Posts in Cape Cod
The Widow’s Walk
published by Fran SheaShe waited.
Pacing the widow’s walk, praying for his ship to appear on the horizon, her view of the sea uninterrupted from her perch.
But no!
And who but those onboard could know the truth — was it a storm? Pirates? Mutiny?
Or was it The Kraken?
We want to be more than just friends with: Yankee Ingenuity (Chatham)
published by Fran SheaYankee Ingenuity -> 525 Main Chatham, MA 02633
ANOTHER profile in that special series dedicated to bringing our readers biased reviews of shops that carry our goods.
I love a Main Street.
Someday, I will criss-cross this great nation in my (fictional) pick-up with my (fictional) Pocket Pomeranian and my (fictional)) beat-up Polaroid — snapping photos, capturing the quirkiness, the uniqueness, of each Main Street. These will make a great coffee-table book. A companion to my (fictional) Public Bathrooms Across America Book.
The Queen of Main Streets is in Chatham, Massachusetts. Cape Cod. New England’s Main Streets look like movie sets and Chatham’s Main Street is so adorable it should be wrapped in a blanket and burped.
Yankee Ingenuity carries Zeichen Press cards, so it seemed polite to pay them a visit.(Notice my friend, Andy. Notice his t-shirt.)
Once inside, my Attention Deficit Disorder became acute and I put on my horse blinders.
I made my way to the counter and had a nice chat with the owner — she told me that her husband (an amputee) LOVES:I bet because of the tricorn hat.
There were so many delightful treasures — here are a few that jumped out at me:
I would like a set of eight.
A shark puppet would help me work through my fears.
These little banks would help me save for my criss-crossing America road-trip.
That was fun. I mean, that was hard work. Do I have to hate something to write it off as a business expense?
Unseasoned Traveler
published by Fran SheaThere were three things needed for airplane travel with a group of (Shea) children (in the 1970’s):
1) Hubba Bubba
2) Mad Magazine
3) Air Sickness Bags
I don’t think there was ever a flight that didn’t involve one (or more) of us vomiting. Because of this, we quickly located our air-sickness bags in the front seat pockets before seat belts were even fastened.
My parents pretended they didn’t know us.
It was shameful (and a relief) to hand your vomit-filled bag to the stewardess. In those days, the airline logo was proudly emblazoned on each bag. But no more. Today, the bag is white! Who wants to throw-up in a white bag?
Not me.
I designed a bag that I can’t wait to get in front of the bigwigs at SunCountry. They’ll love it.
Our #1 Fan just joined us on The Capeand I’m so glad he’s not a serial killer. He’ll be here for a few days and then we’ll have to say goodbye. I really, really hate saying goodbye. I hate it so much, I made a card:
Shaaawwwp Chedahhh
published by Fran SheaWell, here I am, back on The Cape for some Rest & Relaxation. Sharks are the big news out here
(sorry, Andy) so I sent the kids right out into the ocean.I told them that we need to make clam chowder and clams don’t clam themselves — so get to work.
I believe the following card captures the feeling of every citizen on our planet:Why would I send that card/who would want to receive a card like that?
Um, I don’t know your friends and I’m guessing we all have at least one unabomber in our lives.
The Post Office
published by Fran SheaSummers on Cape Cod before the invention of electronic mail (or personal computers) meant low-tide foraging, wiffle ball and handwritten letters. Letters were elaborate and could include drawings, mix-tapes, whipper-snappers, and live specimens.
I learned that the more letters written, the more received, so rainy days were spent diligently embellishing the news: Picnics with the Kennedy’s, shark hunts, ghost encounters – all sort of true.
There was (and is) no mailbox at 29 Freezer Road and so the day includes a walk to town for the newspaper and a visit to the post office. The post officers knew us by (last) name and quickly slid the day’s mail across the counter.
The Intern has been pulling orders with a smile on her face. How does she do it it?
My job is to bring them to the post office. I am tempted to fill the boxes with live specimens and whipper-snappers but I will restrain myself.
SHARK!!!
published by Fran SheaAirplane Safety Card (continued)
published by Fran SheaAfter a harrowing day at the beach, I had to stop into the Brewster General Store
to check out their card selection – one thing is clear: they might have enough rubber lobsters but they do need some letterpress from Minnesota. I will see what I can do about that.
A day at the beach always includes:
That poor thing has been around for such a long time.
Airplane Safety Card
published by Fran SheaTOPLESS WOMAN MOLESTED BY LOCAL SEAL
published by Fran SheaWellfleet, Massachusetts
A Minneapolis woman dove into the icy Atlantic Monday morning in an attempt to “meet a seal”.
Assuring onlookers that the attempt was an “act of diplomacy” she swam a distance of approximately 50 yards using a stroke known as the Dog-Paddle. She met the 350 pound Harbor Seal unaware that the top of her two-piece bathing swimsuit had become untied and dropped to her waist. The woman is reported to have said that the seal reacted to the introduction like “some sort of wild animal” … “His flippers were all over me.”