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! 


  

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.    

2013 - Ostentatious October

Afternoon light on Mary Chase Salt Marsh

"No Spring nor summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face." - John Donne
As the leaves weave a variegated carpet, summer has lost ground to October.  As if to guard against the coming chill, special blessings have been offered in the area, such as the Blessing of the Animals in Eastham's United Methodist Church parking lot, where the pastor blessed 22 dogs and 3 cats.  A suggested donation was a tin of dog or cat food for their food pantry.  Provincetown hosted the annual blessing of motorcycles.  The sight and sound of what must have been at least 1000 bikers traveling north with police escort was something that could not go unnoticed.    

Fort Hill Fall colors

The weather was perfect for this year's annual Wellfleet Oysterfest, which started several years ago on a much smaller scale when some locals decided to make a party out of the local specialty.  Attendance has grown so much that in an effort to control the crowds, one needed an admission ticket to get in this year and shuttle buses ferried people back and forth from beach parking lots.  As in the past, there were a variety of educational opportunities about how oyster reefs improve water quality and the overall health of the ecosystem.  There were also many local bands to listen to while slurping delectable oysters, road races to run off the extra calories, cooking demos for those who were looking to duplicate a shellfish dinner at home and the eagerly awaited shuck-off to see who would claim this year's title for the speediest and most skillful oyster shucker.  What started as an impromptu get-together to share the harvest is now a two-day extravaganza and has put tiny Wellfleet on the map.      

Early closure makes news

Many late season travelers have been disappointed to find one of their favorite Cape traditions unavailable.  Eastham's infamous Arnold's Lobster & Clam Bar, which ranks consistently in the top 10 lobster and clam shacks in the country, was forced to close early this season due to damage from a fire.  But, owner, Nick Nickerson assures everyone they will be open for business as usual next Spring.  

Ready for Halloween near Rock Harbor

Sharks are not the only news-grabbers in our waters.  A 500 lb. leatherback sea turtle was recently freed from netting that wrapped around its front flipper in the Nantucket Sound.  Because these endangered creatures are strong enough to pull a person under water and are federally protected, mariners are urged to report distressed turtles and stand by for trained experts to arrive. 

Turtle Rescue picture courtesy of the Cape Codder

Due to extensive repairs and construction that took longer than anticipated, the St. Christopher's Gift Shop in Chatham, where I've been consigning items for the last 4 years, had a very late opening this summer, so it had been many months since I got to enjoy one of my "Thursday drives" for an appointment.  I grabbed my camera and consignment items and as I drove down the mostly empty Rt. 28. (the main road on the ocean side), listening to WOMR's Thursday Blues Cruise show, I realized that I had that "too good to be true" grin on my face again.  I passed Nauset Middle School in Orleans where the Cape Cod Baseball League plays in the summer and occasionally sends a good prospect up through the farm leagues to the Red Sox.   Then, the Orleans police station where their vintage, black police car is still parked outside.   Orleans is not what you would call a high crime town and the police on duty were kind enough to chat with and sound the siren for our guests from Denmark last month. 

Ah-ooga

I noted numerous "NSTAR - Don't Poison Cape Cod" signs stuck in front of mailboxes, then passed scenic Pleasant Bay and the cranberry bogs in Harwich, which are pinking up again.  The blue hydrants along the side of the road with high water markers are ready to measure whatever the next storm brings and Ryder's Cove still resembles a sailboat parking lot as the mild weather hangs on.  

Pleasant Bay perch

A right turn on Crowell Road towards downtown Chatham takes me past their high school, the Chatham Drama Guild and the bakery, where the shrubbery is trimmed to look like waves with a big whale tail sculpture.  

Chatham Bakery and whale tales

Down to the rotary and past the stately white Unitarian Universalist Church, (known as the You-You) and onward on Queen Anne Road by pristine waterfront homes to the next rotary across from First Congregational Church, whose entire front lawn is full of pumpkins for sale.  

Then into St. Christopher's parking lot to hopefully dazzle the ladies with my sale choices this week.  

St. Chris' parking lot with the ever-popular tour bus customers

After my appointment, I head towards Agway for my weekly trip to their bargain tables to see if there is another rescue plant for my flower garden that I can't resist and then over to Ocean State Job Lot to take advantage of their weekly coupon sales.  Now, heading west across Cape towards Brewster, I pass the Stick & Rudder Club at the tiny Chatham airport and the old North & South Cemetery where ancient gravestones nestle in the rocky hills where grave digging must have been a challenge.  

Old North & South Cemetery

Over the Mid-Cape highway and past the Time Flies clock shop to whom I entrust my steeple clock when it needs attention.  Then a left on Tubman Road, a popular scenic shortcut that winds past old rock walls and the Brewster Sportsman Club tucked into the woods.  This brings me to Rt. 6A (the main road on the bay side).  

The Tubman Ghost Dancers

Reaching my destination, the Brewster Transfer Station, I blissfully hunt for treasures at their swap shop and unload a few former treasures for someone else to discover.  I could easily take a left turn to visit the Old Grist Mill and Herring Run, but by now, I'm ready to head towards home with my new loot.  Past Brewster Country Store with the old nickelodeon that takes old dimes that they supply, the incredibly swank Ocean Edge resort and the  Cape Cod Sea Camp, where inner-city children come for summer fun, and numerous antique shops, mostly closed now for the season. 

Yes, there's always someone sitting on the benches.

