2012 - February Musings

Bird Formation over Salt Pond

The Eastham Superbowl
For years, the Animal Channel has broadcast their version of the Superbowl, featuring puppy sports with a kitty half-time.  You'll understand later why that came to mind.  Now, for people who have no interest in the real game, I'll just say that it was a knucklebiter, but the field logistics were nothing compared to the pre-game planning that went on here. It went something like this:  Ron usually watches football at Chan's or Larry's, but Chan decided to watch with The Shooks, but the Shooks accepted an invitation to watch with someone else, so Chan re-invited Larry, Ron, Patty-O, John, Fred, Bill and Andrea, but he wasn't really sure who would actually show up.  Our friend, Ray wanted to watch with us; then our friend Nancy also wanted to watch with us, but would there be enough room to invite them to Chan's?  We decided to stay home to accommodate Ray & Nancy and extended the invitation to Chandler & Larry for good measure, just in case.  Then, Nancy decided to watch with Al & Cindy and Ray decided to watch at home, in case he fell asleep.  SO, Ron & Andrea ended up at Chan's where they watched with Chan, Larry, Roland, Dugan, Bill, Ann, Marybeth, 8 dogs (Bodie, Madge, Lucky, Freckles, Buttons, Maggie, Weezle, Dexter) and a cat named Helen Girley Brown.  Oh, and the Patriots came really close to winning, but it was almost incidental to our private Puppy Bowl.  

Fort Hill in the Winter

Who Said February's Quiet at the B&B?
Though we're open year-round, we expect February to be rather quiet, so when we heard a loud knock on our kitchen door one Thursday night at 10 p.m., we were surprised, but welcomed a weary traveler.  Little did we know how much more surprised we'd be by the next morning when our unexpected guest once again banged on the door and dumped all of the prepackaged food in her room on our kitchen counter so "it wouldn't kill her".  We quickly discovered that we'd be dealing with a very "special" person, whom we hoped would soon be on her way, but it wasn't to be until she'd made a trip to Town Hall to report the presence of a cobweb in her room to our local health department.  This prompted the legal formality of a very apologetic surprise inspection, where we found out that she'd done the same thing the day before to another B&B.  A few hours later, with the help of our local police, we watched spellbound as her car became a tiny speck on the highway.  We'd never locked our doors until then, but we did that one night.

The next guests were more what we had in mind when we started this enterprise.  They were a young Chinese couple who were in the U.S. for two years teaching Chinese to high school students in CT.  I learned to say 'hello' and 'thank you' in Chinese and took advantage of the translators to finally see what the symbols on my very colorful, red and black earrings said.  "Oh", they squinted, "they say 'very colorful'."  So, now I know.

The following weekend brought the return of the kayakers from upstate NY, this time without the kayak, and also a couple from Western MA looking for some together time.  They were followed the next weekend by two writers from NYC looking for a peaceful break, another couple here to check on their summer cottage in Wellfleet, and a single woman looking for a beach retreat. 

First Encounter Beach in Winter

So Much to Do in the Winter, So Little Time
Laughter has often been credited with being good medicine, but it also made a great Valentine gift this year.  Our W.H.A.T. theatre's venue is small enough for audience/performer interaction, which made for a very interesting and amusing evening with the three stand-up comedians they'd brought in.  Just a couple of weeks later, we splurged on tickets to the musical "Big River" and were once again amazed at the professional talent in this little place.  It's just not possible to be bored on Cape Cod.

Chatham Light Beach

A Chatham Hop-along 
After a recent hitch in my giddy-up had me on crutches for a couple of weeks, I've been forced to eschew my tomboy ways for now, and come up with a kinder and gentler means of exercise.  I can procrastinate with the best when it comes to putting aside projects to take a walk, but if I just take my camera with me, I can usually amuse myself walking for miles while capturing moments to bring home.  Thursdays usually find me in the town of Chatham for consignment appointments and the following is a winter's walk down Main Street, music provided by Dave Brubeck.  

Please click on the link and enjoy:   A Taste of Chatham

Happy Leap Year to all.

2012 - January Musings

The biggest news this month is that the New England Patriots are on their way to the Super Bowl. But, you either already knew that, or you don't follow football or watch the news.  Either way, it's pretty hard to ignore it where I live. 

