Racoon-Proof

Wellfleet Vs. Boston: A Dozen Differences

A main difference, of course, is the serenity and beauty on the Outer Cape, which remains the reason so many tourists choose Wellfleet for their vacation. Over the past few weeks, I have noticed other differences though, that I would like to share:

1.) Pedestrians in Boston/Cambridge ride the subway and walk around with their eyes fixed on a smart phone or Kindle. Pedestrians in Wellfleet look up to admire the view.
2.) Wellfleet has one museum, and it’s only open in summer. Boston even offers free museum days, last Monday, for instance, Martin Luther King Day. (In Boston/Cambridge, Wellfleetians can go museum-wild, using passes from the public library.)
3.) In Boston, you can see elderly folks riding the bus, with walkers. In Wellfleet, not so much.
4.) The pace is frenetic in the city. In Wellfleet, people take their time, except in high season.
5.) Boston offers more options for organic food. To buy organic, you don’t have to jump in a car and travel 20 minutes away.
6.) Dinner in a good city restaurant is more affordable, dramatically so.
7.) Like ethnic cuisine? Boston offers Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai, Indian, Japanese, Portuguese, French, etc.
8.) Eat gluten-free? It’s possible to find whole gluten-free restaurants in the city.
9.) Urban crime is always a possibility so people lock doors. Still, neighbors tend to know each other, which is less likely in Wellfleet with 72% of the housing stock being owned by non-residents.
10.) If I photographed a random group of people on the street in Wellfleet, the median age would be maybe 50. The general population in Boston feels younger, due to the large numbers of students rushing everywhere.
11.) In Boston, pharmacy checkout is now by machine. In Wellfleet we can still stand at a counter and interact with trained personnel.
12.) In Wellfleet, oysters can be found by the bucket, fresh off the flats. They cost $1 an oyster at Mac’s Seafood in Eastham. At Legal Seafood, a platter of six Wellfleets costs $13.95.

Some of you live in the city year-round. Can you add to this list?

President Obama Denies Keystone Pipeline

Now that's news! Doing a happy dance here. As you may remember, a Wellfleetian attended the protest in DC and, was arrested. Please stop over at NRDC and sign the letter to thank President Obama. This brave action on his part gives me hope that the Outer Cape will be able to stop the craziness of NStar's spraying chemicals over the aquifer. Read Brent Harold's column this week on the subject. Remember Femke Rosembaum's great banners from this fall? Did you know Eastham has chosen goats as its vegetation-control preference?

Meditation

In Which I Share a Homework Assignment

As you know, I'm taking courses at Grub this semester. One of these courses is called Fiction II. Christina, our teacher, is super knowledgeable and incredibly nice. The assignment this week offered the writing prompt "Familiarity and Estrangement." I thought you might enjoy reading the 600-word scene, entitled "Fishy Business," which I intend to submit tomorrow. Fiction is an entirely different animal from non-fiction, in case you hadn't noticed. Okay, so get out your French flags and accompany Heather (me!) on her (my) very first trip to Paris:

A ray of sunshine angled through the broken Venetian blind, causing Heather to open her eyes and peer around the bedroom. The excitement of the previous day came flooding back. For months she had looked forward to this trip to Paris, a high school graduation present. As planned, her father’s cousin had met the Air France jet at Orly. Heather felt as if she already knew Lisa because they had exchanged so many aerograms. Lisa had taken Heather to a real café and bought croissants for lunch. Since her stomach had been tied in knots, she hadn’t eaten much. The café was located a short distance from Le Bon Marche, the department store where the former model said she had once worked. At least, that was what Heather had understood. Lisa was definitely still glamorous despite advanced age. Sixty? Seventy? After a taxi ride around the city, Lisa had escorted her here to meet Princess Dadiani who had inherited this four-bedroom apartment, rue Constant Coquelin, and took in paying guests. The women had exchanged kisses, but did not seem very happy to see each other, perhaps because Juliana Dadiani had family visiting, two rambunctious little girls with blond hair, and a niece, with what looked like a recent black eye? There was nothing but tea for supper, since the family ate their main meal at noon. While the two adults discussed alimony, Heather had roughhoused with the children. How the halls had resounded with their cries of glee! Now all Heather could hear was a door closing somewhere. Outside pigeons cooed. Yes, there they were, two pigeons strutting along a nearby roof. She tried to open the window but couldn’t make the latch-bolt work. Drapes covered a second window. Heather parted them only to discover a brick wall.

