Today we spent a few hours on the sunny, breezy beach at Rocky Neck State Park, and it was delightful. We made a small mistake by going just after lunch, because the beach was jam-packed with people. (Usually, we like to go around 4:00, when the crowd has thinned a bit.) We made the most of it, though -- sitting in the shade of our umbrella, reading, and watching the beach-goers going about the business of beginning their summer in the best way possible. I took two dips, all the way under in the still icy water, and Cia rinsed herself off a few times. 

Drifting clouds over the beach

The crowd  

All refreshed after a dip

      Yesterday we had a drenching rain all morning, and we reveled in it -- me by sitting on the porch and watching it pour down across the street and lawns, and Cia by donning her best rain-gear and striding briskly around the square four times in the pouring rain. Later, the storm blew away and pleasant sunshine came along, so we sat outside in the shade and did some good reading.