Long Island Trip

LM works regularly for local car dealers, moving cars between dealerships and sometimes bringing cars here for customers who purchase on line. When he got a call last week to pick-up a car on eastern Long Island, NY, he knew there was only one co-driver he wanted to share that trip. Seeing it was a work holiday for me, here was his chance to finally show me one of his favorite places...the North Fork of eastern LI. We set out from his house just after 4 am on Monday morning. This is the sun coming up at Cape Cod Kia as we picked up the car we would drive to the island ferry in New London, CT, to take us across LI Sound to Orient Point.
We planned to take this ferry but after arriving early, they put us on the freight boat.....
Waiting to depart, and set out on the Thames River which leads to LI Sound....beautiful morning of what would be a record-breaking hot day on LI

Just leaving the dock - looking back on New London
Just across from our departure point, is the Electric Boat Company, submarine division
As we were pulling out, two tug boats were about to launch a submarine which had probably been in for repairs. Very interesting and intense moments as the tugs worked, tooted and moved the sub.
The smaller boat is a Coast Guard boat which had guns exposed on deck as it guarded the launch process.
We moved along pretty quickly and there were beautiful sites along the banks


An unusual lighthouse in the background
Another pretty lighthouse....this is a very rocky area
After an hour or so, approaching Orient Pt, LI
LM's been extolling the beauty of eastern LI to me forever, so I was thrilled to finally see it. It is mostly agricultural with the loveliest little villages, acres and acres of sunflowers in bloom, quaint farm stands and inviting inns, and then there are the vineyards and sod farms. Really lovely! We were on a mission so had to keep going but scenes like this whetted my appetite for the 3-day, non-working stay we have coming up in Southold, NY (just next to Orient Pt) on Sept 11-13. We'll be staying at the beautiful Shorecrest Inn, which we got a glimpse of this trip. On that trip we will see much more and be able to explore backroads and get down to have a look at The Hamptons area on the southeast part of LI.
We continued west to Port Jefferson, NY to pick-up the Saab which I would drive back. Being the last day of a holiday weekend, the traffic was very heavy, and we had a long wait at the Port Jefferson ferry to get back across to CT....VERY LONG....in 98 degree heat. It was an adventure, to say the least. Upon finding we had to wait at least 4 hours, we parked and walked in the broiling sun to find a place for lunch and some AC. We lucked upon this beautiful restaurant, and had a very delightful 2 hrs. My brain being fogged in by the heat, I forgot to take a photo of the beautiful Seafood Salade Nicoise I enjoyed, not to mention the dessert overwhich I lingered on every tiny spoonful: sweet cornmeal cake with local blueberries and peaches, accented by homemade vanilla honey gelato!! LM had a beautiful lobster roll accompanied by heavenly fries, and enjoyed a sorbet assortment...peach, watermelon and blackberry. Mmmmmmmmm. As I waited in a line for the ladies room, a sweet woman asked me if she could confide in me for a minute (we'd exchanged smiles and compliments on the food). She told me that she was there with her family and her best friend from childhood, whom she'd just been told, has only few weeks to live. She just needed to tell someone before returning to the table. We hugged and shared comforting thoughts. You just never know when you smile at someone, where it will lead.
Finally, we tore ourselves away from the lovely restaurant and its cooling AC, and made the long walk in blistering heat, to the car and make the try at getting on another ferry....getting there was so hard as the traffic in this tiny town was overwhelming and we had to circle through many tiny little streets to get into the ferry line. FINALLY, they let us on....
Here we are lined up about to drive on to the ferry, but not before another 1 hr wait.
We were safely back on Cape Cod by 10:30 Sunday night and although it was long and very hot, we had such fun. Everything with LM is an adventure and fun.
Now we cannot wait to go back for our 3 day B & B stay on Long Island in September...we saw the Inn and it is BEAUTIFUL.
Today we are going to a seaside reunion of LM's foster family who raised him from the age of 5. Should be fun. He has one foster sister left and they remain close as they live here in Hyannisport. He was so lucky to be taken in by that family.
Big news for me anyway....I bought a new car yesterday. My dearly loved 2004 Kia Spectra is nearing 71,000 miles, making a few noises and in need of a timing belt, so when I had the chance to buy a beautiful slightly used Toyota Camry at a good price from one of the dealers he drives for, we jumped at it. Pictures forthcoming.......it's a pretty silvery green!

