CapeCodToday Blog Chowder

Now, you see, down here in Texas, we always called it a "coke". Didn't matter if it was a 7-UP or root beer. It was "coke", as in "do you want to go and get a coke with me tonight?"

I find myself stumbling over the words "Merry Christmas" sometimes in a store. And, that makes me mad that I have allowed society to enfluence me that way. I have been, am, and always will be a Merry Christmas person.

This has been very good so far. I can't wait for the next half. Thanks!

In Texas, there is an annual 2 day bike ride to raise $ for MS. One year, a cyclist brought his German Shepherd by pulling him on a custom doggie trailer for the 180 mile ride. We are talking hill country! He raised over $50,000 because of the dog!

We have similar issues here in Texas. It really gripes me to be at their mercy. I am paying 127/month just for cable and high speed. Meanwhile, they advertise the above plus phone for 99/month. But, it's for NEW customers only. I am thinking about canceling service, waiting, then calling up like I am a new customer.

I am hooked.

Interesting history. How would one find this building?

Is is still safe to vacation on the Cape?

I absolutely loved the story. Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us.

A couple of years ago, while staying in a cottage in Chatham, a neighbor across the lane had come over to my cottage to greet me. She's from Vermont, I am from Texas. We stood just inside the door chatting. I suddenly looked out to the stoop and saw a skunk not 2 feet away from us. Separated only by the screen door, I got a little panicky. We slowly closed the main door and ended up having a much longer visit than planned, waiting for that skunk to go see someone else. No phew, thank goodness!

Lemon squares are one of my most favorite!

I am on the edge of my seat! Great story!

I say Ellen Page (from Juno) would make a great Annie...

I haven't used Vista yet so I cannot make a valid complaint. However, my 83 year old Dad, who knows precious little about computers, got a new computer and of course it came with Vista. He is so frustrated with Vista, he cannot even use it with his limited knowledge of computers. Why do they do this? Not every user is a high tech computer wiz. My new laptop will be a mac.

Happy 25th Anniversary CCRH! It's refreshing in this day and age to see a couple make it 25 years! Yea for you and your wife!

In the movie, do you think if he had asked permission of the fruit's parents, they would have said "ok, you can get married, but you cant'aloup..."

I don't think you are a "wine snob" at all. Is someone a food snob if they only want to eat food they like? Why wouldn't you want to drink wine you like and can afford?

Children's art is just the best. Frame it in a geaat frame and you have a master piece.

All during the holidays, all I could hear in my head was "You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch."

I meant to say that even though there are negatives everywhere, there are far more positives if you make that choice.

Wow, I am a total outsider but still feel a connection with the Cape since I have vacationed there for 16 years every September. I am stunned at the unnecessary comments made on behalf of Jessica's wonderful essay about her move to P'town and quest for happiness. Jessica, hang in there. I think a person can make a choice about the kind of attitude they will have about life. I choose to try and be happy and any spot in the world is not perfect. So, you can start fresh and make it perfect "for you". Good luck and Happy New Year!

Weighing in from Texas: Yikes! I need someone like you here. Clutter at home, car and office. And, let us not forget the mind! Great blog, Jessica, can't wait for more.

Rockhopper, this is one of my favorite ways to do asparagus. Try adding parmesan cheese, lemon pepper & garlic salt with the olive oil. Yummy!

This story is so interesting and suspenseful. I can hardly wait for each chapter. Thanks!

That sounds artery clogging good! Yummy, I will defnately try. By the way, as another Cape Cod wanna-be who makes annual trips to the Cape, I really enjoy your posts.

This is great! I am looking forward to the whole story.

One of my favorite tees has a can on it labeled "Whoop@$$". The caption reads: "Don't make me open this."

No, not too much info! Thanks, very interesting. I will check it out this year in September when I come back to be a "tourist".

Guess I missed this the first time around; where is Kalmus Beach? As a "tourist" for going on 15 years, I knew all the rest, but Kalmus???

I love this story! I look forward each week to the newest chapter. It really takes me back in time! Thanks.

But you did capture the moment. I got goosebumps reading about your night at the beach with the kids. I am going to get my grandkids and take them out for ice cream sundaes. Thanks!