She dropped the house key in her purse and proceeded down the corridor. The apartment was loud in its silence. Narrow parquet boards creaked beneath her feet. In the kitchen, an elderly woman was making borscht. She said something friendly in Russian and wiped beet-red hands on a dirty apron. Heather shrugged and pointed at her stomach. The cook poured some café au lait into a pitcher and carried bread with butter and jam into the darkened dining room.

After breakfast, Heather went for a long walk along rue Duroc, lined with stylish clothing shops. She sat down on a bench and spent half an hour writing postcards.

“Bon-jour?” the American teenager called out tentatively, opening the apartment door at lunchtime. The dining room table was set for two. Ah! Surely Princess Dadiani would be home soon.

Once Heather had washed her hands, she hurried back to the table. A stranger, dressed in a soiled business suit, sat erect in one of the seats, eating radishes. He was big, with thick glasses and greasy brown hair. The man gestured for her to sit down. “Have some crudités,” he said.

Heather chose two longish radishes and broke off a piece of baguette.

“Eat them with butter,” the man advised, shoving a butter dish across the table.

Heather made herself a small radish sandwich but refused seconds. Her companion rang a silver bell. The cook placed two platters on the table. Heather looked down and confronted the dorade that was to be her nourishment for the day. The stranger was too busy carving out his fish’s eye to notice her consternation. “The best part,” he said with a flourish of his fork.

The sea bream, accompanied by three perfect potatoes, was crusted with slivers of almonds. And, it still had its head on …

Harriet Korim Summarizes MLK Day March

"Wellfleet's 10th all-ages ArtPeace celebration of MLK Day was our biggest and one of our best ever. So grateful for Dr. King's life and work, for all the seeds his generation of Civil Rights activists planted, now bearing an historic nonviolent harvest. In our little off-season town, two hundred or so participants of all ages chalked, sang, stamped, clapped, walked, meditated, gazed, listened, shared a communal feast and collected a truck full of food and hundreds of dollars to help bail out our food bank and fund bullying prevention. Grateful for amazing all-ages turnout, phenomenal volunteers, gorgeous weather, profoundly moving films and speeches and danceable and passionate music by performers from their teens and twenties to their sixties. Delicious, abundant potluck with the backdrop of provocative art by children from Bourne to Provincetown, featuring this year's work by kids from six Outer Cape schools, including micrographic self-portraits of sixth graders aiming to 'be the change you want to see,' prayer flags hand-stitched by seniors and middle school students and dreams and wishes and peaceful words by kids from pre-school to 8th grade. After clean up (to the sounds of jazz by our soulful Friends of the Village), the day ended with a sky-wide sunset lighting the heavens. Thanks Wellfleet Library, Prez Hall and to all the musicians and artists and teachers, speakers and volunteers who created this great tribute. Tax-deductible donations to compact/artpeace for nonviolence education and bullying prevention will be matched thru February 14."

Please find the address for donations in the comment section. Sounds like a tremendous event, and I'm sorry we had to miss it. Quite a crowd! Even Senator Dan Wolf was present and accounted for. Harriet sent me these photos to share with you. They were taken by Paul Rifkin of Occupy Falmouth. Thanks!

Box Lunch, the Best Little Sandwich Shop on Cape Cod

Need a quick and delicious lunch in winter, affordable, too? Try Box Lunch on Briar Lane, where the service is fast and friendly. Box Lunch has been in operation for a whopping 35 years. In high season, before the recession, this popular eatery would whip up "rollwiches" for 1000 customers a day. That number drops to 100 during the winter. In 2011, the MacNutts renovated a side room to create a pleasant space where folks can pause during a hectic day and enjoy a cup of chowder with one of Owen’s famous wraps. There’s a great variety from which to choose. The new kids on the block are Chicken Parmesan and The Harley, which features meatballs. My absolute favorite is the Guacamole, a sandwich for anyone vegetarian at heart. That’s what I order, and it never fails to please. Sven likes “Porkey’s Nightmare,” above: ham, three melted cheeses, mayo, tomatoes, onions & Durkee’s Sauce (mustard vinaigrette.)

