings could be that humor has the potential to be more effective than malicious mudslinging. Regardless, the high point of the election for us, other than the outcome, was meeting our Democratic candidate for Senate at a campaign rally we attended on a whim.  In fact, we were standing next to and met her entire family.  It was a real Tip O'Neal moment.  (For those not familiar:  "Politics begins at home".)  

The incredible Elizabeth Warren

Speaking of humor, Eastham-sters have it when it comes to our claim to fame, the best turnips ever.  This year's theme for the annual Turnip Festival is "Turnips, Eastham's Buried Treasure".  This year's contests include turnip shucking, a Mr. Turnip Head decorating station and a trivia contest called "Are you Smarter than an Eastham Turnip?"  The cooking contest will be judged by a state senator, the director of the Chamber of Commerce and a local restaurant owner.  The festival wouldn't be complete without an elementary school turnip art exhibit, some turnip history and folktales, a juggler (probably turnips) and the "Blessing of the Turnips".    

On the subject of our Thanksgiving on the Cape, I know that Norman Rockwell-like pictures of groaning tables and bowed heads come to mind, but the reality is quite different with us.  The B&B is open for business for other non-traditionalists who wish to design their own holidays.  This year's holiday escapees are from Boston.  The closest thing to a turkey dinner we'll see are the ones we helped to give out for the Lower Cape Outreach Council.  This year, we're in the mood for either Thai food or the new Mexican restaurant that just opened, with a homemade pumpkin pie for dessert.  As for a real Thanksgiving, we really do celebrate that every day just by acknowledging how extremely grateful we are to be here.  Wishing all my readers a holiday that tickles your heart and makes you glad to be alive. 

A Pleasant Bay day