This was, I am happy to report, a much better experience than the last time when we spent a lot of time clinging to a duck blind to catch our breath. The water was smooth, YEA, and there were fish jumping with dolpins hot behind, pelicans and terns, and conch shells galore. Dan said I was in danger of sinking my kayak with my shells. Will have to show some restraint and be a little picky. The tide had gone out by the time we paddled back in and had to wade through muckity muck to get to the sandy beach and then the funny sight of Dan stepping into a hole and down he went. Would anyone believe that he hadn’t flipped over the kayak? That’s his story and he’s sticking to it.

Peaches and cream and not the yarn

What a delight to be able to zip to the market this morning before coming into the shop and pick up fresh produce. We do miss our farm in that respect. This morning I made a beeline for the truckload of peaches which Cathy, in Stitch Time Thursday night, said were wonderful, as in juice dripping down your chin. Okay, got the peaches, but what about those cantelopes sitting on the back end of that truck? Gotta have one and that honeydew too. How do you tell when those things are ripe? I have been so disappointed on more than one occasion cutting into one with great anticipation only to find it still green. The farmer this morning assured me this one was ripe and ready to eat. Will let you know after the chilling how good it is. But now my shop doesn’t smell like luscious yarns, but luscious peaches and cantalope. Oh well, I think we’ll grin and bear it today.

Lace Knitting

We will have a two part lace knitting class beginning in September. The first class will concentrate on teckniques and terminology used in lace knitting. The second class will be reading charts and putting it all to use in knitting the Spring Time on Delmarva scarf that Jackie Jones, the instructor, has written.

The pattern is lovely and in case working with lace weight yarn has always given you the willies, she has chosen a DK weight yarn for this class. To see a full description of the two classes, click on this link…Lace Knitting. Check out our class schedule here…Class Schedule.

Canada Geese

The geese are defintely beautiful and we love seeing the goslings in the spring. But guess what! They grow up! So now where there were once several dozen, multiply by dozens of babies all grown up. Which are still beautiful, but gosh, they need a crossing guard when they decide to travel. The grass is always greener and the glade with water is always on the other side of … you guessed it, the road! You can always tell the out-of-towners who are still operating on the proverbial time clock instead of island time. Sit back and enjoy part of the reason you are visiting the Island.

Pony Swim Complete with Cowboys

The long awaited week has arrived on the Island along with so many people …all here to see the famous ponies. We are excited as everyone else. Even with all the vacations out here before we moved, we never were here for pony swim.
It began early yesterday with the salt water cowboys bringing the ponies, about 100, from the north end of Assateague down the beach to join the southern herd of about 50 to be checked by the vet to make sure they are healthy and able to make the swim.

It’s amazing to see all these ponies together.  After a strenuous walk down the beach to the corral, most of the foals were found dozing in the shade or eating. The stallions were having choice words with each other and the mares were rolling their eyeballs at the various displays of temper. Tomorrow is the big swim across the channel and march down the streets of Chincoteague to the fairgrounds where they will hold the auction the following day.

Not sure I want to see all the babies sold but that’s the way it is. They must keep the number on Assateague at 150 so the foals are sold each year.  All the buyers are checked out, no ponies riding off in the back of a VW bug.

What not to do!

It was a kiss the ground… oh it’s mud and shells… right! kayaking trip today. With the waves breaking over the front of the kayaks, AWK!, we knew we were in trouble. We had gone into Little Oyster Bay and then into Big Oyster Bay and then made our way into the Assateague Channel just to see what was around the next stand of grasses. Big mistake. The wind had whipped up and even though the tide was going our way, paddling was difficult. We made our way to a duck blind and glued ourselves to it for a while to rest.  A Great Blue Heron standing out in the middle fishing was probably yukking it up at our expense.  Did you know there are over 81 species of birds that nest on Assateague? We are usually treated to quite a show of different ones each time we go out kayaking which makes it worthwhile. I’ll still be very glad to sit and knit the rest of the afternoon. WHEW!