Staying Curious in Cape Cod……..

Hi DTG Fan Club!!! How I wish all of you could be here with me! What a magical place. An entirely new experience to be in Cape Cod not working……a true blessing in disguise for this girl. I’m living my dream life in a dream land, experiencing the richness of humankind. I have met SO many people. I have created a life here in the last 20 days, I will be VERY sad to leave in 10 more days, but manifesting a return for next year longer.

After the Full Moon Woman’s Circle at The Center for Spiritual Journey, I was introduced to a new Cape Cod I had not experienced before. I have time and freedom to sign up for classes, events, and once in a lifetime experiences, I have soaked up every minute to it’s fullest. Saying yes to every opportunity presented. I have attended a Forest Bathing Walk, Astronomy Class (Red River Beach)- An evening under the Stars, Circle of the Soul Class, Labyrinth Walk, Qi Gong Class in the woods, and a few Sound Bath sessions. The level of the sound bath’s vibrations blows my senses, as 3 people are playing bowls, didgeridoo, rain sticks, and a piano type instrument that plays by air.

The amount of spiritual, raw, genuine opportunities that have opened up since my sister left have blown my mind. The people I have met, friends I have made, and relationships that have been created has been a true gift. Plus, BIG bonus- I’m living in a beautiful condo in the most gorgeous neighborhood. I’m in a resort community (Ocean Edge) with a golf course out my front door, guard gates, the Cape Cod Rail trail access within the community, and walking distance to the beach. I mean SERIOUSLY- pinch ME!!!!

The sunsets are never taken for granted by this girl, nor are the Nor’Easter Storms. I lost power already one time and had rain 2 days in a row non-stop. I LOVE the sounds and sights of the season Fall! The immense beauty in the colors of the leaves, the crazy wind that blows at high speed, the brisk cold in the air. I’m simply in heaven!!

Lisa (a Leo) is my new found friend, who happens to be Jewish and transformed her life 4 years ago. We have gotten together 2 times with one more planned before I leave. What an incredibly strong, open, insightful grounded spiritual lady! Kathleen (An Aquarius), she is a neighbor who I also met at my Moon circle, the oldest of 7 siblings, with her youngest brother being 18 yrs younger at 55. She and I walked 6 miles on the Rail Trail. She also goes by the Pseudo name Dora the Explorer- wild! We have so much in common. Mary- she and I also went on a walk in her neighborhood, she is an executive at IBM, but also owns an Ice Cream truck business, Cape Cod Pops!

These ladies have all opened up and shared there life stories with me, adding SO much wisdom and insight into the realities of everyday life. Everyone is craving rich connections. The journey’s our lives takes us on, the challenges presented, the perserverance established, and the people we become because of the twists and turns we conquer in this life. Every conversation is deep, filled with genuine and authentic sharing- these encounters are all packed with so many wise teachings. Without sharing their personal stories……I have been blessed by each of them in such a short moment of time.

As for another experience, Forest Bathing— a real term and art that began in Japan. This was such a unique experience. Known as immersing yourself mindfully in nature. This was lead by a woman named Carol at The Sylvan Gardens. The day before I received an email from Carol telling me and the other attendee where to meet her in the Gardens. The email began…….”Hi Laurie & Bruce” – my heart skipped a beat. For all you readers who “know” me. My daddy is Bruce. I already knew this was going to be a special day. 💫

We arrived….it was a chilly day! I was bundled up in double jackets, Carol began with the history of Forest Bathing, some exercises & stretches, a few QiGong motions (good thing I had just learned some- ha) and a short meditation. She explained how we are going to walk slowly paying very close attention to all 5 of our senses as you take in the beauty of the surroundings with intentional awareness. The calmness, sensory engagement, and spiritual grounding was off the charts. I was blown away by how much I was noticing by her simple suggestions to SLOW down and take it ALL in.

The sounds of the leaves rustling, the crows overhead with the birds singing, the howling of the wind, the cicada and animal/bug noises. It felt like a stereo for the outdoors. Then came my eye candy–sight, the many shades of greens, the height and density of the trees-their strength, the ponds- lakes in the distance, the mushrooms growing in the wild, the many raccoons & squirrels, berries growing, muddy puddles, the blue sky, the plaques with meaningful messages honoring peoples lives on benches. I was noticing SO much in this experience, I have never walked this slowly in nature with such awareness. Carol stopped us to share what we were noticing. She read a few poems, and offered more insight into why she does these classes. At one of the shares, I shared how cool it was to be walking through the woods with a “Bruce” . Well, Bruce happened to be one cool dude. An older gentleman who had spent time at an Ashram in India. What a calm cool and collected spiritual man! He offered a thought about Trees having consciousness. He was a wise soul with a wooden walking stick. He shared that the name Bruce means Warrior of the Woods. My daddy was definitely a warrior.

