Flo's Clamcakes

Friday was a picture-perfect day. Blue sky, no wind, and warm, but not hot. Mom and I were a leeetle late going to the studio, but we had a lot to do at the house first. Then she pulled into a parking lot (I jumped up from my seat and stuck my nose out the window - it just smelled sooooo good!) in Island Park, Portsmouth, RI. We drive by here all the time, but on the highway, so I was surprised when we pulled off. I tilted my head and looked at Mom and she said "I have a surprise for you!"

We got out, and as it is quite late in the season, walked right up to the window, where a cheerful girl asked what we would like. "Clamcakes" my Mom said ("What ARE THEY?" I wondered.). At this place in 1938 a hurricane tidal surge sent the waters to the tops of the windows. They had a marker for years showing how high, Mom said, but recently took it down.

When we got the sack of 'clamcakes' (and I will admit that sounds like a pretty ridiculous thing, I mean.. do they have clam frosting?) we walked across the street, where Mom lifted me up on the sea wall, and pointed out OUR house, across the water - HEY! Cool! Then the 'cakes' were cooled off enough for me, and we split 3 of them. Mom took one to the studio to paint (which she never did, ahem, and it's now stinking up the car...) and we broke the other 3 up and lined the pieces up on the seawall for the sea gulls. Mom says they've got to eat, and it's nice to get a treat every once in a while.... Me? I was ready for a nap.