Wintertime on Fort Hill

January has had weather for everyone, starting the month with a day of delightful "ocean smoke", the flurries that come off of the water regardless of whether it's overcast or sunny.  As delicate snowflakes tickled my face and colored the day with peaceful beauty, I was reminded of the effect that the mention of one snowflake in the media had on my old hometown.  Though it was popular to voice suspicion that grocers and forecasters conspired, the store shelves never failed to empty of bread, milk, water, batteries, salt and shovels each time.  The meteorologists aren't any better with predictions here than anywhere else, a case in point being the mid-month ten inch white-out that put their 1-3" guess to shame.  It was good validation for having invested in the snow blower our first year here, although if we'd waited a couple of days, a drastic warmup would have taken care of it all.  Off came the coats, to the delight of the grumbling winter-haters and it was Spring again.  I've even noticed buds on the lilac tree.  For an easy, no-mess snow experience from the warmth of your home, please click on the following link:  

                                        January Cape Snow

Tom & Bob, our feline boys, have reached a comfortable level of acceptance and routine.  Tommy, the new guy, is feeling quite at home, claiming the top of the sofa as his territorial perch and has at least doubled his weight.  Bobby spends a little more time downstairs on the futon than in his pre-Tom days, but he's usually up for a little "smack and tumble", a stare down, or "let's see what's under the rug".  There's still a little lap competition, but with two cats and two laps, it's usually resolved by distraction.

The consignment stores are reopening after a month off and accepting items for sale again.  The Orleans Community Exchange's goal for this year is 20 scholarships and my staging services are still in demand. I can't say that the urge to collect and sell things has decreased much in my third year, but I'm still honing the art of pickiness.  Winter's not the best time to find things, but around here it's not the worst, either.  I'm continuing to update our wardrobes with free designer clothes, keep the bookshelves stocked with best sellers and find all sorts of useful items I never knew I needed.  Some of my recent bounty for resale: a child's wooden rocker, a covered, painted ceramic pie plate still in the box, twin dolls in a wicker carrying basket, a new kayak cockpit cover and a birdhouse lamp.  The treasures are unpredictable,  never-ending and exciting, and the thank you notes from kids we've helped with college expenses are rewarding.   



Yes, we even get B&B guests in the middle of a snowstorm in January!  Of course, people from Vermont laugh at our winter, so it didn't stop this woman from booking a six night get-away and showing up prepared to do some hiking.  Bookings are beginning to come in for March through June.  

After settling in to our new home and business the first year, I began to look for volunteer opportunities that would help to immerse me in the community.  The Lower Cape Outreach Council seemed to offer a variety of options since with no government funding, they manage to stock nine food pantries, operate a free used clothing 'store', provide financial assistance and counseling, and help to make holidays happen for those who qualify for assistance.  In short order, after submitting a volunteer application online during the holidays, I was recruited for the Development Committee to assist the Executive Director, who had taken on more than was comfortably possible.  It wasn't the zen-like grunt work for a good cause that I'd envisioned, but I'm finding it another rich source of education about my neighbors and neighborhoods.  It's also what keeps a lot of people busy during the winter, planning the fundraisers that make it possible to serve eight towns on the Outer Cape.  There's definitely more going on here in the winter than meets the eye!

Some favorite Eastham neighbors

2011 - December Holiday Snippets

The blog picks up on December 18th, which is notable only because of our 1st snowfall of the season on the Cape.  It was just enough to look pretty for a couple of days and gave us the opportunity to get new winter pictures taken.  We were treated to more flurries on Christmas Eve, but it was more for mood than accumulation.  We're under the same "where's winter" influence as much of the rest of the country this year, with a coat-day now and then, although we're not immune to the occasional Arctic blasts that also roll through.

Our friend, Chandler, has been the host for the Annual Christmas Musical Caravan to raise money for the Cape's homeless shelter for more years than he'd probably like to acknowledge.  To his credit, it grows larger every year, with every familiar name on the Cape performing a couple of holiday numbers.  We finally made the scene this year, decked out in our Santa bobble hats.  With standing room only, we just made it through the first set before giving in to gravity and calling it a night.  I was glad to have been able to finally see the highly recommended Parkington Sisters and Tripping Lilly live for the first time.  Next year, we'll go earlier and save seats.  Click on the links, if you'd like a little sample:

                                             Tripping Lilly - Santa Will Find You

                                                 Parkington Sisters - Sailor Song

We spent Christmas Day as we frequently do, seeing a movie and ordering Chinese take-out for dinner.  This year's well-worth-it movie was Steven Spielberg's Warhorse, and we received a surprise random act of kindness when the woman ahead of us turned around and shared a free pass.  Later, Hunan III's Beef & Broccoli over Fried Rice ably scratched my Chinese food itch.  We didn't hear any sleigh bells that night, but our wind chimes sang their usual sweet sea songs.

