I’ve been coming to my family’s house in Brant Beach, which my grandfather designed and had built in 1936, since my first summer (1960). Probably the first beachcombing I did was on all fours; I imagine that I ate some of what I grabbed, as my own kids did.

SHOW AND SHELL: The author makes garlands with shells she finds during her beachcombing jaunts. Using ribbon, twine or yarn, her creations are gifted to family and friends. This activity came about after she took over her late mother’s seashore house and became more comfortable with managing it. (Photos courtesy of Alison Mack)

Over the years I’ve sought various treasures: skate egg cases, jingles, starfish, fused oyster shells, colorful clam shards, sea glass, conch shells in beautiful states of decay. Several remarkable souvenirs of ocean life have seemed to find me when I wasn’t really looking for them.

When my mother died in 2009, it largely fell to me to keep our seashore house going – something I felt unprepared to…