Tag: Once Upon A Tide

This, that, and something that might piss you off

     Two weeks into our new fitness regimen – so far Mike has lost 15 lbs!! Me- just 3. The skinny on Nutrisystem – it works… if you strictly follow their plan. The food doesn’t taste bad and you don’t feel deprived, (heck …some of their “snacks” are a chocolate cupcake, a soft pretzel!)…. you do add small quantities of fresh fruit and veggies , but I don’t like the processed food idea. What the plan teaches is what we all really know already, portion control and calorie intake. 

     We’ve learned we need to eat about a third of what we were consuming to lose and then maintain a healthy body weight. We are both working out cardio and light weights daily, and when I really don’t want to be in the gym I at least take the dogs for a hike up and down hills at a good pace at the back of our farm. Keep moving!  The other key is water water water. I have fibromyalgia (chronic muscle soreness and stiff) and have discovered that pushing myself to work out even though I’m sore is helping me feel stronger, not weaker. Sleep is improved too when you make yourself work out daily. It’s frustrating that men lose the weight so much quicker than us women, though. Seriously… WTF. 


Here’s a detox drink someone shared on FB, gonna give it a go. Anyone try it? 


   Stella’s interior renovation continues… 

Stackable washer dryer unit closet where there used to be a small coat closet. One of only two closets in all of Stellas makeup.  Stella isn’t big enough to house Melania’s shoes, so we will need to be sparing with what we will bring for summer stays. 



 The 2nd bedroom has been bead boarded – because bead board doesn’t have the integrity of wainscote we will paint it, mostly likely an ivory white. 

 The ceiling will remain as is, with a clear coat of something to bring out the wood grain.  It had a low hanging ceiling that we ripped out to give a feel of more space.



 Yesterday we had 55 degree temps and the  sunshine on the water twinkled like diamonds….











  This book was recommended to me… to help understand the mentality behind what just happened in our political environment.  Any reviews?……. 






  Finally, the part that might piss you off.  I’m hoping you just get a chuckle out of it.  Several people have asked me where I got the nickname for the President-Elect – “Orange Scream”.   ……………

*sigh






Till soon, friends…. 



Some Artistic Inspiration / Notes from the Swamp

    I love sea glass and have a large vase full of it – pieces collected over the years by myself, my mom and friends.  While browsing pinterest a few days ago I saw sea glass art by various artists and loved the simplicity and beauty of a few of the pieces. I gathered some of my best blue hues and bought an inexpensive frame and some Gorilla Glue at Michaels Crafts – within a half hour I had a little sea glass treasure I will hang somewhere in the cottage. 






This is another find I will put together to hang over one of the windows, perhaps during the next snow storm. I don’t browse pinterest or etsy often but when I do I’m always amazed –  lots of inspiration can be found there, so many talented people.  Note: Copying an artists ideas isn’t something you should do if you have any intention of selling what you create.  It’s done all the time but not cool when the artist is trying to make a living at what they do. 









  News from the Swamp:


The orange scream is breaking from 11 presidents worth of tradition by firing Charles Brotman, who has announced every inauguration parade since Eisenhower in 1957.   The 89 year old, who is still very capable of doing his job,  received an e-mail stating his services were no longer needed. Needless to say, he’s pretty heartbroken. 


-What an assh*le.  That’s not even a political move. That’s just an assh*le move. 





I’m not a big fan of Hollywood in general but I do love a good movie and a talented actor/actress.  Meryl Streep is one of my favorites and I just loved what she had to say at the awards show the other night. For the Orange Scream to call her an “overrated actress” is just the icing on his daily twitter ridiculousness.   Bravo, Meryl.  And Bravo Anne Donahue, whoever you are. 




The Orange Scream now denies he mocked a disabled reporter – sorry, dude. It’s out there for the world to see, there’s no misunderstanding here.  Click on link if you need a refresher.  That’s just disgusting in anyones opinion, I sure hope. 


https://youtu.be/PX9reO3QnUA




AND… In case you missed it, here’s the federal week in review:


1. Trump  fires all Ambassadors and Special Envoys, ordering them out by inauguration day.


2. House brings back the Holman rule allowing them to reduce an individual civil service, SES positions, or political appointee’s salary to $1, effectively firing them by amendment to any piece of legislation. We now know why they wanted names and positions of people in Energy and State.