We were invited to spend New Year's Eve, with a large group at Hunan III's buffet table OR, light eats and quiet conversation with half dozen friends at one of their homes.    The buffet and merriment was tempting, but the quieter choice won out.  On the way, a quick stop at the store for party food also yielded two, complimentary Happy New Year balloons, which were almost as shiny as our goofy, three year old grins.  Big revelers that we are, we were all home in our comfy clothes well before the ball dropped, ready to gently tip a hat to another new year.

Salt Pond

New Year's Day 1, which was again, seasonably warm, was spent blazing some new walking trails for me at the Salt Pond Center, and bonus motorcycle rides for Ron.  The New England Patriots did their part to start the year off right with a come-from-behind win, ensuring their place in the play-offs.  GO PATS!  

New Year's Day 2 was spent together flying kites at beaches that I hadn't seen, yet, in the town of Dennis .  All in all, except for the Cape Cod Canal being closed for four hours for a rare passage of a pod of right whales, the holidays crept by uneventfully, with most people quietly confiding that they couldn't wait for them to be over.  I was beginning to wonder if I knew anyone who was immune to the negative aspects and actually looked forward to the holidays.  Please, speak up and share what you loved about the holidays this year!  

Click on the link below to see a quick video:

Kiteflying at Dennis Beaches

At the B&B, we hosted one couple from Northampton, MA for Christmas and another from Cambridge, MA for New Year's.  Both expressed a strong desire to get away from the holiday madness to a peaceful place where they could just read and explore the natural beauty of the seashore.  That's one bill we can confidently fill any time of year.

Wishing all a year of good health, good choices, patience and humor.  We're going to need it all in an election year!  

2011 - December Snippets

Yet another jaw-dropping, December sunset in Eastham

There are lots of snowflakes hanging inside stores with songs about jolly old snowmen playing in the air, but our temperatures have been a long way from freezing, until just recently.  Guess what I want for the holidays?

DECEMBER DISCOVERIES:

Ron, in fancier days

The Vintage in Vogue store in Orleans has been right around the corner the whole time, but despite the many people who encouraged me to check it out, I never took the time until I had ulterior motives. 
I was looking for a place that would take on consignment Ron's formal wardrobe from his Victorian Society days in Northern Virginia, and I found that they accept clothing from the 1970's back.  Maureen was thrilled when I brought in a collection of tails, morning suits, top hats, accessories, and an opera cape.  They just seem a little over the top 
for greeting B&B guests.  Visiting this store feels like falling into a time warp.  Beady little eyes catch yours from fur stoles as you head towards the irresistible basket of church lady hats.  The store is positively packed
with wearable memorabilia at consignor prices and it's an entertaining place to poke around. 

Another fun discovery has been the Nauset Model Railroad Club, which took over the entire basement of a store in Orleans to set up an amazing display of train sets.  They've created every possible scenic scenario for several different gages of trains that whistle, blow steam, blink and chug.  They're open to the public every Saturday afternoon during December and it's almost as much fun to watch the people as the trains.  Click on the link to see a You Tube video of the display. 

The Chandler Travis Three-O

Our musical friend, Chan, is not exactly a new discovery, but he's been working hard on this year's holiday tunes for the Yule for Fuel fundraiser, and you never know what he's going to come up with.  Here's one of the new songs he's shared:  Santa I want a goat for christmas.  Yule probably never feel the same way about caroling.

A WALK DOWNTOWN:

Eastham Town Hall

We're so fond of our windmill it has its own annual festival!

I decided to walk the one mile to Town Hall to pay our real estate tax bill this time, figuring if I got a little exercise, it would somehow make the experience of paying taxes less odious.  On one side of State Route 6 is the Superette, a Ma & Pa convenience grocery with great deli sandwiches to order, a blazing fireplace in the winter and a cashier who loves to tell jokes.  Across the street is the green with the oldest windmill on the Cape.  On the other side of Route 6 is the Town Hall, followed by the Fire & Police Stations, and that pretty much sums up downtown" Eastham. 

Crosswinds B&B 'goes Holiday'

The infamous Winter Solstice Tree

I'm wrapping up the December Snippets early because, let's face it, the last couple of weeks of December are pretty frantic for most people.  So, on the holiday of your choosing, I wish you simple comforts, good health and some of your favorite people with whom to share it.  And, ONLY if you like, some REAL snowflakes.

