Officially, I declare it is summer today.

I am inside on a early warm morning. Today, I start the old New England tradition of washing of the wools.  The old washing machine is on gentle cycle and my irish purple shawl & my scottish brown blanket are now being gently washed. I love wool and even though I have become allergic to it, there is nothing on a cold new england night that snugs and warms you at the same time.

Ok, everyone now knows that we had over 120 inches of snow last winter. It was awful. Too much snow to go snow shoeing in the woods. Too much snow that there was no place to put the snow.  We had a month of white and grey days and if you listened closely, you would hear the wild wolfs in the distance. Ok, so we really don't have wolfs, we have coyotes and we did not start to burn our furniture. But, it was a long winter.

So, with great cheer, I announce that we are now in summer. Time to water the gardens, put on the bug sprays, clean off the bikes, and oh yes, go to the beach. We go to the beach all winter long. It is quiet and lonely out there. But, the birds are great. The Snowy Owls return each winter.  The loons are dressed in their winter outfits and swim in large flocks  by the shore.  Fingers and toes get darn cold but, it is quiet and peaceful out there.

We are very lucky to live near a National Wildlife Preserve. No crowds in the winter, except if a rare bird is flown in during a bad storm.  Then the place goes wild with binoculars and scopes.

But when summer comes, the miles of beach are open to the smart few who get up very early in the morning, and show their beach passes before the rangers. Once the allotment of people has been reached, the refuge is closed to new comers.

The waters are icy, but, the miles and miles of beaches are not crowded. Long walks along the waters edge, picking up shells, and afternoon naps are mandatory. It is heaven on earth.

Winter on Plum Island

Frozen toes and fingers

Summer at the beach

Driftwood castles at Plum Island