On Monday, we had a long and entertaining day with Avis. Amy asked if we could possibly stay with Avis while Amy worked (school didn't start until Wednesday), and I think Cia really liked the idea right from the start. Within an hour of getting the request from Amy, she had gathered boxes and bags of materials to take up for the day.  It turned out to be a very successful day, I think. Even I managed help out now and then, although Cia did most of the work in keeping Avis busy and happy. 

Beautiful Avis

On Wednesday, we drove to Rocky Neck Beach and were shocked (well, I was) by the large crowd. After all, this was the first day of school, and so I guessed there would be only a handful of people there. WRONG! Perhaps because there was only a half-day of school, the beach was crowded with people, including many families with school-age kids. Nonetheless, we had a great time. I did 25 minutes of tiring swimming, back and forth up and down the  beach, some of the best exercise I have had in weeks. Swimming at the Y is enjoyable, but swimming in the warming waters of Long Island Sound with buoyant clouds floating above you is far, far better. We both, as usual, enjoyed observing the beachgoers and their distinctive, unique ways of behaving. 

One evening this week we drove over to Noank after supper for a quiet time on the grass overlooking the harbor. The darkness was slowly coming on as we sat and talked. A final few boats were slowing moving toward their moorings, and over at Ford's restaurant, the patrons were talking and laughing over their lobsters. How nice to sit with my Cia by the shore on a flawless summer evening!