2011- November Snippets

Fort Hill Foliage

In spite of the surprise Halloween Storm that buried much of New England in snow without power for days, we came out of it with only one broken outer windowpane in the Cottage and an A+ on the new generator's first practical test.  The temperatures immediately returned to the UN-seasonable 60's, where it has stayed most of the month, which pleased everyone except hardcore winter freaks like myself who like sipping hot apple cider by crackling fires and soaking the chill away in a hot tub.  Nevertheless, the flannel sheets are on in the B&B rooms and the porch has a ready supply of wood scraps for the fireplace.  The season is still young.

Where's the cranberry sauce?

Otherwise, it's been a "wild" Fall.  We've had wild turkeys waddling around in the yard, throwing caution to the wind about Thanksgiving.  A buck ran full speed down our street in broad daylight with no Elmer Fudd in sight.  A pack of howling coyotes has been on the hunt near our friend's house in North Eastham.  If anything portends the coming of cooler weather, it's when the cats proudly present a mouse that somehow got in.  Our cats are more intent on playing with than eating them, so I usually have to catch them myself and toss them on the lawn to take their chances with the hawks. The chase is kind of like a bad Tom and Jerry cartoon.  Meanwhile, the squirrel count has climbed to 118, and I suspect another chippy's on the loose.

So long, Newfie

On the domestic wildlife scene, which is not as much of an oxymoron as you might think, it is with sadness that I report the passing of Newfie, our black cat, who has been in declining health for quite some time.  He was one of the most lovable and sociable felines we've ever known and had a way of looking you right in the eyes and expressing such humble appreciation for any show of attention that it made you want to be a better human.  When he let us know it was time to escape, we were grateful to be able to provide it for him peacefully and humanely.  If only it were as easy for humans.

When Ron noticed an ad for a no-fee MSPCA adoption weekend, we decided to check it out to see if there might be a suitable companion for our manx, Bob, who has been growing tubby from inactivity.  We made promises not to bring home any cat that didn't steal both our hearts and remained resolute throughout both rooms until the last cage came into view.  An impossibly long, slinky-like, apricot, fluff ball who eagerly licked his approval of us had us hooked before you could say "Macaroni", the name volunteers had just given him.  "New Cat" had been brought in a few days prior and listed on their computer as "Stray Cat".  I thought we might just call him Mac, but after giving it further consideration, we decided on the more dignified, Thomas MacDaniels, and he is slowly learning that the "New Parents" call him Tommy.  

Thomas "Tommy-Can-You-Hear-Me" MacDaniels

You lookin' at ME?

Tom & Bob

Bob made it clear with their first encounter that besides being confused about Newfie's disappearance, he was also horrified and disgusted by this new, fluffy thing slinking around the house.  But, each day grew progressively better as Tommy relentlessly wore him down with fancy, airborne spins, engaging upside-down looks, 0-60 mph sprints that ended respectfully just short of Bob's backside and throaty hide and seek invitations.  Bob's curiosity finally got the better of him and by the end of a week they were engaging in tentative sparring and intense stare-downs.  At the end of two weeks, it was Bob who was initiating Goofy-time and it was clear that there was a new brother in town.  

So, what is there to do on Cape Cod in November?

Salt Marsh near Coast Guard Beach

There are a good many people who prefer to visit off-season who see the advantage of trading trinket shopping and beach weather for the tranquility of coastal towns without the mobs of tourists.  We've been the lucky recipients of visits from out-of-town friends twice this month, and even got a surprise, belated wedding gift.  

Need more entertainment than that?  Well...

Feeling cultural?  The W.H.A.T.'s Julie Harris Theatre has a ready supply of entertainment, from live cabaret to the Cape Symphony, a live feed for the Bolshoi Ballet, play readings and movies. 

Feeling festive?  November's all about the holidays and many towns have Seaside Holiday Activities, decoration contests, bazaars, illuminations and performances.  It's not unusual for Santa to arrive on a boat and feast on clam chowder after listening to gift requests.

Feeling altruistic?  Local musicians pitch in for the annual Yule for Fuel Musical Benefits, and there are many other fun opportunities to help the needy. 

History Buff?  Retrace the Mayflower passengers' first steps of exploration with a National Seashore Ranger.  Or, check out the Salt Pond Center exhibit about the local Wampanoag Indian tribes who greeted them.

Artsy-Time?  Watch the Sandwich Glass Museum create unique ornaments, or see the best of local craftsmen at various open galleries.

