2013 Dazzling Decked-Out December

Eastham Town Hall - bedecked

"Knock, knock, who's there?"  

The thing that keeps being an innkeeper so fascinating is not only the people one meets, but the circumstances for their visits.  In November, we hosted college students on study- getaways from Boston & NYC.  Another couple from Boston expecting their second child took a "last hurrah" trip before infancy claimed all their time again.  Relatives of one of our Cape friends visiting for Thanksgiving have declared us their new home away from home.  A wife gifted her husband a solo meditation retreat from their home in NYC.  There were sightseers from Toronto and upstate New York and musicians from Maine visiting friends.  And, we had two sets of old friends meeting "halfway", one pair from California and Maine, and the other from Oregon and Ireland.  Each month is full of new faces, stories and surprises.

Eastham Fire Department - bedecked

This may be off-season, but that doesn't rule out neighborhood news.  Residents and visitors alike were recently cautioned to avoid feeding the coyotes in the National Seashore, as they have taken to begging in the parking lots and their behavior is not as respectful as the family pet.  

NOT Fido

And, this dramatic news from the Cape Cod Times:

EASTHAM — MISSING: 

A giant turnip stolen from the Nauset Regional High School garden disappeared on Sunday, sometime between 9 a.m. and about 4 p.m., just weeks before 11-year-old Aidan Handville was supposed to present the tuber for the Nov. 23 Eastham Turnip Festival's turnip weight-guessing contest.  Volunteer gardener David Handville, Aidan's dad, wants it back, no questions asked.  "It's as big as a basketball but shaped like a football," Handville said. "It was like a family pet," he added.  As the weeks before harvest progressed, Handville and his four sons would visit the turnip. They watered it. They nurtured it. They had big plans for it.  When other lesser tubers began to go missing in the last few weeks, Handville began to put up signs asking the turnip truants to just leave the giant one alone.  "It's for the turnip fest," Handville wrote on one sign.  But it did no good. Someone plucked the turnip away, Handville said.  "It's pretty shameful."

But the festival went on and an estimated 500-600 people packed the Nauset Regional High School cafeteria to celebrate the Eastham Turnip with activities including the Turnip Cook-off, a shuck-off (how fast can you peel a turnip?), Turnip Bowling, Mr. Turnip Head Contest, Turnip weight-guessing, Turnip themed poetry, Turnip Topper Hat Decoration, and Magical Mystery Turnip (your favorite Beatles tune with your original turnip-themed lyrics).  This year's favorite entry in the cook-off was Maple Turnip Ice Cream, followed by Turnip Thyme Muffins in second place, and Eastham Turnip Pie in third.  

Eastham Windmill - bedecked

I recently overheard someone in the grocery line ask their friend, "What idiot would move to Cape Cod in the winter?"  I was tempted to raise my hand, but thought better of interrupting their conversation.  This month marks the 4th anniversary of our harrowing trip from Virginia and there's no place like home.  For us, winter is a giddy time of year where one revels in quiet roads, small town camaraderie and sometimes beautiful snowy decorations.  

Our 2009 welcome to Cape Cod

For the saga go to:  North to Eastham Part I

Cape winters have busy intersections of another kind.

2013 Critter Report:

The bluebirds are back for their second winter appearance.

A total of 72 squirrels, 19 chipmunks and 4 weasels have been safely relocated. There are always plenty more, but at least these particular guys aren't starting new families here. 

Bob on critter-watch

Signs that it's December:

It's that time of year when our friend, Chandler Travis puts on his Annual Christmas Cavalcade, to help local food pantries and the homeless shelter in Hyannis.  This is his 10th one and if there's a local band you like, they will probably be there.  Each contributes a song or two and it's an incredible evening of talent and fun.

Sample from last year:  "Santa I Want a Goat for Christmas" 

The consignment shops are having final sales and closing for the holidays.  Out with the old stuff, time to spruce up the shops, and membership starts fresh again later in the winter.

The model train village is up and running at Snow's Department Store.

Instead of surfboards and kayaks, there are trees strapped to cars.

The Christmas Tree Shops are actually selling Christmas items.

The Eastham Chamber of Commerce hosted an annual, free holiday festival for the children with Santa, pony rides, pizza, gifts and a lot of fun activities.

Ron is growing his annual chin-warmer.

Guests are coming, both to the B&B and family.

Lots of flurries. 

Lights, lights, everywhere.

The Winter Solstice.
   

Harwich cranberry bogs - bedecked

Holiday traditions come and go depending on circumstances, but one I fondly look back on was teaching my son the joy of sharing good fortune with others.  By every December, his room was bursting with toys, clothes and miscellaneous items.  I suggested that he choose the things that he no longer found exciting or useful and put them in a box to share with the needy, thus making room for the new gifts he was always fortunate to receive.  Win-win.    
    

Another holiday tradition - pictures with the cousins.  I found that if they were all asked to make their worst faces, the picture after that one usually turned out very well.  But, I always loved the silly pictures best.

Since I'm told that "Happy Holidays" has somehow become a politically incorrect "attack on Christmas", I am adopting my friend's salutation, Merry Everything!  Please take it in the genuine spirit with which it was offered and have a, well, you know, a merry everything.