Towards the end of our walk that entailed much more I will not take up this post with…..Carol offered us to select a tree to spend some time near. She suggested leaning in when comfortable with your third eye, and if feeling so inclined to hug the tree. I was called to a very specific tree immediately. I knew it and was drawn to walk over to a tall Copper Beech Tree. Once home, I looked up the meaning of the tree I chose and learned it symbolized resilience, femininity , and wisdom. I loved every moment of this day and experience. I recognized how fast I walk through nature normally never truly aware of my surroundings. Always with headphones in, or talking- never in silence. This was a welcomed treat to say the least. I thanked them both for their protection and safety to wander so slowly through the woods together.

When I left I realized I was so close to the Labyrinth at Chase Park. I went over and walked the journey of life in the energy of the day with a serious storm brewing with the windmill in my view. What a beautiful park. I mean- Cape Cod is truly a special place. I had a regular life appt to get home to, the Cable guy was scheduled to come by. After 2 days of rain I was thrilled for a long beach walk during the middle of the day. I had the entire beach all to myself, crazy! The tide was out and the sand was flat and smooth, seagulls were everywhere, but no humans. On my walk home, I made my way to the Brewster Book Store, the Corner Store, and grabbed a hot apple cider at The Snowy Owl- the cutest coffee shop nearby. The many coffee shops, another favorite is Hey Joe and the Jam. This place is unique with NO wifi, they want to be considered the third space. A place you go to connect, talk, and engage with others. My kind of place. They offer live music performers, have games, yummy homemade baked goods, books, and the coolest vibe. Oh, and they sell jams – which they use in many of their baked yummy goodness. My skinny days may have escaped me- oink oink. LOL.

My playdates have not only been with all these ladies, I have met very nice men too. I spent the day with a new friend in Hull, MA near Nantasket Beach. A very cool beach town 1 hour outside of the Cape. We met for lunch and hung out at a cool Seafood Shack- Schooners at the beach. A juke box was there and we chose many great tunes, singing 1980’s music while chatting it up with all the regulars. I felt like I was hanging out at “Cheers” for the day. And, we had matching watches, I mean what man wears a Movado watch, funny fact. The energy of this place was infectious. So many others in the place started singing, it was such a fun day!

I also had the opportunity while working at The Chatham Bars Inn to meet people visiting from San Diego. Two older tech businessmen who were so intrigued by the family building space, When seeing them the next day again they surprised me with an espresso martini. Like Terri says, I’m a friendly sister- HA!!

I got my hair cut at a local salon, have a nail salon I have become a regular, it’s becoming like real life living in Brewster. Farmers Market on Saturday’s, seeing the same deli guy at the grocery store, befriending the clerk at the local post office, and the workers at the local fresh fish market too. Life here feels like a movie – small town lifestyle agrees with me. Diane Keaton from Baby Boom is what I keep imagining. So sad she passed away. :-(. I loved that movie (apple sauce and the baby). ☺️

Today was The Circle of the Soul class offered at my Healing Center in Chatham This was another incredible circle of sharing. In honor of the new moon, 10 of us sat around and set intentions. We all had to answer the question- Why are you here? What is your souls purpose? Deep, again rich conversations around this tight knit circle about the meaning of life. I exchanged numbers with 2 more new friends, already scheduled a walk with one for next week. It’s like I’m a magnet for making new connections. Feeling extremely grateful!! 🤗 LUCKY!!!

I’m scheduled for another Forest Bathing experience tomorrow- it’s at a different location, so Carol says I should attend. I purchased rain boots, as it’s a muddy/wet area we will be exploring. My Aunt & Uncle arrive tomorrow to stay 3 nights with me. I’m super excited for their visit- they are signed up to attend QiGong with me, a comedy show, and a few yummy dinners are planned. Stay tuned for more Adventures with Dora.

Love Me! XO ❤️

Laurie Sue/AKA- Dora

P.S. Bruce & Lisa- I hope it’s okay, I shared your photos 🙂 ….and Bruce I will reply to your email soon. Thanks for sharing your blog too! 🤗