I was out on Buzzards Bay the other day. The sky was the clear blue that happens in June; the air was untinged by humidity. Birds were diving for fish swimming near the surface. I looked around and thought how lucky we were to live in such a beautiful part of the world.

I've decided that one way to appreciate our surroundings is by eating outdoors whenever possible. I tried to convince Daisy (my dog) to join me on the deck for lunch, but after forty-five minutes at the dog park, she was settled on her chair in the air conditioning, and just rolled her eyes at me. Have to love the dog park!

Last night, we had dinner at The Flying Bridge, and I was reminded again of the beauty of our corner of the Cape. Sitting out on the deck watching the boats making their way in and out of the harbor is a pretty nice way to spend part of an evening. It's a comfortable, breezy ringside seat to the passing show of Falmouth Harbor, shady in the evening and umbrella-tabled at lunch.

The menu is varied and invariably good. The 1 1/4 pound lobster in the rough is a good bet for $25, and their fried scallops are excellent. They have really good marinated steak tips for the non-seafood fan. My only minor complaint is that they should have a half-order of onion rings on the menu. The onion rings are great, but the serving is so huge that the only time I can order them is when we're with a group.

I have a sentimental attachment to The Flying Bridge. We were having dinner there the night we decided to put a bid on our current home in North Falmouth. We had been in town looking at various properties and made our decision sitting at a table overlooking the harbor. My husband didn't want to bother the realtor by calling her at 8:30 at night. I pointed out that a realtor wouldn't be bothered by a sale. She wasn't!

Life is made up of memories and appreciation for what we have and where we are.