Kathy MacNutt always greets customers with a smile. She's happy to offer suggestions to newcomers. Her favorite? “The John Alden, I guess. Though I do love the Chicken Parmesan. It’s hot and gooey.”

Box Lunch is a great place to hang out if you want to absorb some true Wellfleet atmosphere, too. There are always shellfishermen and carpenters stopping by.

I often tell guests about Box Lunch. They can call ahead and pick up the makings of a super picnic fifteen minutes later. Every minute matters in the life of some tourists, especially in summer.

Over the years the MacNutts have employed guest workers from 7 or 8 different countries, with Lithuania, Russia and Moldavia as the most frequently represented. 12 to 14 young people help Kathy and Owen out in high season.

When Sven and I stopped by two days ago, Box Lunch smelled of bacon since a recent customer had ordered a BLT.

“Bye, bye. Take care,” Kathy said to a regular, who had just complimented her on the kale soup, Saturday's special. “We feed the working guys during the week," she told me. "We have the best clam chowder around, made by Owen when he doesn’t break his arm.

(Last week Kathy’s husband Owen had a freak accident, smashing his elbow, and won’t be making his famous chowder during the recovery period. We wish him a speedy recovery!)

I asked Kathy what she likes about the job: “The pace. It’s exciting here, especially in summer. I get to chat with people in winter. I also like getting to know the employees. They become family. I enjoy being creative and making up the different sandwiches. It beats sitting behind a desk. That’s for sure!”

Box Lunch is one of the only restaurants in town to stay open year long, from 9 to 2:30, which is quite an achievement. Who hasn’t called ahead, in summer, in order to avoid waiting in line? I even know fans who come to Wellfleet specifically for the Box Lunch rollwich and take several home with them.

Owen and Kathy MacNutt can be proud of what they have achieved. Box Lunch has been so successful that it became a franchise, with eight Cape stores and two off Cape. Ten restaurants represents a whole lot of sandwiches. And, don't forget, it all started in Wellfleet ...

Have you ever eaten at Box Lunch? What do you order? Anyone tried the "guac?"

What's Wellfleet Like in Winter?

Ocean effect snow covered the ground this morning. It's Martin Luther King Day weekend and we are ready for Monday's peace march. Check out the great badge Sven is wearing. You might expect to find lots of folks visiting Wellfleet for the three-day getaway. Not so much. The town was quite deserted and unusually quiet, when we drove down to the pier to watch the sunset yesterday afternoon. It was mighty cold and became even colder overnight. We didn't even see any seagulls dropping shells on the macadam. Of course, Wellfleetians were shopping at Marketplace. Restaurants start opening next week.

Action, on Main Street, could be found at the clothing store Off Center, which was holding its annual mega sale. A sign outside indicated 70 to 90% off everything that remained on the racks. I asked Sven to pull over and went in to explore. The markdowns were considerable. I found a black linen top for $3 and a pretty sleeveless summer tank top for $6. Who could resist prices like these? There were no dressing rooms, and no mirrors. That did not bother the ladies who stripped down to undies in the rear of the shop and eagerly donned the colorful bargains.

"Would you mind taking my picture?" one matron asked.

Clever! A cell phone image is better than no image whatsoever.

The sale continues today until 5 pm. Off Center will turn into Filene's Basement again on President's Weekend.

Seeking Eco-minded Visitors to Wellfleet: Your Opinion Is Solicited

This pond is beautiful, no doubt about that. It's Long Pond, in Wellfleet, eastern end. No trash in view, thank goodness. Our town is fortunate to have a very active Recycling Committee, chaired by Lydia Vivante. Lydia has asked me to ask you a few questions today. She is holding a meeting next week to encourage seasonal renters and other assorted folks visiting Cape Cod to use the Transfer Station during their stay by recycling and composting whenever possible. How do you feel about these activities during vacation? Are you willing to make a few extra gestures on behalf of the environment? Would you like landlords and real estate agents to post friendly reminders? Have you seen any such signs? Do you bring your totes with you or use those provided at the rental? If you want your answers to be confidential, write Lydia, c/o Town Hall. Otherwise, please share ideas on how to improve recycling and composting in Wellfleet below. Thanks!

What's Up this Weekend in Wellfleet?

