A beautiful day

     When I was younger I didn't live so much in the moment - always worrying about choices, relationships - the good ones and the bad ones, finances or lack of them, my young family's safety, health, the list goes on and on. While I'm still and always will be a chronic worrier,  ( Heck, I just stopped having "I didn't do my homework" dreams about five years ago)  I have learned with age to live far more of my life in the moment.  And... I don't give as much of a f*ck about trying to please everyone all the time, or even if someone likes me.  I have finally come to that place where I know in my heart of hearts I am a decent soul and I like me... maybe even love me.  Sounds silly, but that knowledge comes hard to some of us, and maybe you know the woe.  This was a day when I sat completely comfortable with myself and content with my life's direction. 

    Yesterday it seems everyone in New England was out and about, enjoying the beautiful 🌺SPRING🌸  day - temps reached 61 degrees!   On the road, some of my fellow Jeepers had their tops off and down at Stella, island folks were beginning the Spring ritual of opening up and airing out their cottages.  My daughter and I spent some time at the show barn with Leah - and I got to take her for a spin around the block a few times myself. 

  As I watched my daughter go 'round the ring practicing for the first show of the season, the warm sun beaming down on our faces, I was reminded again of all she has overcome, how lucky we are to have these experiences after all.   

    After time well spent at the barn, I headed down to the cottage where the Mr. was working with two of his crew to replace the split railing we initially installed at the waterfront.  When sitting on the blue stone patio, what greeted  seated folks at eye level were  clunky cedar beams.  It was a nice rustic look but took away from the water views.  So we've installed wire which will keep people from falling over but doesn't block the view.  It's almost invisible. as you can see in this photo. 

   We were so pleased with the effect, we decided to take the waterfront railing section  of the deck out and replace it with the same wire.  We have a lot of summer meals up on that little deck and the view now when seated will be a much fuller waterfront scene. That deck comes in handy as a "playpen" for Frasier and Sally as well - they are safe up there with a gate at the stairs, and someday the same will be true when and if we're blessed with grandchildren. 

     We brought some dirt from the farm down to the shore - we'll spread it in the waterfront part of the little yard to fortify the grass and level the footing some.  If you can believe it,  M wants to plant a little vegetable garden down there as well as the one I keep here on the farm.  The bunnies are prolific on the island-really-a-peninsula,  he'll have to put a little fencing up if we are to eat any of that produce. 

   

Frasier, Sally and I took a walk  after inspecting the new fencing... we are on a cove in the Long Island Sound - which you can see in the distance here.  The crocus have arrived!   And they tell me the peepers too, and while I can't hear the actual thing, I hear peepers 24/7 with the tinnitus and hearing loss, go figure - 😂

  I can usually find at least one piece of seaglass on each walk.  This one was a very pale blue, my favorite color.

The water hasn't been turned on yet so the cottage can't be given a thorough Spring cleaning, bed linens aren't re-washed or beds made  until April 15th or so, when the water is turned back on.   We don't spend too much time here until then, no toilets!   The new gas stove does a fantastic job of heating up the space when the nip in the air needs tucking.   Sally approves. 

    When the chill came in off the water with the setting sun I came home to feed the horses and chickens and clean the new chicks water for the tenth time.  Have I mentioned how piggy chicks are?  All doing well, by the way.  The  good weather had us all in high spirits, and it was evident in the people we encountered throughout the day, too.   I always hope that kindred spirit spreads far and wide. Wouldn't it be awesome to have a blanket of good will to cover this entire planet - think of all the problems we could solve, what a wonderful world this could be if only.   It was a restorative kind of day that I sorely needed.   Today I'm wishing the same for  you - 

 Till soon - 

Karen 🌷

Invasion of the Giant Pink Flamingo

   We've been spending a significant amount of time down at the shore - cottage life has been a welcome reprieve from our hectic work life and farm chores.   Heading down there at the end of the day to cool off in the water or on the deck for a meal with the gathering family, or to hop in the kayaks on a quiet morning... truly feels like we are AWAY from it all, on  a little vacation.  Making the decision to buy a small place not far from our home as opposed to several hours or more "away" turned out to be an excellent decision for our clan.  We're getting far more use out of it so close by than we would have if there were a long drive or flight involved.  And - the bonus is friends and family are nearby and can join us easily as well. 

The dogs are with us more often than not - 

and while Frazier swims and has accompanied me on the kayak...

Sally is still unsure.  However, she now ventures to water's edge -

  Yesterday she stretched her little stubby legs in the surf

(all of two inched deep)  to reach for

a piece of  snow cone my son offered up. 

Progress. 

 The blue steps maybe stand out a bit, but their gritty texture works perfectly

to eliminate slippery stairs. 

*Boat Bottom Paint Plus Sand mixed in* 

And..  I've described this before but it always amazes me - 

most of the pictures in this post are taken at low tide. 

At high tide, just a few hours later, the water is up over the blue steps 

 - a difference of about six feet.

