2013 - Mystifying March

Snowy cranberry bogs in Harwich

In like a lion? 

          In like a lamb?  

                    Winter?  

                              Spring?  

                                         M A R C H !

First Snow Drop flower

It's just the mysterious month of March as always with something for everyone.  New England kicked off the month as the recipient of yet another 3-day-long Superstorm.  It crippled the cities with snow and ice, but saved just big winds and slush for the coastline.  After the third big Nor'easter of the winter, our dunes in Eastham are looking sawtoothed and ready for a bigger breach.  With weather like this, not having a direct waterview is more of a comfort than a disadvantage.  I always love a good storm, but after the third straight day of listening to the windows go "whoooooooooooo" and chasing the porch furniture, even I was ready for a break.   The extreme winter didn't stop guests from Seattle and New York from spending a cozy Presidents Day Weekend with us, and couples from Boston and Watertown, MA, Omaha, Nebraska and Bethel, CT joined us for March's preview of the coming season.   

Bird TV, Bob & Tom's favorite channel

No sooner than flipping the calendar to March, we had our first grackle, starling and flicker visits at the suet feeders, and shortly thereafter heard the familiar screech of red wing blackbirds.  They always know what month it is and where they're supposed to be.  The bluebirds left us briefly in protest of the table saw ruckus in the driveway, but they're back to claim their spots.  The flower bulbs are never afraid of a little blizzard either, and I managed to get about 25 bags of mulch down on the gardens while I still had a chance to dodge little heads popping up.  Spring chores begin early.

There's a new Cape Cod bear in town.  After appearing on our kitchen barstool for a couple of days, I finally inquired where he/she came from.  The best I can trace the origins is that someone put him in our friend Ray's truck in the Stop and Shop parking lot.  It then found it's way to Ron's car in our driveway and then to our son's car, who brought it into the kitchen.  I get it.  Since the authorities thought it wise to drug and relocate the real Cape Cod bear last year, someone has created a new bear-spotting game.  He has since moved on to surprise our friend, Jose, and we look forward to hearing about the next siting.

The big news for Crosswinds Bed and Breakfast this month is the renovation of the Cottage.  As impressive as a 4' by 12' closet is, we felt that the space could be better used as part of the main room.  So when the season quieted, Ron put on his carpenter hat and tool belt and created a sleep alcove, adding a sizable space that will accomodate a futon for larger parties.  The cement floor has been replaced with cheerful, blonde wood and a fresh coat of paint has added the finishing touch.  

BEFORE

      Click on the following link to see the AFTER results:  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5nHWCyd9qg

Precious local commodity

I ran into my Beach Plum Jelly 'connection' last week, who has just returned from wintering in Florida.  Sue scavenges the Cape every summer for prime beach plum locations and turns her crop into delicious jellies that are sold to benefit an organization that provides scholarships for women.  She gives me a special price to buy in bulk for the B&B rooms.  I learned last summer that jelly makers will share their frozen beach plum juice with other jelly makers, but they never reveal their picking locations.  It's a precious local commodity and lucky is the one who has "a connection".  

Newly remodeled dunes

Once again, I've been lucky enough to be offered another chance to exhibit some of my photos.  Since this is my second time with the Cape Cod Five, I wanted to do a brand new showing that no one had seen before, so I printed and framed some favorites from London, Copenhagen, Paris and Amsterdam that we'd wanted to hang at home, anyway.  One thing led to another, and I was offered the Artist of the Month spot in June at the Hope Chest, an upscale Consignment Shop, run by the Lower Cape Outreach Council.  This one will be a mixed theme, so I'll be able to print some new favorites to go along with the already exhibited ones.  Considering how many good photographers there are on the Cape, it's so gratifying to be included.  

This has been on my bulletin board for decades.

Finally, yes it's true, I was overheard wishing for "one more good snow" before Spring.  And while yes it's also true that we received about 4" of snow on the last day of winter and about 6" in the first week of Spring, I really can't accept any of the credit for it.  Trust me, if I had the power to do that, there would have been a lot more snow days off from school in Virginia when I was growing up.  So, it's definitely, "in like a lion" this year.  And without it, we couldn't have created our Snow Bunny homage to Spring.

Welcome, Spring!

That was my volunteer parking place.  Going, going...