All Aboard:  Who doesn't like a model train exhibit at the Nauset Model Railroad Club's Open House?

And, please, don't forget about the annual Eastham Turnip Festival.  This year's winning turnip recipe and the winner of a $200 savings bond was Coconut Mustard Seed Turnip Curry.  Second prize, winning a $100 savings bond went to the Turnip Ice Cream recipe.  

November's also a busy month for thrift and consignment shops as they prepare to close for winter breaks and have clear-out sales.  It's truly guilt-free shopping for good causes. 

Another fine First Encounter Beach Sunset

Thanksgiving in Eastham:

To quote John Lennon, "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."  And, that sums up our Thanksgiving this year.  After officially closing the B&B to reservations for the first time and making our own in Virginia to attend my aunt's 80th birthday, I spent the week here instead on antibiotics and sipping chicken soup and tea.  Disappointment aside in not being able to see family and participate in the celebration, I found quite enough about which to be sappily grateful.  For one, a husband who took it upon himself to make homemade chicken soup for me as close to the way my mom used to make it without her actually being here.  And, if I had to be 'stuck somewhere', I can't think of anywhere more comforting to be than curled up on my couch lazily watching the sun through the tall, dancing marsh grasses, surrounded by soft, purring cats as I drowsed.

On the subject of holidays and feeling grateful, an appropriate enough subject for November, I have this to say:  I'm surrounded by lots of great things that I enjoy, but none that I wouldn't trade for loving companionship and good health.  The holidays have long been taken over by advertisers who sell guilt at the expense of reason and value.  It seems to me there is such a better alternative.  Instead, be an elf, or an angel, or a mench (Yiddish for "a good person").  Trade stress, guilt and a mangled credit card for finding your own creative way to help someone who needs it more than you.  The gift will be yours.  My gift to myself this year is submitting a volunteer application to the Lower Cape Outreach Program.  And, that's another thing about November on the Cape, there's finally time to just think.   Healthy holidays to all! 

The bunny ears are an old cold remedy-try it.

2011 - October Snippets

OCTOBER SNIPPETS

It's been a banner October on the Cape for tourism with enough warm and chilly weather to please everyone at some point during the month.  The Vacancy signs went up briefly after Labor Day for the first time all summer, then disappeared again for the rest of the month.  The windows are open again, allowing the sounds of birds and wind chimes in and the fresh smell of ocean air.  It hasn't been a particularly colorful Fall, probably due to the salting we took during Hurricane Irene, but when the impossibly blue New England sky peeks through the bare branches, all is forgiven.

The birds definitely know what month it is, despite the return of some unseasonably warm days.  The hummingbirds, who faithfully frequented Ron's feeders all summer have moved to their southern estates without even a quick note in the guest books.  That leaves the blue jays, grackles and sparrows to duke it out at the feeders, when the squirrels and chipmunks leave them anything.  The Hav-A-Hart Trap Count has reached 114 squirrels and 53 Chippies.  Unfortunately, the neighborhood possums have decided to get into the act, too.  After trapping the same one 4 times (he limps from an injured rear left leg), we decided to escort him to a new neighborhood by a big pond.  Not to be outdone, the deer are making stealthy forays into the garden and knocking over all the critter traps.  Apparently, there is no one in the animal world who can resist peanut butter.  It's a real jungle out there!

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

The last scheduled Outdoor Sale of the season was held at the Orleans Community Exchange.  These were both a blessing and a curse for me, and at the very least, another learning curve about the world of treasure hunting and consignment.  When taking advantage of the every other weekend opportunity, they can easily double or triple monthly sales.  But, the treasure hunting is the fun part.  When one considers the hours it takes to tag, load, unload, display, repack and unload again at home, it deserves some consideration about how one defines treasure.  I'm still figuring out work-smarter techniques for next summer as we reclaim the garage space from treasures that are being returned, to be rediscovered by someone else.

Bob modeling a "treasure"

As no surprise to me, I came across another blogger's take on her visit to Cape Cod in our Chamber of Commerce monthly e-news.  I know what sites I enjoy seeing, but it's always fun to see the same places through other eyes.  Here's her link, if you're interested:

Stay on Route 6

October Color

It's hard to believe, but there were actually little white flakes mixed with raindrops on the last weekend forecast of the month.  I took it with a grain of salt when our fisherman friend predicted a hard winter, but maybe he's on to something.  We only had one more reservation on the books for the season for this messy weekend and it wouldn't have surprised me if they had reconsidered, but like seasoned New Hampshire ladies, they were not to be kept from their long-awaited weekend getaway by a little old Nor'easter. As it turned out, they traded 11" of snow and no power in NH for an exciting day and night of 70 mph wind-driven rain on the Cape, and felt pretty smug about it.  Since we had nobody else on the books, we urged them to stay another night (on us) and enjoy a day of sunshine before they returned.  It didn't take them long to see the wisdom in that plan and we made 2 new friends.

