Wren's buoy nest

It was rainy, foggy and windy until the last week of June
and then the magic began.

Every morning I wake to the birds outside my window.
I get up and have my coffee on the terrace around 6am.

Yesterday I noticed the tiniest wren flying around the buoys
hanging from the outside shower. In and out, in and out with
twigs in her tiny beak. She would perch on the fence chirping away
and then take take her treasure into the perfect hole inside the buoy.
It was like watching an incredible movie or reading a book you can't put
down. Nature is my church!

Values Matter

I am sitting at the kitchen table feeling humbled and small after my painting class.
I struggled all morning to get a decent drawing/ underpainting of two pears in a bowl;
yes, two frigging pears in a bowl. I came home with nothing but a piece of 12 by 18
canvas paper toned with burnt umber and the realization that I didn't know squat about
drawing, painting, color and especially value.

After class I decided to go to Whole Foods; when in doubt, food shop. I needed two things and yet I managed to spend $100 which fit in two brown paper bags. At least dinner was covered and I found
the two items.

 I got home ,left the brown grocery bags on the kitchen table and unloaded the painting supplies. As I hauled in the last of the supplies my bin of oil paints slipped out of my hands
leaving a nice stain of cadmium red on the carpet. Was this a sign?

Later, as I sat down to eat lunch I looked at the still unpacked  grocery bags on the table.
Nestled between the the various writing on the bag, "watermelon, green juice, organic eggs, sushi"
was "Values Matter" I looked at it in disbelief. Though I am discouraged, part of me feels this could be a really important day for me. "Values Matter "

The "Washashore " aka "Chatham Charlie "story part 2

The response to the cover photo was so positive that Lisa Franz, the Executive director of the Chatham Chamber of Commerce, decided to use him in the current cross marketing campaign. Her Operations Manager and right hand woman, Danita Scribner, came up with the idea to call him "Chatham Charlie". So this will be the summer of Charlie for the Litwin family and the town of Chatham. My husband Paul is beside himself. He is obsessed with all three of our Goldens ( our 15 year old girl Jamie and our 10 month old puppy Rosie ) but Charlie has clearly stolen his heart. Our boys, Peter 27 and Alex 25, loved marching in the 4th of July parade with Charlie.

We hope he brings a smile to your face and helps you discover the many wonderful places to go and see in Chatham. The card, print and posters are available at Local Color Art Gallery on Rte 28 in W.Chatham. The posters are also available at Where the Sidewalk Ends Bookstore, Chatham Clothing Company, The Chamber Visiter Center on Rte 28 and the visiter booth in the middle of Chatham center. Proceeds from the sale of the poster will go to the Chamber's scholarship fund and local animal rescue efforts. For more updates check out and "like" Chatham Charlies FB page as well as the Chatham Chamber of Commerce FB page. Wishing you all an EPIC summer and don't forget to take time to smell the roses.

The story behind "Chatham Charlie" aka "Washashore" Part 1

Charlie was 8 months old when I took the photo of him in the washed up blue dory. Last year

the photo was featured on the "Welcome to Chatham" page of the Chamber's guidebook. To have it picked as the cover shot is truly a thrill and an honor!

So many people have asked about the story behind the photo that I decided to share it on my blog. When you live here year round people ask "What do you do here off season?" The short answer is " I walk on the beach and take lots of photos. " On a chilly day in late April we walked was out to see the new cut with my friend Ann Brown. On the way back we decided to walk the inside of South Beach and that is when we saw the washed up blue dory. It was Ann's idea to put Charlie in the boat. He was good at sit, stay and look good even at 8 months. I took a few shots with my point and shoot Canon Power Shot and the rest is history.

I thought it would be fun to call it "Washashore" as I am a summer girl, aka "Washashore" My grandparents, Dick and Jean Tyner bought a house here in the 1920's and I have never missed a summer. The distinction between " a local " and "a washashore" is very clear and some people take it quite seriously. Even though Charlie was raised here he was born in Upton, MA at LazeDaze Kennels. Therefore he is and always will be a " Washashore " He's cool with it.

Writing as Prayer

"Although we seldom talk about it in these terms, writing is a means of prayer.
It connects us to the invisible world. It gives us a gate for the other world to talk to us
whether we call it the subconscious, the superconscious, the imagination, or the Muse.
Writing gives us a place to welcome more than rationale. It opens the door to inspiration.
Writing is a spiritual housekeeper. Writing sets things straight, giving us a sense of our
true priorities. "

March 10
From The Artist Way Every Day
by Julia Cameron

Magic Happens

Above all, watch with
glittering eyes the whole world around
you because the greatest secrets are always
hidden in the most unlikely places.
Those who don't believe in magic
will never find it.

Roald Dahl

Cape Cod's second blizzard