Last day of first summer

Today marks the unofficial end of my first summer in The Next Chapter. This time last year, I had just sold my Wilmington house and was recovering from the whirlwind of decluttering, divesting, sorting, packing, and saying goodbye to the house I had lived in for 28 years. No tears… ready for whatever was next. And I must say, I chose well!

A few things tell me that I’ve made myself quite at home here…

Beach walks…

I plan my days around the best time and place to walk on the beach, which depends on weather, temperature, tides, and traffic. Both Cape Henlopen and Rehoboth beaches are 15-20 minutes away so I mix it up.

I like sunset walks on hard sand the best. At Cape Henlopen, there are few people once you head out beyond the area around the access pier. The music of the waves and the touch of sunset breezes are just delightful along with occasional frolicking dolphin, scrabbling sand crabs, and feeding gulls and sandpipers.

When the tide is too high to find hard sand, the boardwalk in Rehoboth is a great option for a long walk. In summer, it bursts with an eclectic mix of people – all ages, colors, languages, outfits, and tastes – and most of them are just there to have fun.

One of the advantages of joining All Saints Church is the parking pass to the lot next to the church – free at all times – and it’s only a half block from Rehoboth Beach and two blocks over from the main street, Rehoboth Avenue. That makes a big difference when Rehoboth parking fees are $4 per hour in the summer.

I still have more beaches to explore, but I’m not in the least tired of the walks along the shores I now know – they are different each time.

Nesting…

It has been a real joy to decorate and nest here, and I’ve been anxious to call it kinda done – a feeling I finally arrive at this week.

The new furniture is just about all delivered. My patio chairs came last week (LOVE THEM!), and my new ottoman comes in on Tuesday (last acquisition – at least for the moment).

The place has been painted, and decor from my Wilmington house has been lovingly updated. There are a few things that still need two sets of hands (and an electric drill/screwdriver), but hanging those last pieces will happen soon I think.

And I found the major artwork to install over the TV cabinet – it arrives at the end of this month (and deserves its own post!).

Am writing…

The Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild has been welcoming and their events have routinely been on my calendar. I so enjoy hearing people read their short compositions – such a mix of genre and style and use of language. I have even had a chance to share my own reading, and I’m signed up again for September’s Night of Songs and Stories (where the theme is Balancing Acts).

I spent a lot of time this summer writing a research paper on current practices in leader development for the Learning Guild. It turned out well, I think, and it will be published in a few months.

I’ve got a small line-up of other writing projects on my docket – and I’m getting into reading better books as well.

Getting around…

I’m not going to be one of those people who grumbles about the surge of people who show up for the summers (especially when some of them are my guests!), but I will also relish the quiet in the off season.

To get along in tourist season, you learn when to stay off route 1, when to plan errands, and when you need to make reservations (and where/when you can get by without them).

I learned how to navigate some of the parking circles – and how to watch out for people who haven’t figured it out yet.

No, I haven’t run into Joe Biden when he’s been down here at his beach house. But I have learned to tell when he’s in residence… just look for the Coast Guard cutter anchored off shore.

Favorites…

The arts scene here is pretty extensive, as you might imagine. I recommend you especially make note of the Rehoboth Art League’s Outdoor Show, held annually the first two weekends of August – the caliber of fine art there was amazing. The first weekend, I bought my living room art – the second, I took Nick and Tim. We enjoyed browsing, learning about techniques, wishing we had more places to fill with art (and the funds to be a real collector!). Even when I’m not buying art, I’ve found a few galleries to regularly check out just to see what there is to see.

The restaurant roster here is also fabulous! I’m too often tempted to eat out, even by myself. I’ll know where to take you when you come for a visit! Mind you, there are still more to taste-test, so I’ll keep adding to my recommendations as we move into fall.

I’ve Identified my favorite stores – for groceries, clothes, and home goods. And I’ve learned to shop online (still not a favorite, but often fastest route to what I need).

I have a new primary care practice, although it’s for 65+ so I don’t have an appointment until December.

And of course – Hosting…

There weren’t as many summer guests dropping by as I might have liked, but those who did spend a few days had a treat, I think… we did all the things – beach walks, bay cruise, local theatre, bowling, shopping, concerts, Botanic Garden, wine tasting, ice cream sampling, and art tours. Maria was here in June, and Nick and Tim came in July. Jo was here for my first Writers Guild reading, although she and Gail (and Moxie) stayed with family nearby. And Patrick and his family made a few appearances as well – and helped put together furniture and hang pictures. I’ll count Daniel as a summer visitor, too – he’s coming this week.

One of the draws of moving here is hopefully tempting friends and family to visit. Consider yourself invited!! And there’s no need to wait until next summer – there’s plenty to do here in fall and winter as well.

Settling into The Next Chapter…

I spent part of this Labor Day weekend reimagining my vision board… moving here has surely been good for my soul, and I am reenergized. I look forward to what the fall – and the next 20-30 years – will bring!

“Summertime. It was a song. It was a season. I wondered if that season would ever live inside of me.” ~ Benjamin Alire Saenz

I’m sure this summer season will live within me for quite a while.