BRAD WOODGER

508-627-4216

(ibwsgolf@aol.com)

BRAD WOODGER

508-627-4216

(ibwsgolf@aol.com)

BRAD WOODGER
508-627-4216

I’ve been up very early these past few days but I still can’t beat the birds to the punch. Must be many worms to be had. I moved my coffee maker to our version of a clubhouse with the hope being that I might be dissuaded from consuming my first cup of cups before 5 a.m. I’m too smart to trick myself so I’ve taken to sitting on the small deck overlooking Cape Pogue’s tidal marsh, a fresh brew in hand, watching the air gain color and listening to the competing conversations of crows, robins and other feathery chit-chatters. There is almost a full hour of light before the sun makes its appearance — a long slow meditation on awakening. I don’t know if it is a cultural thing, this love affair we have with sunrises and sunsets, but they are events worthy of pause for even the busiest among us. I remember a particular sunset off our Big Camp porch. We had gathered for a family reunion of sorts and as the sun sunk closer to its denouement, my father became agitated that most of the family was still in the kitchen mixing drinks and gathering snacks. Then, mere moments before the actual meeting of sun and horizon, my dad could stand it no more — this beautiful and serene slice of our lives was about to be completely missed by the kitchen lingerers — so he burst into the kitchen (red-faced) and asked, “Would everyone please come to the porch for the ‘gosh darn’ sunset!” In fairness to my dad he was under the influence of steroids. But families are rarely fair, so this story is often retold to those who will listen as a cautionary tale to the failures of patience. But my dad did have a point: regardless of its recurrence, the sun (and its comings and goings) is special and worthy of our attention. For me, the sunrise is a rebirth and the sunset is a relief. They are brief moments of our daily life that remind us of our vitality and our mortality. So that’s why I sit on the clubhouse deck — I want to be there to bear witness to this life.

The wave is a simple gesture — an easy lifting of the hand and an airing of its flesh. Hi, neighbor, it says. Or maybe thank you. But it seems too large an effort for some folks. I have mentioned this phenomenon in columns past — but am inspired to revisit the topic by several passings on my road, North Neck. There are neighbors who are predictably friendly, and they know that I speak not of them, but then there are others. I feel as if I am a stranger in my own land — an interloper of such menace that, when met, the other must simply stare straight ahead lest they fall prey to my spell. Crazy. Wave, people. Acknowledge courtesy. Be friendly. Or not.

I was fortunate to attend Melinda Fager’s book signing at Slip Away Farm. I have essays in her book so I was partly there should anyone desire my signature as well as Melissa’s. Not so much. The first person whom I offered my signature services actually replied, “No, that’s okay — I’m good.” I was left holding my pen aloft and forced to improvise a gesture with the pen as if I was making a point to an imaginary person. But despite my chagrin, it was a lovely event in a lovely setting for a lovely book.

The fireworks were a bit of a disappointment, but they sure sounded good.

The Chappy Farmers’ Market is at the CCC every Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Slip Away will be there as well as some Chappy gardeners and craft sellers.

On Monday, July 15 at 7 p.m. there will be a talk with Luanne Johnson and Liz Baldwin about the biology and behavior of beach and cliff-nesting birds.

Tai Chi has been cancelled for Friday, July 12 and Monday, July 15.

Wednesday, July 17 will be the first of three lobster roll dinners with pick up time from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. You can eat in or take out. Preorder by noon the day before.

The CCC is in need of volunteers for the Annual Fair, which will be held Saturday, July 20 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. They need bakers, a set up and clean up crew and general help. Please contact them at the office at 508-627-8222.

There will be a movie night on Friday, July 19 at 5:30 p.m. with Miss Lani from Featherstone. The movie is about Jane Goodall and her work with chimpanzees.(More details to follow next week)