Author Archives: Sandi LoConti

Cape Wrap Up

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It has been unusually hot at the beach this year, I mean in the 90s kind of hot. That did not stop me from being on the beach Thursday but on Friday I needed something a bit different. I’m headed to The Loft in West Harwich for a Reflexology Session and Pedicure with Mia Hill. This comes highly recommended by Trudi and the three other women I dined with the other night. Mia is to die for they say. Ok, off I go.

I don’t normally get a pedicure before I come to the Cape because I am extremely hard on my feet. The Girls and I walk about three miles each day, then once on the beach the sand and pedicures DO NOT get along. If there is a day of iffy weather toward the end of my stay I will splurge and go to the spa otherwise I’ll see the ladies at 17 Nails when I get home. Did I mention it’s been extremely hot this year on the Cape? Giving my skin a break is the equivalent of iffy weather in this case.

The Loft is a tiny little house on Route 28 next door to Leddie’s Paint that you can blow right by if you don’t know it’s there. Mia should do something about that… The air is filled with the aroma of spa lavender and lemon grass and the meditation music is playing softly.  So far so good.  The foot bath is steamy and relaxing, the scrub invigorating and the move into the massage table/overstuffed chair is just a sinking in and sinking away from the world.

The Reflexology Association of Canada defines reflexology as:

“A natural healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet, hands and ears and their referral areas within zone related areas, which correspond to every part, gland and organ of the body. Through application of pressure on these reflexes without the use of tools, crèmes or lotions, the feet being the primary area of application, reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body.”

I found reflexology very interesting.  It seemed a series of strokes, taps, pressure application and pauses that was not really systematic but was indeed effective.  I never really knew what method was coming next but the outcome was wonderful.  The session took a full hour and then Mia completed my pedicure with a foot and leg massage and some snappy pink polish. All total I spent two very relaxing hours at The Loft.

As relaxed as I was when I left I also found I had enough renewed energy to get my shopping done at the Chatham Jam and Jelly and Chatham Pottery.  Carol at Chatham J and J is always happy to see me and my list arrive at the shop.  I have a frequent buyer account there and she is always generous with her discount.  She knows if I don’t go home with certain of her stock I’ll be in BIG trouble.

Over the years I’ve collected quite a few of Chatham Pottery’s hydrangea pieces.  I’ve learned to pace myself as they are a bit expensive and I don’t have the room for collections that can’t be put to good use every day.  I’ve learned that “saving” pieces for company is a waste of time so my china and crystal are my everyday dishes and glasses and that gives me huge satisfaction.  As I look around the showroom I see that I’ve got a hell of a good collection and don’t really need anything.  Damn.  And then they show me the oops shelf.  I know all about their seconds but the oops?  Apparently when they try something new and she doesn’t like the design as much as she thought she would it goes onto the oops shelf.  There’s nothing wrong with it, it just doesn’t work for the store.  BUT IT WORKS FOR ME…. The most recent experiment was the hydrangea pattern with an antique wash.  There was a wall mounted planter and a mug.  SOLD!  The mug will be spot-on for tea (pun intended) and hide the tea stain perfectly and the planter works beautifully against my building on the front porch.  Just saying, one person’s oops is my SCORE.

The end of a perfect day.  Tomorrow it’s back to the beach and then home on Sunday after cleaning up the best I can so Trudi doesn’t use my name in vain.  I know she doesn’t and even if I scrubbed from top to bottom she would do it again anyway, God love her she has more energy than anyone I know.

I love my home on Stowe Lane and if I could move it to the Cape, with its quirky (but year round) neighbors and family I would, but that doesn’t seem possible.  At the end of this Cape trip I’ve come to the conclusion that the effort of making a new life for myself in yet another state might not be for me.  I do know like I know that the two weeks I spend there each year do more for my body (not counting the header I took on Tuesday) and soul, my writing, my outlook than anything else in my life.  Then the fact that it cements my friendship with the Cronin’s ever more is the icing on the cake of my vacation.

See you in September, San, Lina and Toto too

 

Dinner on the Cape, Wednesday June 20th

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I always rely on the fact that the Cape will be at least ten degrees cooler than New Jersey.  Not today, its in the 90s.  Unheard of in June according to all the bitching I hear at the Buckie’s when I’m getting my latte.  Doesn’t stop me from getting my usual screaming hot latte and blueberry scone to have at the beach.  As my mother would say, you need something hot on a summer day to regulate your body temperature. Ok Ma.

I really enjoyed the beach today because even though it’s hot there is a wonderful wind coming off the water to keep things from getting to bad.  I’m reading, relaxing, thinking, sleeping.  Perfect.

I normally go back to Willow to walk the dogs, give them fresh water, have lunch and just get out of the sun for a while but today I linger.  There aren’t too many people around and it’s calm and I’m really enjoying my book.  Back at Willow the fan is going for the girls so they’ll be OK for an extra hour.  I enjoy the people watching on the beach, it’s mostly young families and locals and the over heard conversations can be quite interesting.  There is one group of women that sit off to the left side of the beach and preside as only the locals can.  One year I put my chair in their spot and boy did I get an earful, not directly mind you, but overheard in the wind was just as effective.  Never did that again.

I’ve been invited to have dinner with Trudi and a few of her friends tonight.  I wasn’t entirely sure I’d be up to it after a 90 degree day on the beach and I’m not always sure that I’ll fit in up here on the Cape so I was tentative at the invitation.  What the hell am I thinking?  If I’m going to break my habit of isolating myself then I should go. 

