Island Light: Fickle Winter
1927 Crosby catboat Genevieve captained by Bob Luckraft of Mashpee.
1927 Crosby catboat Genevieve captained by Bob Luckraft of Mashpee.
Gay Head Cliffs add a splash of color to winter's somber palette.
Gay Head Cliffs add a splash of color to winter's somber palette.
Flotsam, or is it jetsam, in Chilmark Pond.
Flotsam, or is it jetsam, in Chilmark Pond.
Looking westerly from the Abel's Hill beach lot.
Looking westerly from the Abel's Hill beach lot.
Pots on the Edgartown harbor spend their winter on the docks.
Pots on the Edgartown harbor spend their winter on the docks.
Calm waters in the Lagoon Pond at Martha's Vineyard Marina.
Calm waters in the Lagoon Pond at Martha's Vineyard Marina.
This mallard proves the saying, like water off a duck's back.
This mallard proves the saying, like water off a duck's back.
Majestic swan.
Majestic swan.
Osprey pole off the Lobster Hatchery.
Osprey pole off the Lobster Hatchery.
Pine cones and needles carpet the state forest floor.
Pine cones and needles carpet the state forest floor.
Casting shadows.
Casting shadows.
The forest primeval.
The forest primeval.
Fine day outside at Sweetened Water Farm.
Fine day outside at Sweetened Water Farm.
Classic New England scene.
Classic New England scene.
Pulled safely ashore for the winter.
Pulled safely ashore for the winter.
Sailboats turn to the weather in Vineyard Haven harbor.
Sailboats turn to the weather in Vineyard Haven harbor.
Waiting and watching.
Waiting and watching.
Gay Head Light.
Gay Head Light.
Downtown West Tisbury is quiet, but lots of activity at town hall.
Downtown West Tisbury is quiet, but lots of activity at town hall.
For the moment, we can't see any drawbacks to this mild winter. While those north of us will be digging out from snow, the Vineyard woke to rain . . . lots of rain.
Reminded of how capricious and resistant to prediction our weather can be at this time of year, the wisest among us will accept each day without complaint. On the other hand, we reserve the right not to be wise.