Let's Go to the Beach - Cooling Off

We're havin' a heat wave here on Cape Cod......Sunday, the 4th, we had a lovely day....despite some unusually high temps for this sandy elbow we live on. Capping off a perfect day, LM and I drove to nearby Red River Beach in South Harwich on Nantucket Sound to walk along the water's edge for an hour or so....it was about the only place we could find a cooling breeze and it felt so good to have our feet in the water and feel the waves slapping against our very warm selves.....it was peaceful and fun, as we walked along, hearing the laughter of many who lingered late into the day drifting on the breezes, along with the soaring terns and gulls. Come along with us for a bit.......

As always, when near the water, LM must scan for fish.....he got back to the car before me, and this was the scene as I made my way up the beach.....do you suppose he was scanning for bikinis, too???
"Just looking for fish, Sweetie"
Quickly, we were on our way home to sleep early, as we were arising at 4 am to launch our car trip to Long Island on Monday....very long day, and scarily hot, but very beautiful and worth every second. As always, LM makes every trip an adventure. Not too many photos of that day but I will post what I have tomorrow.
Keep cool everyone. This is such a beautiful summer so far......not sure why but there's only been
1 and 1/2 nights of cramping/pain since last Sat. What a relief. Thanks for the comments and comfort. You are all the best.

Teddy Time

Last Sunday, I spent some very special time with my son, Jason, and his dear little one, Teddy...here are some pictures from that day....so very sweet and fun.




Today, LM and I are on a trip to the North Fork of Long Island New York to pick up a car for a local dealer....hope to report in with some pics later this week. I've never been there and cannot wait. We will be taking the ferry from New London. CT in the early morning.

Wild Beauty

Happy Independence Day!
This has been one of the most beautiful weeks I can remember here. Clear skies, very dry air, the sunshine lighting the flowers at their peak of beauty. At lunch I have been going to a little park near this beach and took a few photos around me on Thursday, while watching many families playing in the water.
From the bench at Oyster Pond:....a mare's tail sky.

The view directly in front of "my" bench.
Behind my bench....this lovely bow-roofed home has a perfect view of Oyster Pond and lovely gardens.


One night last week, LM and I went for a walk in the early evening fog at West Dennis beach and these are a few shots taken along the way.
Wild roses

Wild rosehips, prized for their medicinal value, tea, and jelly made locally.
Queen Anne's lace
Shortly after that nice walk, we stopped to have ice cream in W. Harwich and as we parked these beautiful roses, lilies and privet filled the heavy foggy air with scent.

Yesterday morning before work, I took this photo of the iconic Hydrangea Walk house, with their namesake flowers at peak. My company did a massive renovation/restoration of this house in 2008. It is a local treasure owned by lovely people.
Well, that is a little glimpse of my place on this wonderful planet. Hope you are all having a lovely 4th weekend!

Perhaps the Answer is in Cyberspace??

