New England Clambake a real 4th of July Celebration!

http://local.yahoo.com/results?p=clams
clams

steamed, fried, baked, whole, stuffed, strips, stuffings, clam dip, clam pies and of course our beloved New England Clam Chowda... served in little California clam sourdough rounds mmmmm my favorite!

I love clams. Steamers, Little Necks, Cherry stones, Quahogs, Ipswichs. There is nothing that smells more like summer than an old fashioned clam bake on the shore. Their salty fresh scent everywhere here by the shore. Carloads of people pulling into shanty shacks, (my favorite) high brow fru fru restaurants and great family restaurants. Piling in like buckets of clams themselves. The summer sun, the excitement of driving on US-1 or the Old Boston Post Road or what I like to call it the BPR. Summertime, happy warm days, time for clamming.

Soft shell clams or Steamers grow in salt marshes and mud flats. Hard shell clams or Quahogs (an Algonquin word) live in sandy bays and along the shore. The Algonquins as most native peoples, used the clam for everything from food to tools and jewelry.

Of course the real fun starts with the search for buried treasure or clam digging. Pull on your favorite shorts and start gently walking along wide stretches of deserted salt marshes and beach, breathing in the salt air and being at one with nature. You may get lost in just doing this, but onto the work at hand.

So let's get started. You will need to be as close to the waters edge as you can get. You will need a clam rake, a pointed shovel a mesh bag or wire basket suspended from an inner tube. Now when the tide goes out look for little bubbles, air holes or dimples with a couple of inches between them, those would be the Big Daddy's. Once you see those, turn your back to the sea (disregard temporarily what your parents taught you about always looking out for the waves) and dig a deep vertical hole, quick now, because the clams know what's going on above them and dig down quick, anywheres from 6 to 9 inches to avoid being caught. Flip that spade full of sand over and see your 1st clam! Yes you will get dirty and gritty but a quick splash in the ocean water and you're as clean as the driven surf.

Then start a rich New England tradition of a good old fashioned clambake ah "a mighty party! Here is the real deal! At the beach dig a hole in the sand with the approximate proportions: width 2 feet, length 4 feet, depth 1-1/2 feet. Have the kids find and bring back stones from the beach. Then line the hole with stones from the beach. Build a fire inside of the hole and cover with rocks from the beach. Heat the stones for 2 to 3 hours. Take out the coals and/or embers from the hole. Arrange hot stones evenly across the bottom of the hole. Place fresh 1/2 bushel seaweed (wet) on top of the hot stones. Now work quick to layer the food on top of the seaweed, the food should be layered evenly on top of each other in the following order: clams, mussels, fish, sausage, hotdogs (wrapped in cheesecloth), onions, potatoes (white and sweet), corn, and finally lobsters. Cover the food with a clean, wet cloth. Place remaining seaweed on top of cloth. Cover entire hole of food with a wet tarpaulin (canvas cloth), sealing in the steam created by the hot stones and seaweed. Allow a only very small amount of steam to escape to relieve pressure. Let bake cook for 1 or more hours. The bake is completed when the potatoes are soft. Serve bake with melted butter to dip the seafood in, lobster crackers and of course a frosty cold beer...Samuel Adams of course. Bring lots of paper napkins and big plastic bags for clean up and pack out off the beach.

The simple act of foraging for ones food at the shore is almost primordial. The great discovery and joy of finding one and then another clam; and the great finale of gathered loved ones around the clam dinner table. New England life at it's best.

e

native dwellers of the magical salt marshes

the magical salt marshes stretch out like prairies do in the west
smooth with tall cord-grasses that move with the earths breath
culieques of blue and salt water curve thru it to the sea

the snowy egret, osprey, the marsh wren, willet and seaside sparrow

live here

their neighbors the marsh and fiddler crab, Atlantic ribbed mussel,

northern diamondback terrapin, along with the meadow vole, raccoon,
and fisher

all nourished by the magical salt marshes

it's epoch life and death cycle
feeding legions for eons
never dying in return

e

and remember him in my minds eye

the tiny morning light peers thru the fog like a laser telescope
one clear shot of sunrise and the rest shaded brilliance

it's all foggy white now, over the salt marsh pool
the squirrels dance so high in the trees
they look down into my room