I picked Trudi and one of her friends up and off we went to The Port in Harwichport for dinner.  What an enjoyable evening with three wonderful, well read, well-informed and funny women.  We shared a bottle of wine and some very interesting conversation over fresh halibut that was delicious.  Trudi, ever the considerate one, asked me to elaborate on Ordinary Legacy.  I’m still working on my elevator pitch but thankfully everyone could relate and share some of their own legacy stories.  Thank you Trudi, for the invitation and for your support of my little passion. A good time and a most comfortable atmosphere with good food, wine and the company of three very interesting women was most appreciated.

More from the Cape

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Monday, June 18th

It’s cloudy and cold today on the Cape.  We’ve done our walk to Belmont Beach and the poor little house I love so much is getting more and more dilapidated each time I see it.  I’m letting it go,and its possible I no longer think a house is for me.  I’ve become accustomed to communal living and think I’d be much happier in a condo.  I’m not even sure that I want to retire to the Cape any more.  This wonderful place saved me on so many occasions but I’m learning that coastal living has its disadvantages as well as its rewards.  I wonder if the allure would all but disappear if I had to contend with the mold, the rust, the dampness, and the sudden shifts in temperature.  I brought my camera this trip and it occurred to me that considering all the years I’ve been coming here there really isn’t anything new to photograph.  That said, the girls are loving the back yard and they are so much fun to watch in full frolick mode.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

We walked in yesterday to find beautiful new cushion covers on all the furniture, Oh God no.  Needless to say they are covered with sheets because I’ll be damned if my girls will be the first to make a mess.  I know like I know that dodging bullets while on vacation on the Cape is definitely not for me.  Trudi ventured over for a minute and of course the girls forgot who she was and barked their heads off, but that wasn’t the real problem.  Lina put three claw holes in the newly screened back door.  Welcome to the Cape Jersey Girls…luckily Trudi is a dog person, she can cuddle up with Lina and just take it in stride.  So much for I’ll be damned if my girls…

Tuesday, June 19th

Well it’s a banner day for my Lina.  This is only the second day’s walk to the beach and she did NOT poop on the beach.  My little girl is growing up…which perhaps can’t be said about her mother.  Walking back from Belmont I lost my footing on the uneven pavement and went down like a ton.  It’s like flying only I was going the wrong way.  Scraped knees, elbows and road rashed palms.  Quite the vision as Jeanette would say.  The good news is that I discovered Neosporin with pain relief.  It’s a miracle that the young mothers of today know about and nicely shared with a middle aged woman who found herself ass up on Belmont.  The girls just cocked their heads to one side as if to say, what the hell Mom?  Nothing broken, just stiff and looking like an eight year old again. 

Didn’t stop me from going to the beach where it was much cooler that on Willow Street.  True to form the weather has changed to warm over night.   I started the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  My dear Sandra knows exactly what to put in my path when I get stuck.  I am loving this book and its concept.

Later in the evening I had drinks, catch up and lively conversation with the Cronin’s and retired to Willow Street for a very good night’s sleep.

From the Cape, Sunday, June 17th, 2012

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Well Thomas, we’ve arrived. Sorry I wasn’t better company, I’ve had my neighbor Marty on my mind.  The obituary said he died “suddenly” and that to me just smacks of innuendo and, well , possible suicide.  I guess it all comes together when you consider he turned sixty in February and has been out of a job for the last two years.  He was so full of adventure that first year, riding his motorcycle every day, optimistic, friendly.  I guess his demons, as Mary calls them, got the best of him.  I recognized the signs, I’ve seen them so many times before but I know like I know there isn’t anything I could have done.  I’m really feeling for his children.  Grown though they are I’m sad that his death and Father’s Day are so close together, they will suffer doubly year after year.  But they are young adults just starting out and anticipating building their families.  They will keep him alive for their children and they will know him through them.  It reminds me that when Terri and I are gone it’s entirely possible that no one will utter your name again.  The sadness of that makes me tired sometimes.  It’s the reason why I write about you so much, perhaps that will keep your legacy alive.  I was thinking that the residual effects of life are what make up a legacy, I don’t know what the effects will be for Marty but I know that there is so much more to tell about you.  Thanks for watching over us, like I said we’ve arrived.

Decoration Day

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Did you realize the significance of those poppies the VFW are always giving away in exchange for a few dollars each Memorial Day?

In 1915, inspired by the poem “In Flanders Fields,” Moina Michael replied with her own poem: 

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

Decoration day became Memorial Day in 1868 and was first observed on May 30th 1868.  Moina Michael conceived of the idea of wearing the red poppy on Memorial Day to honor the war dead of our nation. The VFW created the “Buddy Program” in 1922 and continued the practice of selling poppies made by disabled veterans who would be paid for their work to provide some financial assistance.  Moina Michael’s image graced a 3cent stamp in 1948 as tribute to her contibution.

So what has Memorial day become?  After making Memorial Day the third Monday in May, it has become the “unofficial start of summer”, a sale day, a three day holiday of barbeques and shore runs.  It is losing its meaning as a day to honor our war dead.  Not to honor those who served, that would be Veteran’s Day, not to honor all the dead, really?  It is the day we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and yes, for our freedom… to barbeque and shop and bake in the sun. 

In December 2000 the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps.”

There is no more mournful sound then that of Taps, it will stop you in your tracks and bring tears to your eyes no matter how strong you are or how little you know of its origins.  It is a fitting tribute and the very least we can do in the sceme of what these heroes have done for us.