Greetings from Boston, where I’m attending courses at Grub Street. Sven is manning the fort, so to speak, back home. We are lucky, in Wellfleet, not to hear rumblings about a possible end to our post office. That's what happening in Cambridge. Under serious discussion, the closing of the post offices in both Inmann and Kendall Squares. Yikes! I have received a number of announcements to pass on to you, so here goes:

There will be two concerts featuring the Higher Praise Gospel Choir on Sunday. Check the Prez. Hall Web site for details.

Cape Cool is holding is annual Martin Luther King Day walk and potluck on Monday. The 2012 walk will be especially, well, cool because it’s a tenth anniversary celebration. Come join your neighbors at noon and stay for lunch. Looks like the meeting point this year is Prez. Hall. While we’re on the subject of Cape Cool, please hop over to Harriet's blog and think on her words.

And, mark your calendar for two worthwhile upcoming events:

1.) Mac’s Seafood will be celebrating Groundhog Day with a seven-course dinner at Prez. Hall. “A Taste of Local Food: Wellfleet in Winter” promises more than just good eats. Come learn about the local food movement. Tickets cost $65 and will support WCAI and Prez. Hall. The fun starts at 6 pm.

2.) Wellfleet's 250th Anniversary Committee is holding a brainstorming session, open to the public, on February 4th at 10 AM, Council on Aging. I know you all have lots of ideas, so do share them at this meeting.

What do you think of the post offices closings across the nation? Is your post office in danger of ceasing to exist?

Methods of Wellfleet Navigation (Part 3, Air)

Methods of Wellfleet Navigation (Part 2, Water)

Methods of Wellfleet Navigation (Part 1, Land)

Navigation Series Introduction

It is possible to express oneself through one's choice of navigation. (It's also possible to post one's opinions through bumper stickers, as in the photo above.) Since I'm trying to spend all my time writing this week, I prepared, for you, a short series of images that illustrate different methods of navigation, used in Wellfleet. It is not always necessary to resort to riding in a car, is it? One of my 2012 resolutions is to use my feet more. There are other transportation options, like this scooter that zipped down Main Street last month. Some people choose roller blades, others bikes. Tracey Barry Hunt, at Winslow's Tavern, gives bonuses to employees who ride bikes to work.

What is your favorite means of transportation?

Bonus Post: Beachcomber Sunrise

What's New on the Bookshelf?

With my courses about to start, I borrowed a new book from the library, Nina Sankovitch's Tolstoy and the Purple Chair. It's about reading as a means of overcoming grief. Nina reads a book a day in an effort to come to terms with the premature death of a beloved sister from cancer. She recorded these efforts on Read All Day Blog, which she turned into a book. What I liked about Tolstoy and the Purple Chair is its wholehearted promotion of real books. Nina gets cozy in her purple chair and devours volume after volume, one a day for a year. She does not read them on a Kindle or a Nook. She borrows them from her local library. She buys books. Friends give her books. She finds meaning in her life from the words authors, past and present, have written. I liked that. Here's a short excerpt:

"I was in my forties, reading in my purple chair. My father was in his 80s and my sister was in the ocean. Her ashes, scattered there by all of us, in swimsuits under a blue sky. And only now am I grasping the importance of looking backward. Of remembrance. My father finally wrote out his memoirs for a reason. I took a year of reading books for a reason. Because words are witness to life: they recorded what has happened and they make it all real. Words create the stories that become history and become unforgettable. Even fiction portrays truth: good fiction is truth. Stories about lives remembered bring us backward while allowing us to move forward."

Why Nominate Chezsven: Wellfleet Today for the Bloggies

Do I hear sighs all round? Ah, Wellfleet! Ah, summer! Only five months and thirteen days to go ...Today, an unusual request. It's the weekend and you have some leisure time, right? How about doing something for your favorite blogger? Nominate me for an award, specifically the Bloggie Lifetime Achievement award, since I've been blogging for over six years. You can nominate your other favorite blogs, too. The process is simple. Go to the Bloggies Web site. Scroll down to Lifetime Achievement. Write in Chezsven: Wellfleet Today with the URL www.chezsven.blogspot.com. Nominate two other blogs, three total. (If you do not read any other blogs, let me know in the comments or email me at CHEZSVEN AT COMCAST DOT NET and I'll share a few suggestions.) Add your email address to receive a confirmation email. Click Submit. When you receive a response from the Bloggies, confirm your ballot by clicking on the link.