3. Senate schedules 6 simultaneous hearings on cabinet nominees and triple-books those hearings with Trump’s first press conference in months and an ACA budget vote, effectively preventing any concentrated coverage or protest.


4. House GOP expressly forbids the Congressional Budget Office from reporting or tracking ANY costs related to the repeal of the ACA.


5. Trump continues to throw the intelligence community under the bus to protect Putin, despite the growing mountain of evidence that the Russians deliberately interfered in our election.


6. Trump breaks a central campaign promise to make Mexico pay for the wall by asking Congress (in other words, us, the taxpayers) to pay for it.


7. Trump threatens Toyota over a new plant that was never coming to the US nor will take jobs out of the US.


8. House passes the REINS act, giving them veto power over any rules enacted by any federal agency or department–for example, FDA or EPA bans a drug or pesticide, Congress can overrule based on lobbyists not science. Don’t like that endangered species designation, Congress kills it.


  Because from what I have seen within my own social group, most Trump supporters will not have read this far, too offended.  If you did manage to get to this point in my post, what is it about this that you are able to dismiss?  Why are these things ok by you?  


Please, all – Wake up to what is actually happening to our beloved country. I’m not telling you to give up your beliefs – conservative, moderate, go left, go right, go high – but whatever you do, please don’t go low.  Get involved  in ways that are comfortable to you – support causes that you feel strongly about, attending rallies and protests if that’s your thing. Please don’t sit and do nothing.  Decency above all.  It matters.  


– Just… sayin. 





Winter in New England and a peek at Stellas Current Interior Situation

     I am eternally grateful for living in an area of the country I truly love. In my much younger years I believed I was meant to live in warmer climes, but as I matured I came to appreciate all that the four seasons have to offer, in particular the natural beauty that amazes with each turn.  We have beautiful farms,  historic homes, buildings, neighborhoods,  cultural exposure in our cities (both New York and Boston are within two hours reach), decent school systems and Universities.  The diversity of our people is the icing on the cake. Oh, I’m aware of the -snob or aloof- rep New Englanders have – truth is I haven’t seen much of it.  We have some real Salt of the Earth People in these parts and they value our homeland in the same ways.    Love where you live?  In the comments, share your location and it’s treasures.  
   Farm chores during the winter season can be trying, however. A Two week respite down south sure sounds great right about now.  These are the days when I look at my Florida folks pictures and say – oh, wouldn’t that be nice in the month of January or February, when the cold starts to grate.
      My  horse herd are all geriatric at this point. The three big amigos are still ridden when the ground allows it. I keep them blanketed in winter to help them keep weight on – a task that becomes more difficult for horses as they age.  If only that were true of people! It gets easier and easier to keep weight on as the years roll forward.. *sigh. 
Opie is now 20 years old.. 
Max is 21….
And little Max is 29-ish. 
The minis have coats but they are only used in temps below 20.These guys have a very heavy natural winter coat as you can see.   Coady and Lacey are 18 and 19 years old this spring…

My chickens are an aging flock too… the oldest two are six years old, no longer laying. In winter months I give them oatmeal sprinkled with fruit. If it doesn’t help them stay warm, it makes me feel better anyway.  Who woulda thought I’d become a doting chicken mama.

We’re expecting more snow today…. the guys will be plowing and I will be worrying that they are ok out there. 
Meanwhile… down by the sea…
   The guys have moved inside now that the exterior is complete – grateful because the temps have dropped, even more so down by the water. Stella is getting some beadboard work and the kitchen wall has been pulled out, a counter with stools will replace it.  The counter area will be small…. so we’ll go to our granite and marble supplier to pick out a chunk of leftover something for a discount price. The kitchen itself is very small, but with that wall removed the whole cottage has a more open feel, the cooking space not  so claustrophobic. 
The pano distorts the way the cottage is laid out, put you get the picture…
 The old farmhouse sink is a gem we shall keep.  The counter will run along that stretch on the right, the small range will be where that white microwave the guys are using sits right now. Small fridge on opposite wall.  

