June eating her favorite seafood…Clams

The Journey…………Memories

The Sounds of Silence……The group of cousins and in-laws had a glorious time reminiscing, laughing and enjoying themselves.  The group is in the ‘winter’ of their life and as the evening drew to a close the conversation took on a different tone.  Not in words but in non-verbal gestures.  It was almost as if we could not say good-by, hugs were more intense, words more loving and caring. Without saying it the group seems to know this could be the last time they would be together.  On our trip to Hyannis Port June’s behavior continued with the same characteristic……..the sounds of silence.

Malte Bottcher and his family, 13 in number, arrived in the United States from Sweden in the early 1900’s.   Malte, the father of seven children,  one of whom was June, had an amazing love for the sea and fishing.  Almost every weekend he would gather the three older boys into his ‘beach buggy’ and head to the ocean to fish.  At the age of nine June began to accompany her dad and brothers on their weekly fishing trip to places such as: Buzzards Bay, Race Point, Gloucester, Sandwich, Provincetown, Martha’s Vineyard, Hyannis, Barnstable, Truro, etc.   It is from this background that we arrived at the Cape to renew memories of the past as we visited these fishing villages.

To the visitor, such as myself,  I was immediately impressed with the age (late 1600’s and early 1700’s) of the beautiful villages throughout the Cape.  The houses made with ‘shakes’ provided a natural beauty that preserves the integrity of the environment.  Large sea worthy vessels moor in the docks.  Overhead the sound of seagulls punctuates the air bringing a smile to June’s face. Quaint villages with eateries and wonderful pastries became an immediate downfall for me.   Several of the villages were recognizable and familiar to June.  Falmouth, Woods Hole, and Barnstable had maintained their cultural flavor with the small village atmosphere.  The historical Kennedy Compound and their church of worship continue to be a place held in awe.  The Island, like most other places in America, has become a tourist Mecca.  This was especially true during our visit Labor Day Weekend.

The natural beauty of Cape Code is outstanding.  Commercialization has taken its toll, however, the beauty is locked in June’s memory and brings warm feelings and a smile  to her face.

June and I leave for Yonkers, New York via the east coast line stopping as we feel lead.  The beauty of the ‘golden years’ is not having an agenda. For those of you who know me well you will understand how hard that concept is for me.  However, you would be proud, I am in process, but learning.  The final stop of our Eastern trip across America is at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.   The Naval Academy and Notre Dame are two Universities that are on my ‘bucket list.’   Our plans are to visit the ‘fighting Irish” in South Bend in October.

….A Day Without A Smile is

a day wasted…………..

June and Gary