"Silence is the true friend that never betrays." ~ "Confucius

I won't pretend to be a movie maker, but this 50-second shot gives you an idea of the peace, quiet and beauty right outside the door of our Cape rental. It is for sale. I keep buying lottery tickets.

"Long ropes of sand ridged like muscles on the sea's floor, seeded with ghostly pebbles polished like eggs waiting in weedy nests." ~ The Sea at Truro - Nancy Willard

One of our stops on the Cape was to Ballston Beach in Truro. I have walked and played and laughed on this beach with loved ones over the years, and this is where my ashes will be scattered. I have hundreds of pictures of this beach. Wave after wave; seagull after seagull; boogie-boarding son and nieces and nephews. This time, we came across a wonder in the sand that was new. Tiny feathers and rivulets; little pebbles scattered wide. Enchanting......

"Details of the many walks I made along the crest have blurred, now, into a pleasing tapestry of grass and space and sunlight." ~ Colin Fletcher

The Cape has an abundance of hiking trails, so while we were there last week, we took advantage of a few of them!  Just beautiful!

We came across three praying mantises on the underside of a kayak alongside the water. One was busy devouring the other. Neither one of us could remember the last time we had seen one, let alone three. 

Upon our return, the head was gone!

So beautiful in the autumn!

"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it." ~ Sydney J. Harris

Waaa! Today is the Wellfleet Oyster Fest (no whining about that!), and after we have had our fill (literally and figuratively) we begin our journey home. Having always come to the Cape during the summer while I was still teaching, since retirement this has been our fourth autumn here. My word, what a wonderful time of year on the Cape! Each year I say it won't matter if it rains, and each year that statement has not been put to the test. It rained the day we arrived, and one evening. Every other day has been picture perfect in every way. And I did get pictures - to share at a later date (though, if you've seen posts from other years, you may wonder what I would have left to photograph!)

I am so grateful that this is a stop that we are able to make in our busy lives. My favorite place on this earth.

"A good snapshot stops a moment from running away." ~ Eudora Welty

A quick shot, taken with my iPad, from our front porch on the Cape. This is a week of rest and relaxation - and lots of good food! I'm not putting any efforts into blogging! We have been so busy this summer and fall, and I have neglected even visiting the blogs that I enjoying visiting! I promise to be back on track in the next week or two! In the meantime, I'm off to knit and take in the view!

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." ~ Robert Frost

This post finds us on the road one more time - to my beloved Cape Cod! We are returning for our annual week, and a well-deserved rest.  I can't wait!

In the meantime, I will share with you some photos (courtesy of Tierney) of the most recent BITE gathering. I had to miss the one I'm sorry to say, but for all the right reasons. I had been helping my parents move from the home that I grew up in, to an apartment. A huge move, and a huge step, but one that we are all feeling really good about.

This month's theme, hosted by Chris, was "The Mediterranean". I can tell by the pictures that I missed a wonderful meal. I did provide the dessert, and happily there was some left over for me to enjoy the following day.

Tierney's contributions were Lebanese Grilled Eggplant Dip, and Warm, Spiced Olives.

As I write this, I do not have the name, or recipe of Ellen's dish - but it looks wonderful! I will share it at a later date when I have it!

Chris's main dish of Shrimp Saganaki.

Ellen and Chris - I love this picture!

My dessert - Honey and Pine-Nut Tart.

I'm sorry to have missed this obviously wonderful meal, but more sorry to miss an evening spent with dear friends. I'm looking forward to our next gathering at Tierney's, where the theme is "Apples"!

" REMOVE NOT THE ANCIENT LAND-MARK WHICH THY FATHERS HAVE SET" (Proverbs 22:28)

Our final stop in Vermont, while still in the historic Kents Corner area, was to the Old West Church.
Beautiful, echoing - plans for The Old West Church were originated in 1823. Known then as the First Meeting House Society of Calais, the church underwent a number of additions, from stoves to the admonishment below(originally made of cedar fronds - I don't know if that is still the case), which is visible to all who enter.

" REMOVE NOT THE ANCIENT LAND-MARK WHICH THY FATHERS HAVE SET" (Proverbs 22:28)

Words for us all to live by I'd say!

Whenever I am in a place such as this, I love to run my hands along the wood and just imagine the history that has passed by. We had a long ride ahead of us, so we did not spend the time there that I know I will when I visit Alex and Hannah next.

Beautiful and echoing .......