 Till soon, friends… 

Let there be Light – and the third day revelation

      While furniture hunting for Stella in a thrift store last week I spied a pair of matching hurricane lamps on sale for $45.  I didn’t buy them at the time but I kept thinking about them after.  Yesterday the pull was too great and I found myself back at the store gazing at the pair.  Not far from them was yet another. We need about five lamps for the entire cottage and there are no light switches, all lighting is of the plug in variety.  I want a vintage look where I can manage it, so these would be perfect… if they work. 
      I had the manager pull the lamps down off the high shelf they rested on and asked him to confirm that they are in working condition… two of the three work fine, all in good condition including the cords, but the third has a broken twist switch thing.  When we saw this I told him I would take the two that work. When we got up to the counter with my finds, he also wrapped the broken one and said I could have it for free, and it’s an easy fix for an electrician.  
     I know just the guy, he’s currently working on Stellas Electrical stuff.  Here are my finds… Let there be Light! 
The lamp below is the one with a twin. 
    Regarding the revelation – we started the Nutrisystem plan three days ago.  I can tell you this – the entrees we’ve eaten so far aren’t bad. The portions are very small but if you follow the plan, it’s all do-able. Adding fresh veggies and fruit in moderation plus drinking plenty of water is the key.  My husband will remain on the diet for at least several months, he really likes it and is finding he does not feel deprived for the most part.   For me?… too much gluten content and therefore a bloated belly.  I am not a celiac, but there’s no question gluten doesn’t like me.  Having it occasionally is OK, but a daily intake of food with gluten in it bloats me out, and that’s what happened within three days of  this diet.  I chatted online with one of their counselors, he was very helpful.  He said most of the nutrisystem entries do have gluten in them, including things that don’t have WHEAT in them, so if you are a gluten sensitive person they don’t recommend the plan.  I did know going in that there was much that contained gluten. I had hoped with the very small portions it wouldn’t bother me so much. 
   Bottom line, the Mr. will continue, and it’s a do-able program for those not looking to be rid of gluten for the most part in their diet.  All is not lost, however – I now see what my portions need to be and have learned through their instructions how to incorporate fresh fruits, veggies and water in the right portions – with smart snacks inbetween.    The downside to Nutrisystem is, you do receive a month supply of food with each delivery and  it costs $90 to cancel. Yep, that’s a big cancellation fee.  I also have a month’s worth of food I’m not going to use – but the Mr. will make use of it so it will not go to waste. 
  On a political note – how’bout them power-drunk  GOP’ers trying to eliminate the Ethics committee in a shady-deal evening  un-publicized meeting.   This is a  committee that is designed to make sure congress remains… you know… ETHICAL.   Now, I am not coming to the dark side with the following statement, as a FB friend suggested, but I like to think I’m open minded enough to give credit where credit is due, unlike many of the Obama hating crew.  I  give the  Trump Tweet regarding this issue  that accompanied all the cries of outrage on both sides of the isle a high five, the public outrage forcing  the GOP to flip flop on the decision. The whole thing reminds me of  cockroaches in an apartment – like when the light in the kitchen is turned on and they all scurry down the drain.   Granted.. it’s just a tiny little vernal pool on the side of that huge swamp he promised to drain, but we’ll take it.  Indeed… Let There Be Light. 

Stella’s Christmas, NutriSomething and a huge thanks to you

    Needless to say we’re all pretty excited about Stella and the good times we will share there.  One of the reasons we decided on a little place not far from home is the entire family can enjoy it frequently without the hassle (and worry) of significant travel.  Because we’re in the field of work that overhaul and maintenance requires, the renovation and upkeep were doable with our own crew.  Big Plus.  When we contemplated a home on the Vineyard or Vermont, two things deterred us.  1. The cost of housing there is outrageous now and 2. we would have to hire out the work to people we don’t know and repairs of any sort would also be done by people we don’t know.  Having Stella so close by keeps all that in M’s control. 
   The kids were extremely thoughtful with their gifts to us this Christmas. With Stella in mind, the following were “under our tree”…
    My son worked with our stone guru to create this fire pit on the edge of the blue stone patio – it is a free form creation complete with quartz – the stone mostly collected here on the farm.  “S”  has a way of laying stone so that without the encumbrance of mortar these stones will stand the test of time placed on their own.  The remaining stone he didn’t use still needs to be removed and I will lay a garden around the base, but the form is clear in these pictures. Yesterday we saw the finished work and absolutely love it.  Thank you M junior for such a thoughtful gift we will all enjoy for many years to come.   Our friend S did most of the stone walls here on the farm over the past seven years and the foundation and porch here at This Old House –  This man has overcome some major struggles in his life, most recently a significant bout with Lyme Disease. His work takes a great deal of physical strength and he is quite gifted with stone…. I am so thrilled that Stella will have some of his work in her little yard an that he is regaining his health through really hard work and determination. 

