GIST or That

On Tuesday, I went to Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston to get a second opinion on this GIST/Lyle thing. First, what a nightmare to drive from East Sandwich on Cape Cod to Boston. My appointment was at 10:00 a.m. We left at 7:15 that morning. We got to the doctor's waiting room at 9:56 whereupon I was promptly called back for vitals and then taken to the examination room. At one point along the way, we saw a traffic sign that said Boston was 16 miles away and that it would take 60 minutes to get there. Seriously. The drive to Manhattan earlier in the month was easier. 

Second, as it turns out, this doctor -- as well as the Sloan Kettering doctor, according to TSO anyway -- isn't sure whether this tumor is a Lyle or a GIST. Good grief. I thought that was settled. Anyway, the Dana Farber doctor suggested that, in six months, I should have another endoscopic ultrasound rather than a CT scan. I like that idea because this little whatever-it-is cannot be seen on the CT scan, but it could be seen and measured during the ultrasound. So, if it grows even just a little bit, the doctor will be able to measure it during an ultrasound. The doctor also will be able to do another biopsy, perhaps a core biopsy next time rather than the simple needle biopsy. That should provide a definitive answer as to what type of tumor is in my gut. 

The Dana Farber doctor also was very good about explaining the significance of GISTs of various sizes, which I appreciated, and he provided me with lots of information in general about them, as well as Lyles.

Hopefully, in six months, I will know exactly what this tumor is and that it has not grown.

Howler Protection Program

Since that first day we moved here, there have been a few storms, but nothing like the Remnants of Hurricane Ian on the first few days of October. I recall that, on that first evening, while Lou and TSO a/k/a Liege Man of Life, Limb, and Love were returning the U-Haul, the wind was so fierce I was afraid that the howlers and the bay would come crashing through the line of French doors that comprises the entire beach-side of this house. Well, there was no need for such fear, as Liege Man and I learned a few weekends ago, by happenstance, that those doors come with retractable storm shutters.

The owner of the local real estate company from which we leased the beach house was here fixing the television, which, of course, one of us cannot live without. While he was here, he just happened to mention the storm shutters, and then proceeded to show Liege Man how they work.

Real Estate Guy Rolling
Down Storm Shutters We
Knew Nothing About

So now, the next time we have a bad storm, we can listen to the howlers thrashing themselves against the storm shutters. I wonder what sounds of horror that event will make. Of course, the storm shutters won't prevent them from rearranging the chairs on the deck.

The Latest Howler Furniture Placement

Leaf Peeping

This past weekend was a beautiful one, so Jim and I planned to do what they call "leaf peeping" here in New England. I think that phrase is unique to this area of the country. I don't recall ever going "leaf peeping" in New Jersey. We'd go on "fall foliage" outings.

On Saturday, we went to Chatham for "Pumpkin People in the Park," which is a display of people made from pumpkins doing various things.

Jim & Wheelhouse Bike Co.
Pumpkin Cyclist

My favorite was the Chatham First Night display.

First Night Chatham

Look at these little cuties!

Happy New Year!

We ended our day with dinner at the Wild Goose Tavern, a very special place for us. We refer to our grandchildren as The Goozers, which is short for silly gooses. That's right -- from Penny down to Joey, they are all very goozey! When we first vacationed on the Cape in 2015 with Christina, Lou, and Penny and Michael (at the time) and visited Chatham, we saw the Wild Goose Tavern and, in honor of The Goozers, just had to stop there for lunch.

512 Main Street

Two Goozers at the Wild Goose Tavern
July 2015

Just Us Chickens
October 2022

On Sunday, we met Christina and the children in Lexington where we had a picnic lunch on the lawn of the Lexington Visitors Center. What a great place! In addition to offering clean bathroom facilities, the center has a gift shop with interesting items for sale. We bought an informative booklet detailing the history of the Battles of Lexington and Concord. In addition, a walking tour and trolley tour are available. Best of all, the Center has an expansive lawn with Adirondack and other types of chairs and a variety of outdoor games to play, such as corn hole and croquet. There was even a small trampoline for young children to enjoy.

