wild harbor news

It’s hard to believe that yesterday’s all-day and all-night storm could lead to a perfect summer’s day today.

My mom and I walk 3 miles this morning, and are at the beach by noon.

In 1978, my parent’s moved to Wild Harbor. 

Then the area was fairly unpopulated.  But as more and more families moved in, and descendants of existing families grew up, the beach has become impossibly crowded.

There are now white painted lines in the little sandy parking lot.  Officially-produced signs indicating where golf carts should be parked vs. cars.  A special place for bikes.  And even a guard to keep trespassers out.

People come to the beach early to stake out their spots.  The worst offenders are the ones who set up a horse-shoe seating arrangement with ten or more beach chairs, then go home for several hours before returning.

It is impossible to just read.

My mom introduces me to Roz, her great grandchildren, and all the siblings and spouses in between.  Roz is 92, swims every day, and is in amazing shape.  She drives by herself into Boston, regardless of weather and bridge traffic.

Then we see Ardis and her husband Peter.  She’s the local photographer.

We also need to say hi to Davida’s daughter, Linda’s grandkids, and Kelly.

I see my friends Barbara and Rich but they are too far down the beach; I’ll talk to them later.

And then there’s the catching up. 

“Heidi and Craig are down, but most of their kids are at camp this summer.”

“Jonathan graduated and got a good job in Boston.”

“Jeffrey’s getting married this summer.”

“Sandy’s daughter is dating a guy who has a home in Sagaponack.”

“Linda’s daughter is having twins.”

"Adam graduated Wash U and is working at his dad's company."

"Barbara and Rich sold their house in Southboro and bought one in Naples, Florida."

“Did you hear that gunshot at two last night?  It definitely wasn’t a firecracker?” (Just what I want to hear; I feel so much safer in New York).

“John is selling his house.  He already bought a new one in New Seabury.”

 “Alder Lane really needs to be re-paved.  There are bumps and cracks everywhere.”

"Karen lost over 50 pounds.  She looks fabulous."

"Ya, and I think X gained it." (Obviously a name change).

“Did you see the new house that’s being built on Vivien’s old lot? The views are spectacular.  The new family’s from California.  But we’re glad that Vivien still comes down.”

“Did you see Norman (fake name)?  He looks like he’s 9 months, no 36 months, pregnant.”

And this is only the stuff my mom will let me print.  The other stuff is so much better.

I end up reading only 20 pages of Summer House With Pool by Herman Koch.

But at least I’m all caught up on the local news.