Our friend, Stephan's Great Cape Herb shop, where he cultivates and mixes medicinal herbs for just about every need is next and, as always, I admire the colorful, ceramic fishes hanging on big barn doors at the Clayworks.  The Cape Rep Theatre reminds me that we haven't seen a play in a long time.  And, when I see the Animal Rescue League, where I take old blankets for the animals waiting to be adopted, I know I'm almost back to Orleans and within a quick hop to Eastham to complete my circle.  There's a slight temptation to go by the Orleans Agway discount table, too, but by then I'm usually ready to go home and relate all my adventures and show off my finds.  It's always a fun day, especially when the seasons are changing and show off with splashes of reds, golds and bronzes.  

Indeed they are.

Last year, I shared some of our favorite B&B reviews.  We've been fortunate to receive many more since that time, but a couple of "stinkers" popped up this year and I thought I'd even out the picture, just to be fair.  I think the most insulting question we've ever been asked was, "Could you have possibly forgotten to change the sheets because they have a funny smell and I have a sensitive nose."  Forgotten?!    But, I like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, so I proceeded to replace not only the sheets, but the mattress pad, pillow protector covers, blanket and bedspread.  Just for good measure, I fluffed the pillows in the dryer for awhile.  I also buried my face in the suspicious sheets, as well as getting Ron and two other friends to test-sniff them, and no one smelled a thing.  That done, I couldn't help noticing that our guests had brought scented candles and a whole bottle of lavender drawer liner spray for a 2-day getaway.  That's some serious aromatherapy and I came to the conclusion that the funny smell they may have detected was the lack of a smell since I use dye and perfume-free detergent.

The fresh smell of still waters at Hemenway Landing

The second only-slightly negative review was a little more puzzling, since the complaint was that the sheets and blanket came up too high.  I'm betting that her man was not tall, nor had big feet like my husband's.  If I don't give myself a couple of extra inches of covers, my shoulders stick out and get cold.  We do ask for information about dietary restrictions, but I've never thought to ask for height and shoe size.  I guess you really can't please everyone, but our average remains pretty good.

Bob enjoying the warmth from some solar energy

October 13th was the one year anniversary of connecting our solar panels to the grid and as of this month, we've produced over 10,000 kilowatt hours, saved a lot of money and even impressed a few B&B guests with how green we've become.  We couldn't be bigger advocates of sun power.  And, as investments go, it's been a lot more rewarding than the stock market.  With the end of Daylight Savings Time looming on the calendar, a little help from the sun during the day makes it a lot easier to justify brightening up those long winter nights.  Our first frost is expected this week.  

All packed up for the season at the Orleans Yacht Club

Our October guests came from as far as Hamburg, Germany, the United Kingdom, Jacksonville, FL, Ithaca, NY, Bellingham, WA, Newton, MA, Storrs, CT, Boulder, CO, Seattle, WA and Belcamp, MD.  We even took our first reservation for next August this month, which is a record for early bookers.  

    

2013 - Sweeeeeeeet September

If you drive all the way to Race Point at the North end of Cape Cod, you will see this peeking out of the dunes.

With an increased focus on the great white shark population off of the Outer Cape, there is growing apprehension within the seal population about their new scapegoat status.  One seal was overheard on Labor Day weekend lamenting, "It used to be fine when they could make a buck off'a watchin' us sun on da rocks.  We were everybuddy's sweethearts, but then dem Not-So-Great-white sharks found our hideout and now, WE'RE the pariahs?  I tell you, we needta get a clue from our cousin Navy Seals to protect ourselves."  

Cape Cod Seal Militia

September in Eastham means it's time to celebrate our town with the annual Windmill Weekend festivities.  I took my usual volunteer spot selling raffle tickets, but had plenty of time to watch the parade and visit the Sand Art Competition, my two favorite events.

Click to sample the 2013 Eastham Windmill Weekend

Yvonne & Ole at the Highland Light in Truro

Sometimes, if you are very lucky, a vacation comes right to your door, and we definitely got lucky this month when the friends we stayed with in Denmark two Springs ago came for a visit.  After a very busy summer, we happily grabbed our cameras and played tourist for a few days.  We revisited the Edward Penniman House in our neighborhood and learned even more about the famous whaling captain and his family, re-climbed the Highland Light on a gorgeous Fall day for a lofty perspective, walked through Provincetown's smorgasbord of sights and sounds, dined at Arnolds (always rated in the top 10 clam and lobster "shacks" in the country) and then turned over the key to the Harley so our friends could take a riding adventure to Chatham and Brewster on their own.  We ended with some always fine dining at our friends' Red Pheasant restaurant with some of Bill's world-famous duck and killer chocolate bombe.  The best of all was the renewal of a special friendship that doesn't fade despite the wide expanse of ocean between us.     

View of the Highland Links from the top of the lighthouse

The rest of the month flew by as visitors who wait for schools to resume continued to flock to their favorite beaches and shops.  The weather was typically coy, flirting with summer temperatures one week and crisper air the next.  And, happily, NO hurricanes even close this year.  September brought guests from Germany, Austria, Denmark, Great Britain, Wisconsin, Colorado, Florida, Connecticut and Massachusetts, including a special visit from my sister and niece from Amherst.  

Cranberry picking time in Harwich

The roads are calm once again, although it's school buses that stop the traffic now along Route 6.  The tomato and cucumber plants in the garden are spent and pumpkins have replaced watermelons at the store.  Leaves are starting to fall in earnest and the consignment shops are clearing out summer items to make way for sweaters and boots.  As Robert Browning wrote, " I trust in nature for the stable laws of beauty and utility.  Spring shall plant and Autumn garner to the end of time."   Enjoy the transition.

"Pee Wee", the surprise garden pumpkin