Salt Pond Family

With 2 summer seasons under our belts, there is one observation about B&B guests that I can say for certain.  They are all unique.  Some are rarely here as they try to see how much ground they can cover with their explorations.  Others use their room as their whole vacation, reading in the tree swing and strolling on the nearby walking trails.  Some take full advantage of the kitchenettes and gas grills, while others hit a different restaurant every day.  The chirping of a cricket and the gentle, nearby whoosh of traffic may be soothing to some, but others crave total silence.  We have Boston Metro people for weekend getaways and world travelers who include us on months-long holidays.  This month we had guests from as far away as Russia and Germany.  I thought I was really ready for a break, but it didn't take long to miss the steady stream of interesting people who show up.  So, now it's time to shift gears to winter projects that have had to wait and look forward to the surprise travelers who march to a different drum beat and find their way to us when we least expect it.  

Stuffed Lobster Treat a la Ray

2011 - September Snippets

September Snippets

The morning after Labor Day, I watched a fleet of yellow school buses zip by, but by the next weekend tourism was alive and well again.  The weather did the usual fake-out, turning chilly enough to drag out the winter comforters for the B&B beds and then turning into sultry summer again, necessitating a change back to the light spreads.  The bookings were so plentiful, we began to wonder if we were going to get a season to rest, but don't misinterpret that as a complaint.  With the economy leaving so many people in dire straights, we are happy to be the busy ants in demand with a means for saving for the hard winters to come.  Since moving here, I've learned how difficult government restrictions have made it for our local fishermen to earn their livings, which is one of our major sources of income.  We don't take any good fortune for granted.  

Our little town of Eastham is known for three things:  nationally recognized beaches, speeding tickets and the oldest windmill on the Cape.  This year we decided to answer the call for volunteers for the annual Windmill Weekend Festival and spent a gorgeous day on the town green ladling chowder and selling raffle tickets.  Our own tickets didn't win anything, but we had a birds-eye view of all the activities and somehow ended up on next year's Publicity Committee.  If you're not careful in a small town, you're likely to end up in charge of something.

A visit from our son, Doug, was the cherry on our September Sundae.  He flew up to see the play Ron was in and liked the wordplay so much we went twice.  While he was here, he did the usual solving of technical issues and questions that we couldn't figure out, and even seemed to like it.  For a surprise, we had a toilet and sink installed in the basement "Man Cave Quarters" where he stays if the B&B's are full.  For those of you who have also stayed "down-under", you'll be happy to know there will be no more long trips up the stairs in the middle of the night.

My surprise compost-pumpkin garden yielded 10 little cuties, which are displayed proudly.  After worrying that there wasn't enough sun in the garden, I also got a late bumper crop of tomatoes, which will be making appearances later in our favorite marinara recipe.   No thanks to the critters, who find us irresistible, no matter how many we trap and relocate.  The squirrel count is now over 100, and the chipmunks now number 50.  The "Rescue Garden" has been expanding nicely, although I've spent as much time rearranging it as I have planting new adoptees, as I keep changing the dynamics by what I find on the discount tables. 

As our Red Sox were adding player after player to the injury list and tanking for the season, Patriot football filled in with a fresh new start.  Ron was coerced into joining a friend's Fantasy Football League this year, which makes knowing whom to cheer for a real challenge sometimes.  But, if there is any confusion about loyalties, it is quickly distracted by an increasingly decadent array of snack food that sends everyone home sated and happy, no matter who wins. 

Although we operate our B&B with accepted standards of professionalism, we couldn't do it without heart, too.  We trust that good karma always serves both parties well.  As an example, I took a rare cancellation last night from a woman who was coming from St. Louis to visit her mother in a nursing home near Boston.  She was so looking forward to spending a relaxing weekend at the Cape, but due to her mother's declining health, she was forced to change her plans.  Hearing her disappointment, I told her we would give her a full refund and hope she might be able to rebook another time.  No sooner than I clicked the Refund button on Paypal did I get an email request for a 4 night booking, including the nights that had been cancelled.  And, with that tidbit, September comes to an end.