Here are ten good reasons to nominate Chezsven: Wellfleet Today for the Bloggies in the Lifetime Achievement category:

1.) You read this blog on a regular basis.
2.) You enjoy reading this blog on a regular basis.
3.) You absolutely love Wellfleet and it's a good way to stay in touch while you're away.
4.) Six years is a mighty long time to write a blog and that effort deserves some kind of recognition, even if only an award.
5.) You agree with Dale Donovan, who commented last summer, "Access to articles like this is one of many reasons that I read ChezSven Blog daily. The others: an elegant design, lively writing, timely information, excellent photographs, and admiration for the work that goes into it."
6.) You agree with Bruce Bierhans, who called it (me?) a "local treasure" last week.
7.) You learn interesting stuff on the environment.
8.) It makes you smile.
9.) A Bloggie for Lifetime Achievement would really help my writing "platform."
10.) Wellfleet is going to celebrate its 250th b-day next year. This award would also honor our beloved town, since its beauty is what inspires me to write every day.

Thank you!

Erosion at LeCount Hollow Beach

Another Letter to the Editor Published Today

The sun is setting on our window of opportunity to prevent the contamination of the Cape Cod sole source aquifer through the spraying of herbicides by the local utility company. If nothing is done, we will be at risk of losing potable water, as well as nuclear disaster. Not even spectacular beauty will bring tourists to our shores if radiation crosses the bay from Plymouth and toxic chemicals pollute well water. Read my latest letter to the editor, published by the Cape Cod Times and make sure you support political candidates who have your best interests in mind.

The editor entitled the letter Coakley, Wolf Exemplify Caring for the Environment:

"The Pilgrim nuclear power plant is back online several days after being shut down because of a faulty valve. After the nuclear accident in Japan, I started wishing Pilgrim would be shut for good. Last month Attorney General Coakley asked the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to take another look at similarities between Pilgrim and the Fukushima plant.

In a recent radio interview, Sen. Dan Wolf explained that Pilgrim is 40 years old, and giving it a 20-year permit renewal seems "insane." Like Ms. Coakley, Wolf worried openly about the spent storage rods.

When asked about the situation with herbicidal spraying by NStar, he expressed the hope for another moratorium and reminded listeners that there are safer methods of vegetation control available, that there's no need for toxic chemicals.

I'm grateful, as 2012 begins, to know Cape Cod has a senator who is on top of these things, and an attorney general who dares to speak up for the environment. How we treat our environment is important to the welfare of all Americans, yet many national leaders never even discuss it.

Let's drop the fluff and ask leaders the right questions this election cycle, especially when it comes to public safety."

Rundown of Wellfleet Events, 2012

The new year began with beautiful weather here in Wellfleet. Sven and I were fortunate enough to walk at LeCount Hollow Beach. We saw much evidence of erosion, the result of last year's winter storms, and I'll post those photos tomorrow. Sunday it was so warm that other beachcombers were walking barefoot, as the above photo demonstrates. Since 2012 lies before us, I want to share some important dates and information that I gleaned from the last Economic Development Committee meeting ...

First off, 2012 will be a year of planning for Welflleet's 250th anniversary in 2013. The kickoff event will take place in December, 2012. The not-to-miss date, during summer, will be August 4, 2013, a Sunday, although activities will be scheduled all year long. In the meantime, there's a logo contest for Wellfleet kids from third to 12th grade, and a workshop to be held on Saturday, February 4th, at the Council on Aging, in case you want to get involved.

Harborfest will take place on June 16th. The organizers are energized and eager to start. They will again collect marine items for the marine flea market. Harborfest is held at the town marina and celebrates Wellfleet Harbor. The weather was cloudy and gray for the inauguration of this annual festival last June, but the Cape Codders, who did come, enjoyed themselves, except for one blog reader, Amy, whose comments I have passed on to organizers. If you missed this fun event in 2011, save the date for 2012.

Another group of eager beavers will be organizing a spring festival called Blossoms to take place April 13-15. The goal is to promote emerging artists and performers. There will be an art show at the library. The enterprising Blossoms committee even has started a Web site. Do get involved, even if you are a non-resident. Patriots Day weekend is the perfect time to come down and open up your summer home.

