BRAD WOODGER

508-627-4216

(ibwsgolf@aol.com)

I‘m easily confused. And I’m not meteorologically gifted. But I can’t believe that I am alone in being confounded by this summer’s weather. I find it disorienting to have a September or October northeaster in August. The markers are all off. The town should not be rife with people as boats are being torn loose from moorings. Presidents should not be vacationing here as an eastern wind unseats small children from their stations.

I’m beginning to understand why people talk incessantly about the weather — why it’s so large in small talk. The weather directly affects our lives, our moods. It alters plans, changes minds, dictates decisions. The weather is an insistent life mate. You will do as the weather tells, when it tells you. Who else in our lives holds such sway?

Earlier in the week, while fauna was not cowering, Kim befriended a small bird (of the brown variety). He (I checked) found Kim absolutely delightful and chose to stay next to Kim’s feet as his birds of feather flocked away together. Weed whackers and mowers busied themselves all around Kim and bird, but their romance made them oblivious to their surroundings. As with all great love stories, this one too had to end. Kim was needed on the golf course. She bid the bird adieu. But their story did not end there. So intense was bird’s love that he found Kim, hours later, on the far reaches of the golf course. Theirs was a joyous reunion, lots of walking around feet and “can-you-believe-he-found-me’s.” They were star-crossed lovers and as the day wore on (about 20 minutes later), they both realized that theirs was a love without a future. They parted. This time for good. Where is that bird now? He’s the mayor of Cincinnati! Crazy world we live in.

The Halls have departed the Big Camp. We will miss Henry Hall’s nightly visits for odd amounts of condiments and spices (2/3 teaspoon tarragon, a gallon of saffron, Dixie cup of flour). And thanks for the doughboys, Henry — an interesting mix of carnival confection and smoked salmon.

In the Halls’ stead is my family, led by the incomparable Scott Woodger with his wife, Daria, and two sons, Andrew and Brad. One might assume that nephew Brad was named in honor of his most beloved uncle, but in fact they named him after a paper boy we had as kids. Just kidding. The weather has been a bit of a disappointment (the kayaks we bought in anticipation of their arrival have made excellent birdbaths. Those are some clean seagulls!), but they’ve busied themselves happily. Little Brad is a Lego builder extraordinaire, and able to complete a 20,000-square-foot guest house for the family property (which is perfectly permitted since it is a temporary structure). Andy has busied himself . . . being Andy. Andy is actually a fairly dynamic 15-year-old, but the television and Andy have formed a bond over the years that is not easily broken. We will all set sail on the Mad Max for brother Scott’s 50th birthday extravaganza. Finally we’ll be able to see the view of our outside shower from the Mad Max bow as so many have before.

You know what type of people I like? I like the people that will pack their delicious and fancy cheeses into Ziploc bags and hand them to Kim and me as we depart the cocktail hour. Never mind that the other guests remaining may have still enjoyed a wedge here or there. We just have that look that says “Um, we’ll take that cheese if you’re not going to eat it before you leave your vacation home.” Trust me, we do. So thanks Connie and Alan Liest! Best part is, we were able to save the baggies we brought with us.

Paige and Brad Daggett (vacationing from Haverford at the Wilmerding studio cottage) joined us for dinner in town last week. Now, it’s been quite awhile since I’ve taken the booze cruise (the midnight ferry) home. But we happened to do so on this night. I’m always impressed at the camaraderie and good cheer that abounds on this particular run of the ferry. Everyone seems so much friendlier. It’s a mystery! But the ferry captains love it.

Speaking of Daggetts and seagulls (I did, a few paragraphs above), Brad related the story of how a seagull absconded with their children’s bocce pallino on Wasque beach, midgame. A chase ensued. Only when Paige had the good sense to offer the seagull an old peach in return for the little ball, did the bird relinquish it’s prize. All’s well that ends well. Though I will admit that I tend to root for the bird in stories like these.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Filley family mud pie contest — a tradition that began over 200 years ago (those Filley gals look really good for their age!) Actually, I believe it has its roots in Jocelyn Filley’s birthday and something to do with a discontinuance of Mad Martha’s mud pie. But I could be wrong. I’m a horrible listener while eating desserts. I was prevailed upon to judge (or no pie). All the entries were sublime — but I can now report that I choose Marco and Amanda’s pie as Numero Uno. Coconut, chocolate and almond cookie — it amused my bouche! Congratulations, and the rest of you? Try harder.

A final note: someone dropped a container of garden vegetables off at our cottage. No note. No DNA evidence. We relished its natural goodness but the mystery of its origins mitigated the joy a touch. Some 27 e-mail inquiries (an exaggeration perhaps, but Kim is a determined gal), failed to reveal the source. So I’m prevailing on my power as columnist to prevail upon the public to uncurl this mystery. Who said Chappy was exciting?

Finally, sadly, Kim and I would like to say goodbye to Dave Babson and his family. They will be truly missed and Chappy appreciates what a great job they did.

In other news, Chappaquiddickers have made good use of the Chappy Community Center this summer. Many thanks to all who helped to make the classes, concerts, films, exhibits, and all the other events happen, and to all the people who came to use the building, enjoy themselves, and meet other people. We are lucky to have such a beautiful building, but it’s the people who make it feel like a community center.

The building continues to be open during the day this week, with wi-fi and ping pong available on the porch anytime. Yoga continues on Tuesdays at 8 a.m. through Sept. 14. There will be a Pilates class on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 9 a.m. Latin dance exercise continues into September on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.; the $10 fee is a donation to the tennis court fund. Mahjong is on Mondays from 1 to 3 p.m.; all levels, including newcomers are welcome. Mary Spencer’s foreign film night is cancelled for Friday, August 27. She will end the season on Friday, Sept. 3 with The Art of Steal at 8 p.m. The event is free.

Potlucks will start on Sept. 15, and continue the first and third Wednesdays through the winter.