     PS.. Did I mention a Priest lives in the next yard over?  I told my husband we’re gonna need to clean up our language when sitting on the deck, as he’s definitely within earshot.  Funny thing is… when M finally had a conversation with him, during the course of that conversation his response to a question was something like  “Oh, you don’t need to worry about that shit”.    LOL.  I feel so much better now.  We’ll get along just fine. 
    My daughter also gifted us with some beautiful things for Stella –  this is a wind chime she found on Etsy – made from recycled materials –  including old spoons! Love it…  I’m told the sound is a very soft soothing  tinkling… 
A beautiful shell wreath  too… 
I found a re-worked dresser at another thrift store called The Picking Pot. 

 Very sturdy and the soft ivory color falls right in line with the light neutral hues
I want to adorn the cottage with.  Stella is so small there will only be room
for a bed and dresser in each of the two bedrooms. I’m still looking for 
one more dresser and a queen bed frame. I’m taking the advice to not buy crap
I won’t be happy with down the line – so far I have managed to find thrift store
pieces I love. 
     The Mr. and I have started the Nutrisystem program as of yesterday. While I’m not thrilled with the idea of  the processed food that was delivered a few days back, so far it doesn’t taste bad and seems like it will be manageable.  Adding fresh veggies and fruits is recommended as well.   I plan to stay on it for one to two months, as I’m just looking for a weight loss jump start. My goal is to lose 15 pounds, and with the success I’ve heard about on this program, if I can just stick with it, it should get me to my goal. Then I need to stay with the portion sizes and calorie intake  this program teaches, and maintain the weight loss.    The Mr. wants to stay on it a little longer as he has bigger weight loss goals.   What I have already learned in two days is PORTION CONTROL.. and water intake.. are very important for any kind of weight loss.  We love food and we don’t drink much or smoke at all, so food has been our vice over the years. 
  That’s lunch.  See what I mean? PORTIONS. Holy cow, we’ve been going overboard by about 1000 percent. 
    I’d like to thank each of you who comes here and converses in the comments section from time to time.  Our shared experiences and advice is cherished.  Some of you have been visiting this space for over six years and you’ve become dear friends.  FB helps us keep in touch even more (one of the actual GOOD things about social media, and yes there are some redeeming qualities to it) and I’m glad to have come to know you.  
  Happy, Healthy 2017 to All – may we find peace of mind and strength in unity. 
Love, Karen 

Edith’s Chair

     We’ve gone over budget on Stellas exterior.. kinda like going in for a little botox in the frown lines and coming out with an entire facelift, a new hair color and style and a chemical peel for good measure.
      AND..we still have the interior.  M and the guys have begun the work but it will be minimal because of the exterior splurge.  Then we need the furnishings to make this house a home and that’s going to be even more minimal because 

DON’TBuyANYTHINGforChriseSakeWe’reWAYoverBUDGET!  @#!*      
    
      A few things will have to be bought new – mattresses (the previous tenant left his mattresses, but I just can’t….. )   a new small range, a small stackable washer/dryer.  The rest I’m going to look around for in thrift stores, etc.  There is a consignment thrift store in Branford called Consign & Design. They’ve got some great deals and a 20 % off sale this week, 50% off all vintage christmas decor too.  I could have gone crazy with the old fashioned Santas, sleighs, books and such….. (my grandmother had a few of these)

but I held back, remembering Stella’s immediate needs and the husbands sanity, hence my own. 

     I found two things that I was pretty excited about, though. A good once-over and a glance at the price and there was no question they were coming to live with Stella.   What a find – a beautiful provincial chair which appears to have been reupholstered recently because there is no wear whatsoever on the fabric…. for $117. minus 20%.    It’s super sturdy and comfortable, the fabric sturdy and capable of heavy use…..the champagne color is perfect for the earthy soft neutrals vibe I want in the cottage.  The style might be a bit fancy but the price makes that perfectly OK. This will do the trick.

     The chair reminds me of Edith Bunker from the long-ago series All In the Family.  If you’re as old as I am you probably grew up with it…Do you remember that show? Amazing what they were able to get away with, great actors covering real issues of the times in a clever way that we all could relate to and have a good laugh over.  I have fond memories of  my softspoken  grandparents chuckles and out-loud laughter every time Archie let out another obnoxious statement as Edith softened the blow.   Edith’s actual chair wasn’t as nice as this one. After all the crap she put up with from that horrible lovable man, she deserved a chair like this, don’t ya think? 

