Family and Fun in Cape Cod

Jim and I spent several days enjoying family, beaches, and unexpected discoveries in Cape Cod last week. Granddaughter Taylor asked to spend her 18th birthday there, and in spite of warnings about how crowded it is in summer, we had a great time. First of all, Cape Cod looks, uh, exactly how I imagined. Lots of beaches, lots of houses with weathered shingles, white trim, and steep roofs (i.e., Cape Cod architecture, surprise), and yeah, lots of traffic on certain roads. We rented a house for the kids, and stayed ourselves at the Inn on the Sound in Falmouth. We had their absolutely worst room (late booking), Deer Pond, a small room between the kitchen and the living room, but still loved the Inn. Gracious hosts, excellent breakfasts, and great location.

It was raining our first day there, so we went to the Whydah Pirate Museum. (So did everyone else, get tickets in advance.) We expected a somewhat trivial diversion, but were all impressed at how much we learned, and how glad we were to have gone. Pirates were most often either escaping political persecution, were escaped slaves, or men “with no country,” and nowhere to go. The spoils were split equally between every man, no matter his position. No one was excusing the violence, but learning the history of “The Golden Age of Piracy,” and the discovery of shipwreck of the Whyday, had us all fascinated.

Another surprise was the miserable appearance of many of the oaks in the area. Entire forests looked like the tree below, with the leaves of the outer branches dead and dying. It turns out to be a temporary effect of the 17 year cicadas, who damage the limbs when they lay their eggs and interfere with the tree’s circulation. Apparently the trees will be fine next year.

Another excursion was to Heritage Museum and Gardens, 100 acres of heaven in Sandwich, MA.

Here’s the whole Billings family: Jim’s son Zach, partner Sarah, family friend Emma, granddaughter Taylor (on her 18th birthday), granddaughter Quinne (just turned 11), mom Rachel, and son Shane. And, of course, my guy, Jim.

MEANWHILE, back on the farm: It’s the peak of flower season here, and if you don’t look too closely, our gardens are gorgeous. Here’s a sampling:

I mean it about not looking too closely. Between family visits and trips, rain, rain, and MORE RAIN (yes, I know. I am yelling), much of the garden looks like a jungle. Through a series of fortunate (family) and unfortunate (sick, rain–so much rain . . .) events, we haven’t been able to keep up. But, still, it’s lovely. Just don’t look too closely.

The sheep however, are in ovine heaven, up to their hocks in Irish green grass. We have never had so much great grass, and still have over 150 bales of hay in the barn.

Skip desperately needed a bath (so said my nose–anyone else notice a strong “doggy” smell in intact males?); can I just say how grateful I am that I spent a few extra hundred dollars to have a hot water line outside?

He is such a good boy. He doesn’t really like it, but he’s so good about it. Notice the glass in the background–I learned to dilute the shampoo a lot before putting it on the dog. Makes rinsing so much easier. (Thank you groomers!)

Jim rocks at getting the perfect shake off photo!

Skip loves the drying off part. Lots of body rubs and massages.

Maggie and Skip both went to the vet today; great news for Maggie! Her kidneys are doing well. Her BUN is just slightly over normal (2.7) and her Creatine is dancing on top of the normal range (1.5, down from 1.9 in March). Nicely concentrated urine, so yay! Had a long talk with Dr Eric (Mazomanie Vet Clinic) about Skip’s heart (displaced mitral valve) and extreme overheating, stay tuned.

May some good news come into your life today, even if it’s a flower that bloomed for the first time today, an extra yummy piece of chocolate, or that magical moment when your dog gets the trick and does it every time with a grin on their face.