Nature & Science
The recent obituary for Norm Asher reminded me of what bird-watching was like in the 1970s. Norm Asher was one of many Vineyard summer residents that were “turned on” to bird watching by the Chilmark Community Center bird walks. Norm signed on to participate in the CCC bird walks in the early sixties when Eddie Chalif was the charismatic leader. I didn’t join in until the very late sixties, early seventies. By that time there was a devoted group of friends and fellow bird-watchers that had met at the community center who would go out almost daily.
Winter Walks
The Polly Hill Arboretum is beginning their winter walk series on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 10 a.m. Exploring the grounds during the off-season is a chance to experience and embrace the ethos of a less is more way of life at its most relevant, outside.
Each month Polly Hill will offer a new tour so visitors can continue to witness nature in its more quiet, winter glory. Subsequent tours will be held on Jan. 8, Feb. 12 and March 12.
If Edgar Allan Poe laid his eyes upon a fertile frond, he would no doubt have been profoundly affected. He observed that “Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.”
Some can’t help but be sensitive. Edgar Allen Poe and the sensitive fern know this.
Rob Gatchell is seeing red.
Though you may not realize that you know Rob, you likely at least know where he lives. Soon enough, his home on County Road in Oak Bluffs will become one of the most visited holiday attractions on the Island. It is his spectacular seasonal light display that causes all of the fuss.
The late-night moon moves through the constellations of spring this coming week. In the wee hours of Sunday morning, the moon appears in the zodiacal constellation Leo. The moon rises in the east near midnight. The moon is near the bright star Regulus.
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Nov. 19 54 38 Trace
Nov. 20 51 27 .00
Nov. 21 53 36 .00
Nov. 22 48 34 .00
Nov. 23 59 47 .00
Nov. 24 62 42 .00
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 52º F.
Almanac
A comprehensive guide to weather and tides on the Island.
Vineyard Gardener
I guess this past week weather-wise is called a January thaw. We did not really experience it the last several years as December was unseasonably warm.
Farm & Field
Beige and brown and tan and black, with horns spiraled or semicircular or in undulating waves, a legion of goats marched up the hill toward us, bleating in anticipation of fresh grass and leaves.