Not far from the chair were a pair of Rayo Hurricane Lamps, once oil, now reworked electric. 
$30. each, minus 20%.  I loved the table underneath with marble top, but I’m not sure I’ll have a need for it yet so I let that go because
DON’TBuyANYTHINGforChriseSakeWe’reWAYoverBUDGET!  @#!* 

 The milk glass shade on this one is tarnished (smoker? Nicotine stain it looks like) and I couldn’t get it to come clean so I will look for a replacement shade.  The other is still a beautiful milk glass white. 
  While I was collecting these treasures my son met with the stone master who built the fireplaces and stone walls here at This Old House and farmstead.  His Christmas gift to us this year was a fire pit he and Steve will incorporate into the waterfront patio.  The stones will come from our farm and there will be a little bit of custom work that involves quartz Steve has collected over the years – stay tuned.. 
     Stone isn’t the only thing we’re incorporating from the farm – Because we changed the topography some with the patio, the railings on the sea wall needed redoing.  We mulled over the options –  Each cottage seems to do their own thing along the waterfront – there isn’t a lot of continuity.  We wanted a look that wouldn’t be too intrusive to the view or too contemporary.  There are plenty of cedar trees in the woods behind our farm, so we brought some down to the cottage and M drew up a simple pattern. This is what we ended up with…
The Electrician has re-installed the outdoor lighting now that the siding is complete…..
    and the railing to the water  has been replaced. We didn’t use cedar here, pressure treated wood is necessary as the water comes up to the steps at high tide.  
 This picture taken during extreme low tide, when so many little treasures can be found at waters edge.  The difference between low and high tide amazes me still… the water comes up to the steps at high tide, in a matter of hours. 
         Thanks for stopping by – Till soon, friends…. 

Warmth

 We discovered Stella’s gas stove works just fine, and just in time for the menfolk to begin interior work. 
Trim work around the windows …. 
 Gate so little dogs and eventual toddlers don’t go wandering… 
Outdoor shower 
 We’ve got some snow on the ground this morning, but it’s soon to turn to rain –  The deep freeze lasted about 24 hours, warmer temps on the horizon.  Around these parts Christmas isn’t quite Christmas until the snow falls.  I don’t know how you Floridians and other warm climate area peeps find the spirit without the snow, but I know you have your ways just as we northerners have ours.  If you’ve got a  Christmas decorations pic you’d like to share, please leave your blog post link in the comments section.  I love to see the different forms of “Christmas” in regions not my own, north, south, east or west. 
These were taken at 6 AM this morning… notice the lights in the front left corner of the house are out.. that’s where Bens bed is, a dog must have darkness to get a good sleep, don’t ya know. 
I’m writing lists for our Holiday family dinner here at the farm – buffet style.  This app looks delish and easy to make, going to try it.  Ask me how much I love artichoke spinach dip. 

 


Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.Easy Spinach Artichoke Cups

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 c. sour cream
  • 1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella
  • 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese
  • 1 c. canned artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
  • 1 (10) oz. package frozen spinach, drained and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tube crescent dough
  1. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, artichokes, spinach, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
  2. Flour your work surface, roll out crescent dough, and pinch seams together. Cut into 24 squares. Place squares into muffin tin slots and spoon 1 tablespoon of dip into the dough.Top with remaining mozzarella.
  3. Bake until pastry is golden and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.

Stella, dear.. you look maavelous

  We pulled up this morning to check out the progress and the smile was plastered on my face for the entirety of our visit.  Ear to ear, I’m telling ya.  The boyz have been busy all week wrapping up the outside work before the great chill descends.. (it’s actually landed, the water buckets here at the farm are freezing).   Just a few trim details left and then on to the interior. 
     I walked around her perimeter like a little girl clinging to her mothers skirts, admiring mom all dressed up for a night out.  

Long Island Sound and the Atlantic are at the mouth of the cove, which you can see off in the distance in the pic below… 
 My blog friend Sara sent this lovely image, she’s been collecting seaweed letters for a project for her family and she put this together for me… thank you, Sara!   http://sharleystudio.blogspot.com/

Windows to the Soul and The Twittering Twit.

