The last two days have been an exercise in relaxation (and settling in). I was surprised at how much "stuff" we brought with us, but I'm sure we will use mostly everything. Yesterday was Sunday, so we knew we'd stick around the cottage. We watched the tide come in and go out. I pulled out the binoculars and watched a bunch of clammers pull up clams and stow them away in their homemade sled baskets. They are clothed in shorts and tshirts with rubber gloves and rain/sea boots. It is backbreaking work, literally and they are there whenever it is low tide. One always wears a blue shirt and the other wears a red shirt, so we've named them Blue and Red. They are usually bent over and they do not use the old clam rakes. Instead they dig their rubber gloved hands into the muck and use their fingers like a sieve. Then they throw the clams into a makeshift chicken wired box on top of a sled. The sled is used to pull their haul ashore across the mud flats. They spend about 5-7 hours out there at a time and we know when the tide is coming in by their absence from the same place they clam every day. Their first shift is at 5 AM and their next shift starts around 2. We are pretty sure, now, that this is their livelihood. Why else would they spend so much time doing this tedious work? I'm sure it's not for a family reunion clam chowder. One of these days, since there are boots in the shed, I'm going to mozey on out there and strike up a short conversation and maybe give it a try for some clams for myself--I know pasta isn't on my diet, but linguine alle vongole sounds great right now.

The temperature has been in the 60's during the day with a beautiful breeze coming off the water, which has kept the mosquitos and black flies at bay. So Bob and I have made the most of the bugless days by spending a lot of the day outside. As soon as the sun sets (an unremarkable sunset says Bob because there is no pollution in the air), it gets pretty chilly and we close all of the windows and might turn on a light. It really doesn't get that dark until around 8:30 or 9PM.

Yesterday, Sunday, we finished moving everything out from the van. We're settled in pretty much now. Bob grilled a couple of steaks and I made a big mixed green salad. I added the one avocado we had gotten at the market in Ellsworth. We had Santa Christina, my favorite Sangiovese wine with dinner. I finished one book and started another. It's a Swedish translation and it is simply written (because of the translation, I'm sure), though the plot is intriguing in the manner of Stieg Larsson. It is called The Hypnotist and so far I am pleased by the unusual format (no spoilers here) and the slowly unraveling, interesting plot. I know I should be working, but there's time for that tomorrow.

We went to bed early (9:30 PM), I to read, Bob to sleep.

This morning, though I awoke at 8:30 AM. The birds were LOUD! The breeze made beautiful music as it blew through the trees, but we had (M) climbing school. Bob had made coffee and had hung up all of his clothes, so he too was settled in (I hung my clothes yesterday). After a couple of cups of coffee, I did my Cross Fit WOD on the deck (my new Cross Fit gym). The branch I had used yesterday for my Hanging L-sits was looking a bit creaky, and we are unable to hang the fitness bar from the doorway because there is no clearance between the top of the door frame and the ceiling. I have found two trees close to each other, near the two hammocks Bob hung yesterday, so that will be hung tomorrow. My WOD was 5 rounds 10 squatting wall balls, 10 situps, 10 pushups in 14.4 minutes. The breeze kept me cool, so I didn't start sweating until I came indoors. Then I showered, got dressed, and went outside to join Bob who was relaxing on a lounge chair facing the water. He had put out all of his bird seed and was waiting to see if anyone would show up while he was out there. We saw a hummingbird, so we'll add a hummingbird feeder to our list of things to pick up in town on our next trip. While Bob lounged next to me, facing the water. I asked him what he was thinking and he answered, "Nothing." I don't think I have ever been quiet and not been thinking about something. One of the things that is different about us--I cannot really ever relax. It seems I need to be doing something and if I'm just sitting, I'm thinking about many things. Today, it was should I get one of my magazines and read? I should be working--should I bring out my computer? maybe I should paint? or find wood to make a little table to put between us out here on the lawn. I should eat after that workout.

So, into the house I went for three magazines, water, and a yogurt. I noticed the care and in-the -moment attention I gave to the magazines. I usually just flip through the pages, look at the pictures, mark pages that I want to go back to in order to read them in depth, and then never look at them again as they pile up in my bedroom or the living room. Today, I'm reading everything, including picture captions and the editor's open letter to the readers, and the letters to the editor about past editions. I am really into these magazines (Martha Stewart's April Living magazine, and April and May's Food Network Magazines). There are so many recipes I want to try, although not many of them are paleo compliant. Oh well--maybe when Antoinette and Heath come.

 Relaxing in back of cottage, by the sea.

Someone's working up an appetite (not me--just a visual)--this is dinner!

On Wednesday, it's supposed to be hot. I really don't know how hot it will get here by the water, but we'll probably throw in the kayaks on that day. I'm looking forward to exploring the islands across the bay if I can get that far. I've tried everything I could to research the sea life in the Back Bay, but I've not been successful. I find it hard to believe that there are no fish, but I've not seen fisherman. I read that most of the sealife is found in the top 1/32nd of an inch of the sand/mud--little seach creatures, clams, crabs, and on top of the water--kelp (which we've seen much of). Bob is wondering if we'll be able to launch the rubber boat with it's little motor, from our beach since there is so much kelp and muck. However, we will have to measure depths in various places during high tide and if not, we can launch it somewhere else. The kayaks, of course, can be launched here. Soft-shell crabs have come in and I think I'll purchase the first of many lobsters this summer tomorrow when we explore town.

Life is good here at the beach and we are happy. Bob's taking a nap (after climbing school) while I catch everyone up on our comings and goings in Maine. Until tomorrow, toodles.