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| Here we go, again. |
It always seems as if fur-lined hoods morph suddenly into sun hats, and the scrape of snowplows transforms into the buzzing of bees in the turn of a day. The transition is of course more subtle than that, but we're too busy switching gears to notice the fine details. Suddenly we're taking a break on the back porch glider, admiring the flowers that were under feet of snow, only several weeks ago. Life is magical and begs us to pay attention.
If April was all about showers and flowers, May's distinction could easily be wildlife. Whether the animals are stir-crazy from the snow and ready to kick up their heels, or another more scientific reason, looking out the windows lately has been like the National Geographic channel. Particularly entertaining in early Spring is the dance of the 'nInja' hummingbirds. as two circle each other near the feeder, and then fly straight up like supersonic jets, and repeat this ritual again and again, until someone, other than us, is sufficiently impressed by these antics. In addition to birds aplenty and the usual squirrels, chipmunks and raccoons, there are wild turkeys roaming the yard, and if I hadn't seen it for myself, a fox in the birdbath, which crashed and broke on the dismount. We welcome them all, but this is the fourth time we've had to replace the top on this one. So now, there's also a water dish on the ground for the heavier, four-legged visitors. Fingers crossed.
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| Foxy caught in the act |
Early tourists are the guinea pigs for the new rotary, nearing completion in Orleans. Codders are used to the concept of the round-about, but it can get a little dicey with newbies, and we're all hoping for a peaceful transition as out-of-towner's try their wings on it. The mantra for the return of tourist season, as always, is 'patience', and I'm issuing a summer challenge to let someone go first, at least once a day. You'll feel really virtuous, and with any luck, they will pay it forward, as well. Try it, you could start something good.
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No rotaries for the Orioles.
They come directly to where the jelly and oranges are every year. |
Readers of last month's blog may remember "the brilliant lingonberry" experiment. Well, the seeds arrived, and we should all know by now to never underestimate tiny things. After all, we see the results packaged in luscious jars of preserves, so they had to start somewhere. The seeds are the size and color of a flea, and even jumped like them when I tried to pick them up with tweezers to transfer to the wet paper towel that I used to space them in the planter. Draped with clear plastic to encourage germination and discourage critters, they are next to the raised bed that has been prepared for them, hoping they will sense their grand welcome and be enticed to thrive.
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| Coast Guard Beach, Eastham, MA |
Sometimes rabble rousing pays off. After a big kerfuffle last year about the intentions of the National Seashore to raise the rates for visitors, they backed down and left them as they were. Most visitors this summer won't even be aware while they're wiggling their toes in the sand that locals attended town meetings and wrote letters to the editors to keep our beaches more accessible.
Fishing is something I used to do with my dad when I was little. It's not something I ever thought about doing any other time, and I didn't even like to eat the fish we brought home. Sam taught me how to put a worm on a hook, how to stand patiently on a pier with my finger on the line to feel the bite, and the pleasure of spending time with someone in the fresh sea breeze without saying a word. I do like to eat fish now, but I have no desire to go fishing. I like to read well-written stories, and our friend, Bruce, has a gift, not only for fishing, but writing about his experiences that are interesting even to a non-fisherman, like me. He publishes them on his website:
If you want a taste of real Cape Cod, I encourage you to read some of his stories. And, if you want to catch a big fish, he's your man.
The new Eastham Chamber of Commerce Guide Book is out, and it can also be accessed online. I've been trying to have a photo chosen for the cover for a few years, now. It still hasn't happened, but I must admit, this year's is really nice, and I don't begrudge the judges at all. I did manage to more than double the number chosen this year on the inside. If you get out your magnifying glass, you could find credit for ten of them. It's a little like "Where's Waldo". Or, if you prefer a bigger format, Cape Cod Five in Orleans featured an exhibit of some of my favorite shots on their entrance wall this month. It got good feedback and I'm once again grateful to them for allowing me to share them.
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| May exhibit at Cape Cod Five in Orleans |
With the arrival of Memorial Day weekend, the first guests of High Season are Red Sox fans coming from Utah, and the next couple are taking advantage of a holiday gift certificate purchased for them by their sons. What great kids! We also had guests this month taking advantage of the pre-season rates who came from Canada, Amsterdam, California, Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. Hoping for good weather and safe travels for all. Happy Memorial Day Weekend, and remember to be a mensch on the roads.