Lexington Visitors Center
1875 Massachusetts Avenue

We have been inundated with leaf peeping reports on the evening news, including maps showing the "peaks" in various regions of New England. The colors range from green (early) to deep red (late). This past weekend, the route from Lexington to Concord was orangey-red, meaning peak. The deciduous trees were weird, though. Many continue to have green leaves. Some have already lost all their leaves. Still, there were enough bright yellow, orange, and red trees to satisfy us, although the bursts of color seemed somewhat tempered by the summer drought.  

Changing Leaves in Lexington

After a very quick picnic lunch, the children were off and running -- playing catch with Michael's football, testing their skills at cornhole, and jumping on the trampoline.

Grandpa Doling Out Lunch

Mary on the Trampoline
(Actually, she is off the trampoline)

Grandpa and the Boys Playing Football
(The ball is in flight)

When it came time to take a picture of the Goozers under the tree, well, that was a challenge.

Herding Cats Under the Tree

Herded Cats

Our oldest grandchild, Penny, had a prior social commitment scheduled, so she did not join us for our happy little outing. Still, we thought of her and missed her throughout our time together.

After our time with Christina and The Goozers came to an end, Jim and I headed to the Lexington Battle Green, which is across the street from the Visitors Center. There we saw the statute of a very attractive Minute Man. (Note: He was not as attractive as my dear HubCap.)

Minute Man Statue

From there, we went to the Belfry Hill Park, where Jim climbed Belfry Hill and took a picture of the replica of the belfry. Today, the belfry marks the beginning of Patriots Day every year when it is rung at 5:30 a.m. This is the time that the bell tolled on April 19, 1775 to signal to the Minute Men that the British were a mile or so away and called them to the Green where the first skirmish of the Revolutionary War took place.  

The Belfry

Patriots Day, by the way, is a state holiday in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as five other states, including Connecticut and Maine. It is observed on the third Monday of April and commemorates the Battles of Lexington, Concord, and Menotomy. (On their way back to Boston from Concord and Lexington, the British were greeted by various militias waiting for them in Menotomy.)

After our time in Lexington had come to an end, we drove to Concord for more leaf peeping. Although the bulk of colorful tees lined the side of the highway on our way from East Sandwich to Lexington, we found some beauties along the road from Lexington to Concord.

On The Way To Concord

Also On The Way To Concord

When we arrived in Concord, we parked near Holy Family Parish, which was built in a very New Englandy style.

Holy Family Parish

Autumnal Glory

Next to the church was a cemetery. There, the beauty of the season shone in hallowed rays of sunshine despite being surrounded by death.

Holy Family Parish Cemetery

Jack-O-Lantern-Dotted Graves

We ended the day with a visit to the Old North Bridge in the Minute Man National Historical Park.

Old North Bridge

It was a great weekend here on the Cape and Inland. We have so much to be grateful for, especially the men and women who fought to win our freedom.

We Will NOT Be Back

Throne, Glorious Throne!

Years ago, my brother-in-love Joe dubbed me, on his brother Jim's behalf, Mi Reina (my queen). It was all in good fun, but, hey, the fact that I refer to my husband as TSO, a/k/a The Sainted One, certainly plays into that narrative.

Speaking of TSO, a/k/a Liege Man of Life, Limb, and Love, he custom cut and affixed felt "Magic Sliders" to the legs of my chair and ottoman so that they don't scratch the hardwood floors. He also arranged to have the air conditioner units removed from the windows in this house, including the unit in the window next to the chair and ottoman. 

Now, I truly sit upon a glorious Starfish Throne with beams of heavenly light illuminating my countenance, as I hold court with my subjects, a/k/a my books. (Never mind the construction workers next door staple gunning and hammering all day. Serfs.)

It's Good To Be The Reina

And, yes, I am officially obsessed with this stupid thrift store chair and ottoman!

 

Discoveries

Our beach house living room is sparsely furnished. There is a sofa and two chairs. The chairs are not comfortable. Indeed, my feet barely touch the floor when I sit in them.