there are so many things to see and hear
the brave little squirrel who at the very fragile tip of the tree top
jumps to the next tree and holds on there
. . . for a moment swaying
then moves on

baroque and chamber music in my ear
happiness

i so carefully open the window screen
risking salt marsh mosquitoes
to film the crimson red cardinal
who i simply cannot
i am meant to only see and remember him in my minds eye

e

...a good cloudy day

Scarlet sky
gives way to gray day

still and motionless
the lightest of misting rain

the robins hop and beak for food
the plants open their arms up and wide
stretching and stretching for the open sky

the salt marshes
soft and yellow green

a good cloudy day

e

"Westbrook Willie" our Groundhog

Peeks and Boos

the low fog down in the salt marsh
is oozing up toward the house
it's whitish pool
being uplifted by the rising sun
the sky is already clearing to a whitish blue

sunrise
shining white like heaven against the fog

here comes a big bold sleepy fisher
her stubby legs carrying her forward
mowing down not so delicately, what she finds

the sun peeks and boos against the fog as it rises in the sky
it's lost now for awhile

e

Beautiful Beautiful Rain

tapping on every leaf

the very small bush is playing drums

just as a drummer does
with his whole body
feeling every beat of the rain

with the rain comes the clearness of sound

so many tip taps that turn into a chorus
still falling still playing

i wish i was as benevolent as rain
touching everything with life

e

warm fog

Westbrook June 23 2008


fog hangs in the trees
brown bunny mows the grass
white cottontail on his ass

it's sticky
it's sweet with jasmine scent
and you feel as if you're energy is spent

everything is still but the traffic and birds
who of every size and shape chirp this is my tree and annoying me

bunny you look at me so small'
and wonder why i am behind glass
why I've put myself voluntarily in a zoo?

his paws are so little, almost like soft little little, soft fringed suede feathers
hopping so daintily among the morning dew

big teardrop eyes keeping on eye on curious me



this tea is warm and good
waking me up with a second sip
smells like summer

my face is soft and clean and I start to smile again
an ever so light cool breeze making it up from the
salt marshes make me believe it magic again


e

My Beautiful Salt Marshes

Westbrook

my beautiful salt marshes
where hope springs eternal

each day you bring the spring
and tomorrow you will bring summer

your reed grasses, now growing tall and free
crowned with beige tufts for all to see

your deep blue water streams
swaying their way to the shore

your life abundant evermore



e

!!!Static Electricity!!!!!!

static electricity

. . .intoxicating

all is sublime on the lime green salt marsh
bug siloquettes dance so daintly in the morning light

the crane makes his solo morning flight

the smell of the jasmine and berry vines blending together

. . .intoxicating

and this TREE

this magnificent maple tree

that colors my morning light spring green

makes this a glorious morning

e

"why does the moth so want to enter''

i live in a world
that ... i cannot remember


why does the moth so want to enter''




E

ship horns in the distance

the big balog balog balog balog horns shouts out
sending what msg.........................................
i'm an ignorant I do not know.........................................................................................................
please tell me
e

i live in a world
that ... i cannot remember


why does the moth so want to enter''

like little shy children

the heavy rain and rolling thunder has cleared the way
for a new fresh day

uncertain
the sky and sun
gently peer over the clouds
like little shy children

e

"like patches of white ghosts"

a fog is over the great salt marsh
it comes thru the dark green trees, like patches of white ghosts

slipping in here
wisping (hiding) over there

this grey morning is full of moisture

light rain falls so steadily
and builds on everything it touches

e

the line between here and there

I LOVE our backyard...


........there are many trees in the salt marshes
pines, maples, and other trees covered with tarzan vines

the line between here and there
present and past

it filters thru time from now, to yesterday in a
very few feet

the gigan...tuous maple tree holds her arms out to shelter
us from the morning light
back lighted in yellow
she turns a glorious green
you know the kind i mean

the yellow jackets silhouettes play against
the mini blinds and show a flittering puppet show

the sun is anointing me now, right on top of my head
and as i look toward the soft morning light, my eyes
sparkle with its delight

e

i love the dusk

...and so the western light passes over us,
and into
the "magical salt marshes"

we are in the shade
and they are in the brilliant setting sunlight

my sight is pulled there, and the infinite possibilites
it brings

i love the dusk
and tonight it brings with it
the soft sounds of fading songbirds, waining traffic
and...