 Stellas old leaky chipping cranky windows have been replaced….  and soon the siding will be complete. 

Next up.. we tackle the interior.

  Right here is where all my blog friends who are Trump fans get off the bus so as not to offend you, because that’s not my intent.  You have your reasons, I know. 
                                                          ****************************
   While I keep trying to GET OVER IT ALREADY,  LET GO OR BE DRAGGED, blahblahblahblahblah…. that’s nearly impossible when DJT keeps dishing out the ridiculous and many just keep consuming it with reckless abandonment of what we ALL really consider to be normal, rational, respectful, SAFE behavior. 

     I’d sure like to see the person about to take the highest office arguably in the World put down his twitter account and start behaving with the class and dignity and personal restraint his position requires. Because of his inflaming personality and refusal to follow protocol, it’s going to be a looong four years – he’s going to be the subject of more than a few parodies too. Grow a skin, Donald, you’re gonna need it.   
    
      Seriously….   I’m referring to one of the biggest ball breakers in the history of ever!  The hypocrisy and the whining are laughable, if it weren’t so pathetic given the position he’s about to take.  He can’t handle a SNL Skit!  He’s slamming other countries on TWITTER  for Cripes sake.  Please, may the powers that be – help him get over himself and get on with “making America great again”. Although we already live in a Great Country, just to be clear. I wish he would stop taking credit for things he didn’t really do.  Yeah. THAT.

– Just Sayin




Where she’s at…

     Sally, you’ve won the book give away – I’m shipping off The Girl On The Train and a surprise book as well.   
      
     Todays progress at the cove…  Stellas streetside porch is not really one you can sit on comfortably, it’s more for show.  There was a little bench there and I might paint it and put it back in place, but if you sit on it, you’re pretty much inches from the railing, knees maybe hitting.  I *love* the door color next to the stained cedar shingle.  It’s easy on the eyes, no? 

 Walkway around the side of the house… there will be a small outdoor shower behind the wheelbarrow.. bricks have been laid as the flooring.

     Waterside, on the deck, new fortified doors that tell the mice to kiss off.  You know, truth.. I used to have pet mice, when I was a teenager. Satins!  I hid them from my mother pretty well for a while, until they got loose.  That was a terrible day.  We’ll end the story right there.

Stella is tucked into this scene, about half way up the coastline here….  The rock jetty borders the cove and marshland preserve behind it.   
There are two islands in our cove,  both inhabited.  One came available several years ago at a bargain basement price.  We thought about a purchase for two seconds, and realized every.single.trip to get anything at all would mean getting in a little boat to get to the car to get to the…..  I’m glad we waited for Stella.  
 Remember these?  Found hanging in Stella’s garage…. 
     
      Those little shells are found all over the shore and I haven’t yet learned what they’re called, but they look like pearls that exploded.  I should google it… 
       
    Our work on the outside of the cottage will be completed soon. The winds have picked up and the temps have dropped, especially down on the shoreline, hence the rush to get it done and spare the work crew the bitter chill. Because we went over budget on the outside, it’s looking like the interior will get a good scrubbing and a new coat of paint and that’s just about it for this year.  We’ll also need furnishings, as what remained went into the dumpster.   I’ll be looking for bargains and vintage finds in neutrals with blue hues. 
   Funny thing about this cove.  On one side, you have Stella and her friends -lovely, little, uncomplicated, charming, old, rustic, cottagey cottages, some of which are crumbling just a wee bit.  On the opposite side, behind me here…are the “HAVES”.  The homes are quite stately, most starting in the millions range. We get to look at their lovely facades, they pay the huge taxes and look over at Stella and Company.   It was rumored (and some still believe it) that Derek Jeter bought his parents a home there.   For years we stared at a house that even had yankee colored umbrellas on the patio OMG!!…  across the cove for hours on end hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Binoculars may have been used.   I may or may not have kayaked over there .. casual-like…just to get a closer look.  This year because we are OWNERS now, a local who would know said… My friends live there, it’s not Derek Jeters house.  Really.  My kids even babysat. It’s.not.Jeters.house. 
Oh… kay.  🙁    Just a little wind was let out of the sails of a certain Ever-Yankee-Loving husband.     
    
   I just started Woman in Cabin 10 – already, GOOD READ!  Thanks for the suggestion.

Until soon-