Evening Falls in Chatham

Beloved Cape Cod. Dad always said Eastham is "right above the elbow."

Around 4ish, we drove back to Chatham--that well-heeled town on these sandy shores. With hydrangeas, perfect picket fences, a fancy inn, cabanas. Preppy, sandy-haired men and their beautiful, suntanned wives in short white lace dresses. A Lilly Pulitzer store and Yellow Umbrella Books. Excellent fudge @ the Candy Manor, a darling little shop. [Darling is a strange adjective, but it fits like a satin glove to describe the cozy candy kitchen.]

Figgy and Charlotte walked the curving beach and then strolled to Main Street for pizza topped with pesto and fresh tomato. H. and I ate at the Wild Goose Tavern first--his clam chowder was nice--and then headed to the sand. I wanted to walk with him, but decided it would nourish my spirit more if I plunked down on a lawn chair and stared @ the waves. I wanted a drink of peace and perspective. I longed to feel the gratitude in my heart, and craved stillness to do that. I also felt tired. So H. went 1.5 hours round the sandy bend. [I've done that walk with him, and am kind of sad to have missed it. But you can't be in two places @ once.] Meanwhile, I saw a seal swim playfully by, its head bobbing in and out of the water. I also met shark watchers, since the latest news is that seals are shark bait around here. [One person was seriously bitten on the Cape.]

Later, the four of us met in the mist. It was pretty.

Everything is so different on the Cape. The air. The lobster, oysters, salt marsh, boats, surfers. The ponds. The lighthouse beams and the wildlife. [The girls pedaled by a possum, and we saw wild turkeys with my friend Anne the other day.] The way my hair curls up into ringlets even if I blow-dry it. The time and space and distance that allows you to contemplate the bigger picture of daily life.

Good night. I hope to drift off visualizing seals and a deep blue sea.

TCOY

1. Slept late; felt good.
2. Fresh tomato on sandwich.
3. Good tooth care. 
4. Shared salad.
5. Bought just one dark chocolate-covered Oreo at the Candy Manor, my favorite candy store IN THE WORLD. H. encouraged me to get just one piece, b/c he's worried about my health. [Actually, he didn't want me to go at all, but I compromised and we agreed.]
6. Carved out time and space to write here.