the night

the sounds of scattered booming fireworks,
the evening train and crickets

the buzzing at my screen windows of big moths
battering it's wings to reach the light inside

e

"and the day starts new again"

time memoriam
the mist thick over the "magical salt marshes"
keeping their secrets shrouded

the mist blowing soft red with the sun
a thin ray of orange yellow red kaleidoscope light
shining like a laser on one spot in the backyard

good morning sun how nice it is to see you
it winks at me thru a narrow slot in my window
and the day starts new again

e

black, black, black, night

its one of those days when
you're hot and floaty like a feather
being drawn up in an upward wind

severe storm warning beep beep beep 4:39pm

barreling in from the west
on the feet of ghost buffalo's
rolling liquid mass of grey

to the window to see
white white, darkest blue, yellow red orange laser light
a crack
we look at one another in disbelief and immediate awareness
a breaking tree sound
exploding sparks
the heavy rain putting out the fire immediately

UNBELIEVABLE

the storm pouring rain out of it's hat

lightening

thunder cracks like to split the house in two

power on then off then on

then she's gone ...

the house next door with a tree on their roof
too close for comfort
their power is gone

our little tugboat house
snug
she's weathered, i think much more than this


black, black, black, night
how it should be
how it was
and how it will be

the crickets sing so softly
with the electricity gone we are all so sleepy
my head on my pillow...i am fast asleep

e

"i hear with the natives ear"

it's hot and humid
so my sight has turned to sound

i listen with the natives ear
ducks, songbirds i wish i knew their names
but it doesn't matter anyway
they are only made up mans names

solid wet breezy air
warm and sweet with the scent of spring summer

e

"music that is only made for natures ears"

misty moving morning
birds singing anxiously to bring the sun
cars moving nosily along the front lawn

aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh silence for a precious second
or i should say, natural, nature sounds for a minute
my mind having to jump between both
on and off

i look deep and far thru the tall trees and can peer into the foggy salt marsh from here
freedom and repose there
if i were a bird i'd fly

i'd fly and fly and see the sky
i'd look down and see how silly we are

the birds have done their job of parting the fog and welcoming the sun
the wind ever so slightly moves the maples' leaves like fingertips on a piano
playing the sweetest music that is only made for natures ears.

e

"my beautiful beautiful earth, I love you so"

i've lived my life by both shores
and there is a peace in each one
something deep yet so light and carefree

the sand so soft and warm
the sun so soft and illuminating
the wind so fresh and carrying life

waves white tipped and whipped
waves soft as a lullaby

i smell life
i feel life
i am home



it is a beautiful song
indescribable in words, only melody
i wish i was a musician so i could play what my
heart feels
i wish i was an artist so that i could paint what my
heart sees
i hurt with beauty

i cannot express enough
what is so sacred

in breath, in listening, in sight, and in touch

my beautiful beautiful earth, I love you so

e

“going to the beach, er shore”

took a quick ride to the beach er, shore

past the “PRIVATE” beach signs

winding thru green arches of trees so lush with life

it’s gentile and quiet here

even the ocean is soft with it’s waves

the little red boat bouncing on the water

i’m sure it’s been to the little island in the distance before

a microcosm of paradise

e

"Rain rain, Spring Rain Everywhere"

6:59am
Westbrook

"Rain rain, Spring Rain Everywhere"

It's raining full on and The Birds are singing???
I've never known or heard this before
They're singing in the rain while showering!
how magnificent, how amazing to me
yes the whole world is getting a bath!
I can actually see the rain=dashes as they fall from the sky, against the green maple tree
sheltering it/s red robins
green and brown everywhere the colors of earth
our little green rake
propped up again the shed window looks like its cute little eyelash and it's winking at me
all is good here this morning

e

Storms a brewing

5:28pm

Storms a brewing and I'm not a canoing

I look up high at clouds in wonder
breezy, breezy

the big trees leaves pushes the wind down to me
fresh so fresh and free

e

"misty morning"

...
the storm brought the mist
the sun brought the wind
it's warm cool and warm and sounds like the tropics

e