A flash from the past ...

Though this photo has nothing to do with anything in particular, I thought I would post it anyway. Pictured here are my three brothers, about 15 years ago. When I first showed this photo to my youngest brother, Joey, he remarked about his, and the others', lack of gray hair ... ah, to retain those youthful locks forever!!

G and I spent most of yesterday visiting with my brothers and my mom. We had so much fun just sitting around catching up and reminiscing about our childhood. It seems that the older we get, the more time we spend reconnecting on that level. I love my brothers, and I love to spend time with them, the more the better!

Just too busy getting settled...

Sorry I haven't posted for a while, but having relocated this week, I find myself very busy just readjusting to life off-cape! Getting my home back to normal (after being away for three months), going back to work, settling G at day-hab, and living full-time with the puppy have been quite time consuming; I haven't even had any creative time this week! Hopefully, within the next few days I'll settle down and get into a better routine...after puppy class tomorrow, that is!!! Oh, to be on the beach again.......

Just me, God and mother nature ...

Quite fittingly, yesterday (the last of summer and my last full day on the Cape) I completed my seashore walk, leaving from High Head in Truro and ending at Race Point in Provincetown - an almost 6 mile hike. The day could not have been more beautiful ... 7o degrees and clear, sunny skies with a light seabreeze. This last stretch of beach was the most desolate, but also the most beautiful! Occasionally I walked off the beach into the dunes to see what I knew would be a breathtaking view - for which these photos hardly do justice.

Having concluded my walk, I want to thank loved ones who helped and supported me, especially my brother John, my dear friend Nancy and my husband Arthur.

A sight to behold ...

I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these seals this morning on a sandbar at Head of the Meadow Beach in Truro ... not only did a catch a view of them, but I could also hear their "groaning" as the tide was rising and disturbing their sandy oasis...

While on the beach...

While on the beach this afternoon, I witnessed what was perhaps an intensely personal & private moment. A well dressed woman walked to the shore and tossed a pink rose into the water. She stood for only a moment or two and departed - leaving the rose to toss about in the surf. As it did, petals separated from the bloom and drifted - some washed ashore, where one was plucked up by a gull, and another was gently lifted up by the hand of a young child and added to her collection.
I wonder if this woman had just come from the funeral of a loved one and performed this ritual in memory of this dear friend who loved the ocean - this ocean and this beach. And I imagine that the spirit of that person goes on to serve those it touched, just as the rose petals left the bloom and drifted to new purposes.
I should hope that someday I will be remembered so beautifully.

The final week...

Well, this is my last week on the Cape for this summer. Appropriately enough, I will be returning to the "mainland" at the time of the fall equinox...having very happily spent the entire summer on the Cape. Thankfully, we do not close up the house for the off-season, and can return here for shorter visits at any time. It has been a wonderful summer, full of family & friends, walks & talks, and ample time for thought, reading and creativity. I think my two greatest accomplishments have been my walk along the Cape Cod National Seashore and the creation of this blog; two things which I have wanted to do for a long time...and now they are done! I already miss Sunday morning worship at the beach - prayer, praise and song in God's natural sanctuary. I look forward to being here again next summer, God willing, and pray that I can keep the warmth and glow of summer in my heart always.

Just for fun ...

Inspired by an article in Somerset Studio magazine, I created this collage with bits of paper and rub-ons. It was a lot of fun, and the piece sort of took on a life of its own as I progressed. For me, getting started is the hard part, that's where I often need inspiration; but then, everything else just seems to fall into place. I'm always amazed how placement of colors can lead to cohesive design - or not! Anyway...this is what I have been working on these past couple of days. For those of you who are aware of my daily habit of "an ATC a day," you need not wonder what will become of this one collage - I can get eight days out of it!!!

Walking "The Great Beach"

One of my goals for this year (and probably next) is to walk the beach of the Cape Cod National Seashore, from Nauset in Orleans to Race Point Lighthouse in P-town. Bit by bit, as time & tide have allowed, I have walked from Orleans well into Truro this summer. As I walk, not only do I enjoy the beauty & splendor of what Thoreau called "The Great Beach," but I also like to gather bits of beach treasure - glass, shells, stones, etc. (More about treasure I have found in a later post.)
Today's discovery took me a bit by surprise, though it was not totally unexpected. As I was walking in Truro, I encountered a nude beach. (I knew it was out there, I just didn't know exactly where!) It is common practice to exchange greetings with others on the beach, especially in secluded areas where walkers are few, and today's experience of chatting with people who had no clothes on was a little different!
All that aside, this stretch of beach, between Ballston & Longnook, was one of the most beautiful & pristine I have had the pleasure of walking.

A taste of Nauset Beach

This is a short video clip of the beach this morning...my first time playing with videos, so please bear with me! Enjoy!

Sisters weekend (with G, too!) ...

This past weekend my sister Tina was here for a visit, and, of course, we packed in as much as we possibly could! Beach, lunch and "resort hopping" on Friday; shopping, sandcastles and dinner with family on Saturday; and more beach & "Chatham strolling" on Sunday before we said our goodbyes. On Saturday we also contended with the remnants of hurricane Hanna, which made the beach ever so beautiful Sunday morning!

Time spent with Tina is always fun - we just never know what we'll find ourselves doing - and I look forward to our next weekend together. Love you, Tina!