Wait, do yall have roaches? I saw a flying roach about 2 inches long last night before bedtime. It was in my utility room and since I would have to walk through that room to get to garage (where the roach spray is) I decided to let him live another day.
I will try to leave him at home when I come up to the Cape in September!

The Hydrangeas!

I am going to print your list for my annual vacation to the Cape. After 15 years of visits to CC, you have mentioned a few places I have yet to discover. Thanks for a great list.

This is just great! My father always told me to never give up hope; it's the one emotion that will keep you going. Thanks.

I don't know if I can carry a tune in a post but: "It's supper time, supper time, sup sup sup supertime".

Regarding the house crash, if the driver lived there, he would aready by home.

What a cute story. My dog used to bury stuffed animals in the backyard flower bed when I was not looking. I once found my stuffed Babar the elephant doll (who only came out at Christmas)buried a half foot deep and beyond redemption. Not sure what Rio (the dog) had planned for that one.

Not just the vacuum, my dog is also afraid of the baby gate I used when he was a pup to keep him out of certain places. It clattered to the floor one day making a very loud noise. From that day forward, that big ol' weimaraner cowers when he gets near the baby gate!

I was thinking "Ann(i)e Hall...

In southeast Texas, the whole world would stop with a snow like this one. Probably work would be cancelled and for sure the schools would close. Parents would take their kids outside with socks on their little hands for gloves. They would scrape snow from the hood of the car and make little 8" snow people. Dressed in Barbie doll clothes, they are mighty impressive to folks who do not see snow. It's a beautiful sight for about 5 minutes!

I would much rather struggle UP a hill than ride down one. It scares me to death to go too fast down a hill, fearing what might happen if I fall. Looks like you showed us. Glad you are okay and back to enlighten us with your posts.

Don't go away for good. I, for one, enjoy your words and can probably identify with those words as wells as any. I have to be content with my one week or so a year on the Cape. So, dream on and feed my dreams...

And, the verdict is: will you come in September again? I was there at the same time you were and it did seem a little cooler than normal. To me, still wonderful...

Another question comes to mind: when does the definition of "crafter" become something more than crafter? Some folks do miraculous things with their hands but don't think of themselves as crafters. My dad is building an exact replica of a Wells Fargo stagecoach. Almost everything has been handmade. Would I call him a crafter? I do not know but I fear that we are losing valuable talents since these wonderful crafting abilities are not being passed down the generations.

My grandchildren (who call me Grammy) are lucky enough to have several "greats" still around. They call my stepmother "Grand Tracy". She loves it; makes her feel important.

Even after going to the Cape in September for 15 years, always the same time, I still get "antsy" when August arrives. I won't pack yet but I will be obsessing about it all for the next 5 weeks. The Cape is awaiting...

In Texas, it's chili dog for sure. I have never seen one with slaw so that must be the deep south. I agree, the A & W in Harwich has great dogs!

You cannot imagine how much I look forward to seeing your garden photos. As a September visitor to the Cape, I miss out on early summer blossoms. I would like to know what kind of camera/lens you are using to get such great closeups? Thanks, and just know that you are spreading much beauty even deep in the heart of Texas.

Thank you for sharing your garden photos with us. They are great. Beautiful and very inspiring. Keep it up!

Your house looks adorable and very much like the much smaller cottage that I stay in each September when I come from Texas to enjoy the Cape. I love the simplicity of "my cottage" and spend much time while I am there fantasizing what I would do if it were really mine. The one thing that I have come to know is that I could exist with way less possessions that I actually do live with. Have fun and keep us posted with the fun you have adding your own piece of historical significance.

I come all the way from down here in Texas every year (for 15 yrs) and September is my chosen month. However, I haven't been any other time so take this for what it is. As the years have passed, more and more places stay open. There are still some closures but they have always been closed so don't know what I might be missing. The weather is usually great and things are not too crowded. Although, I have seen an increase in Sept. crowds. Still, I probably will continue to do this as long as I am able. My friend always comes the week wrapped around the 4th of July and she wouldn't change that. You might find some deals on lodging after Labor Day and that's an incentive for me. Whatever you do, enjoy your visit to the magical Cape. I say you either get or you don't. You obviously get it.