And, Oysterfest? 2012 is still up in the air, as far as I know. SPAT may decide to skip a year in order to make Oysterfest, 2013 an even bigger birthday bash celebration. Then again, festival-goers do love coming to Wellfleet every year ... Stay tuned!

How I Became an Innkeeper ...

Read about how I reinvented myself, switched careers, and became an innkeeper. The post went live today on BlogHer.

Baby's First Visit to Cape Cod

As we begin this new year, let's focus on improving quality of life through the food we put into out bodies. Make it fresh, make it local. Simple Bites has some great suggestions ....

In Which We Celebrate a Blog Anniversary

Got fireworks? How about some cake and champagne? I've been writing Chezsven Blog for six years now. My first post was January 2, 2006. It recounted a walk around Long Pond. Here we are some 1557 posts and 252,604 hits later ... Ticks are still a problem on Cape Cod, and the house perched above Long Pond is still for sale.

What has changed? Three years ago the blog acquired a second name, Wellfleet Today, thanks to Shelly Daly, a reader in Baltimore who features a Wellfleet window in the sidebar of her computer screen. I post more often, almost daily for the past two years. And, more readers follow. The subject matter, also, has broadened although it always relates to living green on Cape Cod. I still describe walks, on occasion, but try, each time, to present the material from a different angle.

Recently, I have covered a lot of events at Preservation Hall. Last year its Board asked me to write a blog for the hall, without realizing what a huge commitment of time and energy that would represent for a volunteer. I had to refuse, but I love the energy Prez. Hall generates and enjoy reporting, when I can, on community events there.

The decision by NStar to switch from mowing to herbicidal spraying under the power lines of Cape Cod caused me to become better informed on the issue of toxic chemicals in the environment, so that I could report on toxic shenanigans and warn everyone of the probable contamination of our sole-source aquifer. NStar's new plan led me to activism through letters to the editor and blog posts on the perils of plastic and other synthetic chemicals, let loose in our environment. (Here I am, last winter, at the State House with my new friend, organic gardener Laura Kelley.)

Three years ago I became a member of Wellfleet's Economic Development Committee, which brings me closer to the town's heartbeat.

I participated in two Blogathons: May, 2010 and May, 2011.

My blog caused my kids to give me a fancy camera. It improves online photo quality. (Thanks, Nat, Paul & Steph!) I enjoy examining town beaches through a camera lens and sharing photos.

When I started this blog six years ago, I was writing mostly for myself and did not expect to acquire an audience, let alone a hundred regular readers. Blogging was new to me, and, although I imagined the medium would work as promotion for our green bed & breakfast, I really didn't know quite what to expect and whether that assumption was correct or not. Actually, this weekend we had our first guest who announced (to Sven) that she's a blog reader and seems to have come to explore Wellfleet, inspired by my words and photos. (Thanks, Lucy!) But, I no longer think of the blog as promotion for our business.

Fifteen people so far have commented on last week's post about Sally Branch, a good neighbor, friend, and regular blog reader.

Twenty-four people expressed opinions on aging after reading Does Age Matter For Innkeepers?

The most fun I had reporting was when the French film crew came to visit.

And, the most fun writing? That would be Confessions of an Addicted Woman.

It's truly heartwarming to see the loyal following Chezsven Wellfleet Today has gained and to "hear" the many voices that are moved to respond. I love reading your comments. It tells me someone out there is listening.

People have asked how much time blogging takes. Sometimes I can whip off a post in a few minutes. Other times, for more complicated subjects, writing 600 words with appropriate photos can take several hours. Adding links takes time, too.

My dad was a writer, my mom was an editor. My brother edited a newspaper in western Massachusetts for years before switching back to reporting. My cousin ran a publishing company before retirement. Her niece, my second cousin, is a well respected editor in New York. Guess we've got the gene in the family!

In 2006, Twitter did not exist and Facebook was a new start-up. Last week we had guests whose best friend had lost his job because he had no social media skills.

Over the next two months, I will be taking some writing courses in Boston at Grub Street, as I did last winter. Daily posts will not be possible, but I will try to blog at least twice a week.

One of the seminars is on tweeting. Another explains how to use Facebook to promote books. I have not published one yet, but that, too, will happen some day. And you, dear readers, will be the first to know!

Happy New Year!

May 2012 be happy and prosperous for you and yours. Good health, calm seas. May the ocean of your life remain free of plastic and other environmental toxins.