A Cape January 2014

Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat. ~Author Unknown

January Face

Yes, I know everyone's tired of the Polar Vortex, but there are still a few unabashed snow lovers out here.  Remember, beach weather will be here in a few short months, but meanwhile, forgive me if I indulge in an exquisite walk through National Seashore trails where the peaceful quiet is unparalleled.  The contrast of fiery, orange sunsets on the deep shadows of snow is stunning.  The bunnies and deer are all tucked away in thickets and couldn't care less about my intrusion.  An owl "who-hoots" as he considers breakfast.  I have successfully avoided working on taxes for another afternoon.

Fort Hill-the antidote for doing taxes

And, just to prove I'm not the only one who enjoys winter weather, I share with his permission, pictures of our guest, James, working on next year's holiday card at Coast Guard Beach.  James wasn't fazed by Hercules, The Blizzard, and was drawn to our Cottage fireplace like a beacon in a storm.  We were wicked-impressed.

Merry Frostbite!

You're probably thinking there couldn't possibly be anything going on here in January, but you would be wrong.  Dead wrong.  When Ron got an invitation to participate in this year's 4th Annual 24 Hour Play Festival in Provincetown, he thought it would be a good idea to hone his craft, meet some new people and hopefully have a good time.  This brilliant idea matches a group of writers, directors and actors, and divides them into groups based on drawing names from a hat.  Once the writers see who their actors are and the mystery props that they must incorporate into their play are unveiled, they have until the next morning to submit an original ten page play.  The director and actors then have until 8 p.m. to rehearse lines and block movements before presenting the work to an audience.  Granted, not all actors were off book by then, but it was a very forgiving audience, ready to have some fun on a chilly night.  The rope, orange and flashlight props were put to good use and dark comedy ruled the evening.  We're a little afraid Ron may be getting typecast as a dead man, but at least they're funny dead men.

Ron in Perfect Love    

and, maybe not so dead?

To view the play: Perfect Love, by Arthur Egeli

Dead is also the chance for the Superbowl for the New England Patriots, soundly beaten by the Denver Broncos only one game away.  We are surely disappointed, but still proud of our boys for coming so far.  The flag flies until the end of the season.   

An unhappy, Tom Brady congratulates the formidable Peyton Manning

No sooner than the remains of Hercules had been scraped, plowed and almost washed away,  "Blizzard II" came on the scene, covering us with another one to two feet of snow, the depth depending on how the winds blew.  We're not sure why this one had no name, but considering the recurring Canadian Clippers on the weather map, "B-II" will most likely be with us into February.  Our generator saves us from joining the water and battery brigades in the stores, but our number one blizzard chore is to make sure the bird feeders are all full.  There is usually a feeding frenzy just before a storm and the feeders are the popular hangout, even mid-blizzard.  We certainly wouldn't want to disappoint them.

Laziest excuse for a snowman, ever.

Two minutes worth of:  BLIZZARD II                       

                        

January's half-dozen B&B guests came for quick winter getaways.  Most stayed close to the fireplace and hot chocolate, but a group of professional photographers braved the gusty cold to add some winter beachscapes to their portfolios.  

The tip of the month is "layers".  Cheers!    
  

2014 - Hercules, Super Storm

A friend of mine told me early this Fall that she heard it would be a wicked winter.  When we had flurries a few times in November, I started to think she might be right.  But, the winter solstice was so mild people brought their shorts back out.  It was a short- lived prelude to a snowy Christmas & New Year's Eve, followed by HERCULES, the first super-storm of 2014.  But, even Hercules didn't stop visitors from traveling to the Cape.  Our Cottage with the gas fireplace continues to be a sought out cozy and safe haven to ride out whatever the Nor'east winds bring us.  

With warnings to stay inside out of the wind chill, I reveled in window views.  But with guests on the way, I had the perfect excuse to get out and shovel some paths.  Ron also gave the new plow a workout, which was plenty of exercise, but a lot easier than the snowblower, which now resides with new owners in Boston.  Thank you, Hercules, for helping to justify that expense so quickly.  

So, a wicked winter?  We're off to a good start:     

Hercules, Superstorm 2014

2013 - Holidazed

WE DID IT!  

The 2013 holidays for better, or worse are history.  When I mentioned traditions in last month's blog, I forgot one - germs.  By this time of year, they are prevalent and without the constant maintenance to my immune system that working at an elementary school used to provide, I was an easy target.  Not a slave to grandiose holiday plans anyway, I warned my incoming family guests that they could still come at their own risk, and we just let the days take shape on their own.  I managed to keep food available and dishes washed, but the rest is somewhat blurry.  

It would have taken much more than a snuffly nose to keep me from picking up my son, Doug in Hyannis.  And, my sister, Robin and nieces Marah & Marta are used to doing their own thing when they're here.  I do regret not feeling like going exploring with them, but even though the spirit was willing, the body was definitely not.  Our son, Sean and his significant other, Amanda & four year old, Loreli spent a couple of nights with us, too.  We also hosted B&B guests in the Cottage so there was a lot of coming and going logistics for which I mostly kept a low profile.  As far as I'm concerned, the definition of logistics on a good day could be "pushing jello up a hill". 

So, this is what the holidays at Crosswinds looked like for 2013:

The cutest nieces EVER.
As Ron pointed out, you only need half the furniture for these two.

Loreli being Loreli

Sean & Amanda being lovey

The Patriots won!

Sean & Doug playing Pandemic

Enjoying the Yule log with my Sis before the fireplace screen broke.
Maybe chair sharing runs in the family.

Doug took a new profile picture for us.

We had the best holiday decorations that anyone could wish for - it snowed all day Christmas Eve and again on New Year's Eve, covering everything with a delicate, white blanket.  Yes, the holidays are over, the house is once again quiet and it's officially winter with another storm, new, glass fireplace doors and more B&B guests on the way.  We hope everyone was pleased with the way their holidays went, or at the very least relieved that they have another whole year before they happen again.  New Year's cheers to all!