One of Two Uncomfortable Chairs

Last Thursday, on my way back from urgent care, I passed a garage sale taking place on the side of a back road. A white book shelf caught my eye, prompting me to turn around and go back. When I checked out the book shelf, I realized it wasn't right for me. However, next to it was a smaller sized wing back chair upholstered in hunter green fake velvet. It was $20, and I, like an idiot, didn't buy it.

When I returned to the beach house, I formulated a plan to find the next best thing among the wares for sale at the local Sandwich flea market, as well as a few thrift shops in Sandwich. I went to the flea market on Sunday and yesterday. Both visits were a bust. I went to two thrift stores, neither of which sold furniture, although I did pick up a beautiful leather bag at one of them -- never mind that it smells like it spent the last 50 years in grandma's musty basement. I have a box of baking soda sitting inside it right now in an attempt to eliminate the odor. Unfortunately, my internet research tells me that the best way to get rid of the smell is to use the bag. Ew. I digress.

Anyway, the kind ladies working at both non-furniture-selling thrift shops suggested that I visit Cape Abilities Thrift Shop in Yarmouth, which, they assured me, had a great selection of furniture. 

Cape Abilities Thrift Shop
West Yarmouth, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

The ladies were right! This morning, I decided to drive to Yarmouth to check out Cape Abilities and another thrift shop. I never made it to the second thrift store on my list, as Cape Abilities not only had  the perfect chair but also the perfect matching ottoman.

Starfish Chair and Ottoman

OK, so I paid a little more than $20, but I also got much more than an ugly dark green fake velvet chair, no ottoman. Plus, I have the perfect reading nook. I am thrilled, and I highly recommend Cape Abilities, which has lots of great items, in addition to furniture!

On another note, I have to say that there isn't much in the way of flora and fauna where we live. Oh, sure there's sea grass and various plantings meant to keep the dunes from eroding away, but they are nothing look at. Today, however, I walked out the front door and noticed a single beach rose in bloom. It was beautiful.

Beach Rose

I'm not so sure the rose will be there tomorrow as bad storms are rolling in tonight. The Howlers arrived this afternoon just to make sure we knew things were about to happen. It's OK. The past week has been gloriously warm and sunny.

Settling In

We've been in East Sandwich now for 10 days and have made a lot of progress in terms of settling in. By Saturday, we had gone from this

to this

Christina, Lou, and our six grandchildren came for a visit that day. Although, in my opinion, a lot more could have been done to make everything perfect, in the opinion of the Grands, it was all perfect enough to give them the satisfaction that comes with walking in and immediately setting about the task of tearing everything apart. I was awestruck by Michael's innate ability to zone right in on a book that Jim had purchased as a birthday present for him, which Jim had hidden, albeit in plain sight. (Michael's birthday is in late November.) I was terrified as they all tried to run up the spiral staircase to the loft at the same time and as fast as they could.

Of course, they loved the fact that our house is on the beach, and 5 of them spent quite a bit of time there with Jim collecting rocks and the small amount of shells they could find.

The Pied Piper of Sandwich

Number 6 and I watched from behind the screen door.

Granny and Joey

Soon, it was time for lunch, and everyone sat down to eat. There was sand everywhere. Everywhere.

Bedlam Comes to Cape Cod

We had dinner at a local restaurant. Afterward, Christina and Lou and 5 of the 6 went home. Catherine spent the weekend with us, collecting more rocks and dragging in more sand with the Pied Piper until we took her home yesterday.

This morning, I set about getting the house in total order while I did 10 days' worth of laundry.

Ode to Land o' Lakes

TSO and I explored a little today. We checked out the Sandwich Farmers Market. Today was the market's last day of the season. Boo! While there, we shared a small charcoal fired Margherita pizza, bought some EVOO and honey from a man who splits his time between Cape Cod and Greece, picked up some fresh produce, and treated ourselves to some freshly caught scallops.

We had a delicious dinner this evening.

Scallops Cooked in Bacon, Butter, and Italian Herbs
With a Side Salad

Life is good.

 

 

Bye, Bye Buoy

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Environmental Police have gotten back to me. They are coming to pick up the Ukrainian buoy today. I am sad.

Bye, Bye Buoy!