No Way Jose

I've always loved a good storm. There is a certain electricity in the air, lots of excitement around town and usually news reporters since we live out on the "elbow" of Cape Cod. Recent storms like Harvey and Irma were not "good storms". The flooding, death and destruction was tragic. A good Cape Cod storm is a strong Nor'Easter which is what "they" are predicting Hurricane Jose to be. No one is boarding up shops or houses, there is not a run on water, but people have moved or REmoved boats. I went out this afternoon to take some pre-storm photos. The problem with a strong storm around this time of the year is that a lot of leaves fall off the trees and the salt water flying through the air causes a lot of fall flowers to die. Here's a little taste of pre-Jose.....

 Hazel's, always ready for a party

Riptide

Skiffs piled up

Oh February...

Back in January, we had no snow,

We joked how winter was a big no,

We wore cute shoes and didn't slip,

We could go out to dinner and not trip.

Then February came. Ouch, what a slap,

Our driveways became an icy trap,

Many snowbanks are now above the first floor,

We may never again use the front door.

We've missed multiple days of school,

Decreasing our summer time in a pool.

We've shoveled so much, our biceps are strong,

Who needs the gym, free workouts aren't wrong.

The bitter chill has settled over the Cape,

We brush snow and our windshields we scrape.

Our feet have not seen anything but heavy boots,

We only eat chocolate things, definitely not fruit.

On Facebook, snow pictures have turned to throwback pics,

Beach scenes, bathing suits, summer sunsets in the mix.

Elsa is seen on Post Office walls as "most wanted"

Kids wearing "Frozen" shirts are now taunted.

Snowbanks have taken on a life of their own,

Town snow budgets have been blown,

When will the last of it disappear?

Hopefully soon, but as of now it's unclear.

The good news is the clocks move ahead in 2 weeks,

The extra sun will feel good on our cheeks.

The arctic cold will hopefully dissipate,

This is something we can anticipate.

Our thoughts will turn to hamburgers and grills,

Painted toes, flip flops, summertime thrills,

Beach towels, swimming, castles in the sand,

Bikinis, sundresses on bodies that are tanned.

Not much longer now Cape Cod,

We will be thawed.

Enjoy the longer sunny days that soon will be,

Holding on to a positive attitude is the key!

Oooooh, Those Summer Nights

The absolute best thing about living on Cape Cod is being able to head down to the beach for cocktail hour. The light is beautiful, the beach is almost empty (except for that May/December couple completely making out in front of us) and the water looks magical.

So in light of my favorite part of a summer's day, I bring you a cocktail....

Some music...

My niece who can just peek over the picinic table at almost 1 year old...

My niece again because she is so beautiful...

A seal floating aimlessly along without knowledge that there are great whites out there waiting to strike at any moment...

The first attempt at my sister's Christmas card photo (there will obviously be quite a few after this....)....

B and I posing for a photo...

B making fun of me attempting to do a handstand in someone's left over sand hole....

And a happy baby and her daddy.

What's your favorite time of the day?

Prelude to Bill

So, we are just getting brushed by Hurricane Bill tonight, but B and I thought we would give you a little look at the calm before the storm (so to speak).

The view from what we fondly call "Hazel's Shanty" of the beach.

A seagull hanging out.

The gale warning flag at the Coast Guard station.

The sky was pretty cool. You couldn't see the waves crashing on the outer beaches due to the fog, but you sure could hear them!

I tried to picnik this and show you exactly where Hazel's Shanty is, but my dinosaur of a computer kept shutting down on the picnik site. VERY annoying! Anyway, toward the left of the photo there is a little gray garden shed with a white door and a little window. It is on maybe 1/2 tenth of an acre of lawn. It once was a regular house with about 10 other houses as neighbors. A storm came in the late 80's and decimated the neighborhood (basically the neighborhood fell into the ocean). My sister's husband's family (got that?) who own the land, put up a little shed and a few picnic tables. It is a perfect spot to sit and watch the water!

B's idea to take this picture of her walking in the water and it was a good one!

Someone's beautiful garden. No, definitely not mine. Since it is on the ocean, it could be killed off tonight because of the salt spray.

Should be a rocking and rolling time at the wedding I have to get to at 5:30 on the beach! Yee-ha!