After what seemed like years of writing out my grief, sadness and struggles here, over the last few months, I've found myself mostly writing about daily life, sharing family and writing around those photos. I love it, and especially love the friendships, wisdom and mutual support system which has become a unique and wonderful part of my life.
Of course, there are other aspects, challenges and great joys happening here at what used to be Chez Ms G, and this one may seem minor in the big scheme of things, but to me it is more and more all-consuming. Last night, as I faced "the dragon" once more, it occurred to me that I could put this worthy opponent out to you, all my friends, and perhaps in your infinite wisdom, would lie the answer, so here it is:
......for 20+ years I have suffered from SEVERE bouts of muscle cramping in my feet and legs....sometimes in my hands, too. I can tell when I will be having a siege of it, as during the day I will have random twitching or tightening of muscles, and a weird shakiness inside. As night comes on, what feels like electric surges will start and my feet will begin to curl up in cramps - it feels like restless leg syndrome, which I've had on occasion, except I am up and moving around when it starts. For many of these years, it would only happen on Friday nights (I know it sounds really strange, but that is me, I guess). As I try to go to sleep, my limbs begin to seize up in pain, twisted and refusing to be straightened......many, many nights, I can only attempt to walk around for hours in my house. I cannot lay down or sit without deepening cramping. There have been times when the pain was so severe from hip to toes, that I have fallen and injured myself, and also,vomited from the pain. Some nights the seizures never abate, and at other times, they die down after several hours. It is so random, as to be baffling. There can be months between episodes, and as is the case now, it happens almost every night. Hours have been spent researching and tracking behavior on the nights/days it happens, even following what I eat and drink.
I used to workout in a pool daily....for probably 10 years. I had to stop after nearly drowning and being seriously injured when my legs, in full spasms of cramps, got caught in the ladder upon trying to get out.
On to what I have done to unearth the cause and stop this torture....of course, I have discussed this with my doctor. She has made many stabs at rooting out causes.....magnesium and calcium and potassium deficiencies have all been dealt with, and yet, these cramps continue. Years back I tried quinine to no avail. I have tried warm baths before bed, muscle relaxants, and natural remedies with no results at all. On a normal night, I have no trouble at all falling asleep, as I use meditational breathing and calming several hours before sleep whenever I can.
Nothing is working here and I am beginning to panic. Last week, this whole thing had reached a crescendo, and after bloodwork, I was found to be severely potassium deficient, directed to immediately take a supplement, eat lots of bananas, and drink orange juice, and right away, I had 5 days without cramping, well, one night, I had a minor foot cramp.

To my complete frustration, I sit here this morning, having had no sleep after an entire night of terrible cramping. I just want to sob. We have a beautiful weekend ahead of us and LM and I planned it to be just for us, with a lot of rest, grilling, and an evening of mini-golf with Kristi (oh, does she love mini-golf!!) sprinkled in, as we celebrate July 4th. Now, I am dreading it all because I fear cramping will disturb our much needed rest......when I am with LM on the weekends, he is pulled into the frenzy of these cramping events and it makes me feel worse.

Some other info....I take a small amount of BP med which has no indication for cramping or leg pain, Protonix for ulcer, also no contra-indications, thyroid replacement, Levoxyl (I lost my thyroid gland to cancer), and Premarin (I have thought this could be the culprit but have been unsuccessful in going off it due to terrible night sweats), again though, no contra-indications. I am once again, trying to go off it.

If anyone out there has any suggestions, I would be ever so grateful. I am at my wits end.
As I sit here today, there are little twitches and the threat of a cramp here and there so I know the siege has not passed. This is all minor compared to the suffering of many, but it sure does affect the quality of my life and happiness.
Any suggestions, shared experiences would be so helpful......

Meanwhile, I wish everyone a great Independence Day weekend, and there will be a special posting on Sunday of some natural beauty around Chatham.

Shower for Laurie

Last Saturday was a lovely shower/party for my friends, Jeff and Laurie, who are getting married on August 7th. (Click on the link to read their story!)
Laurie arrived home from a day at the beach with her "man of honor," Peter, to find her house full of friends and family, waiting to surprise her with a lovely array of gifts and good wishes.
Pretty flowers and incredible cake, in keeping with their seaside/boating theme.
Laurie and her wedding attendants
....with her lovely Mom
Jeff arrived back from a day-long fishing trip, just in time to help open gifts.
Laurie's sweet dog, Gracie, was a big helper, too, and dispensed lots of kisses.
Opening their favorite gift, a portable, cordless marguerita maker....

A dear friend and fellow boater, gave them this beautiful nautical map of Buzzards Bay and the Cape Cod Canal.
It was really fun and soon will be time for me to present them with the quilt.....eeeeek.....I hope they like it. The quilt will be back in my hands for finishing on July 10 and pictures will be forthcoming.