Island Light: Spirits Rise
Sentry keeps watch in the Camp Ground.
Sentry keeps watch in the Camp Ground.
Pink goes well with white, don't you think?
Pink goes well with white, don't you think?
Stanley Larsen tinkers around on his boat in Menemsha.
Stanley Larsen tinkers around on his boat in Menemsha.
Chilmark home dressed in winter colors.
Chilmark home dressed in winter colors.
Mayhew Chapel in Christiantown stands idle in February.
Mayhew Chapel in Christiantown stands idle in February.
East Chop Gems in their off-season cradles.
East Chop Gems in their off-season cradles.
Icicles grow longer.
Icicles grow longer.
Katama lifeguard stands under blue February sky.
Katama lifeguard stands under blue February sky.
Keith Farm Pond with a view to the ocean beyond.
Keith Farm Pond with a view to the ocean beyond.
Northeast snow blankets Seaview avenue.
Northeast snow blankets Seaview avenue.
Golden sundown burnishes Ocean Park.
Golden sundown burnishes Ocean Park.
Tashmoo filled with sledders this week.
Tashmoo filled with sledders this week.
At the top of Institute Hill.
At the top of Institute Hill.
Calmer waters off Vineyard Sound.
Calmer waters off Vineyard Sound.
Vacancy on Inkwell Beach benches.
Vacancy on Inkwell Beach benches.
Not quite fried clam season yet.
Not quite fried clam season yet.
Winter coats for the grand ladies of Ocean Park.
Winter coats for the grand ladies of Ocean Park.
Snow fence on State Beach lives up to its name.
Snow fence on State Beach lives up to its name.
Tabernacle sits quietly.
Tabernacle sits quietly.
The view from Waban Park.
The view from Waban Park.
Outside the American Legion in Vineyard Haven.
Outside the American Legion in Vineyard Haven.
No hay this time of year.
No hay this time of year.
Rising waters in Edgartown.
Rising waters in Edgartown.
Whaling Church colors.
Whaling Church colors.
Blue.
Blue.
So far the Vineyard winter has been manageable – hardly mild, but certainly less intimidating than some in recent memory. There's been snow, but not a great deal. There's been some bitter cold, but a New England winter would seem a cheat if it lacked all bite. Our satisfaction now is that the days are beginning to lengthen, and by more than a minute or two. Nights still are longer, but the annual triumph of light is beginning, and the perception alone can cause spirits to rise.