  This  succulent-like type plant grows prolifically on our seawall - anyone know what it is?  It now has white flowers and is just beautiful.

  The boys have been clamming -   A little info - Did you know you should never clam right after a rain storm?  The storm kicks up all the muck and pollution and the clams are busy filtering it out right after the storm.  So they're "full of it"... and you don't want to eat a mucky clam.

   Our new float (bottom right in picture) is holding up well so far, even with a make-shift patch to the hole we put in it trying to heave it over the cedar fence sea wall.

   Do you see that little pink thing off in the distance? 

  It's actually HUGE!  Remember the Stay Puff Marshmallow man in Ghostbusters?

That's what it reminds me of.

Our neighbor a few cottages down the way installed it for his kids. 

  

   Here it is in an ad - to give you an idea of the size.  Apparently they are all the rage this year in lakes, ponds, rivers and coves like ours.  Sams Club, among other places, sells them for around $150.   Probably real fun for a party, but I doubt they last long. I'll let you know how long Pinky lasts in our cove. 

 

 And if a giant flamingo doesn't float your boat, perhaps a rainbow pegasus Unicorn will! 

     

Have a safe and happy fourth of July celebration -  We've got a heat and humidity wave going here in New England -  Perfect time to have a float in the ocean. 

  

Vitamin Sea

    

    If your head isn't spinning yet from all the vitriol and ridiculousness and continuing bullshittery that is our current situation in these Un-United States (how did we get to this - I'll say it one more time, We Are Better Than This... oh please let us find our way to a better place, and soon, all of us).....  then you come from some sturdy stock.   My fibromyalgia has been in flare in recent weeks and I'm pretty sure it's because I'm getting far too worked up over things I cannot change. Truly I need to just set it down and walk away from it -  we've all heard the serenity prayer, right?... 

  This version even better - 

   Fat chance unknotting knickers, but.. baby steps.  So this weekend we made a concerted effort to stay the hell away from the headlines and just enjoy what's around us -  here on the farm, down at the cottage and a little lunch date excursion to the seaside town of Stonington, CT -    Staying off topic is no easy feat, as the Mr. and I are polar opposites on the political spectrum.  Not in all things, but Tr*mp and his rhetoric make the differences seem as wide as the Grand Canyon's divides. 

Anyway!...  The Dog Watch Cafe - I've written about it before - if you're in CT or driving through - it's a lovely waterfront cafe run and staffed by friendly people with a delicious menu.  Best fish & chips we've ever had, but there's so much more to their fare.  Have you ever heard of short rib and onion stuffed ravioli?  Me either - and it was delish!   And just look at all those flowers.... 

  New to me - these paint splattered petunias. Not sure what their real name is but they're beautiful -

 The town itself is lovely - all sea captains homes, lovely cottages, row houses, and some old  huge homes and buildings made into condo complexes that are just gorgeous... 

  The peach roses and purple clematis at this cottage were stunning - the picture doesn't do them justice. 

 Note the Little Free Library on the bottom right of this photo... there were several around town, a concept  I absolutely love.  Reinforces what is good in people.  Encourages reading, knowledge, kindness. 

This brick building with slate roof is much larger than it looks in this picture, stretching down to the water behind it, converted into beautiful condos (OMG the prices though) .  Click HERE for a listing available right now...

    Below is the Cavalry Church, built in the 1800's.  I'm not religious - but in doing a little research on the impressive stone building, I came across their message - This is the type of message I think all religions and worshippers should embody.  Unfortunately it's not always the case.

Welcome to Calvary Church, Stonington--we hope you will come visit us in our "Church by the Sea."   We are a caring community of faith seeking to share the love of God in our life together with one another, and in our support and care for those in need in the world around us.  All are welcome here. Calvary is made up of members young and old, with many new to this community of faith--"whoever you are, from wherever you have come, you are welcome here." 

  We found a little seaside park that is also a preserve with walking paths and benches.  They've installed some beautiful native flowers, bird and butterfly habitats - this split rail fence adorned with some beautiful vine art by a neighbor of the preserve  - the vine pattern goes for at least 10 lengths of fence. 

   Mom had a visit from three of her long time friends - I call them The Golden Girls. Their long standing friendship of many years  and their kindnesses to each other and our family is inspirational.   Here they are, visiting Stella by the Sea - and I'm so grateful they got to "sea" her.   Her doors are always open should they decide to stay for a spell. 

  It's a glorious morning here on the farm - this photo taken an hour ago as the sun rose.  The three amigos, all getting on in years, living a good retirement life. I wish the same for all of us. 

    Miss Sally, one of my two southern rescue Georgia peaches, is learning to like our rides in the Jeep when we go to the cottage.  As long as I let her stand on the arm rest where she can lean in  and drool all over my shoulder,  she's learned that every little thing is gonna be OK.  Sometimes  if we're paying attention, we can learn a thing or two from our animals, don't ya know.  This isn't lost on me... 

   

Have a good day, all - and thank you for stopping by.