Scenes From Martha's Vineyard: December 2018
It's well known that Daisy is a party animal.
It's well known that Daisy is a party animal.
Pond's edge during morning freeze.
Pond's edge during morning freeze.
Glass-like surface of Lagoon Pond at Shellfish Hatchery dock.
Glass-like surface of Lagoon Pond at Shellfish Hatchery dock.
Shenandoah on her winter's rest in December.
Shenandoah on her winter's rest in December.
Quiet time on Christmas Eve on Lucy Vincent Beach.
Quiet time on Christmas Eve on Lucy Vincent Beach.
Cottage City skyline.
Cottage City skyline.
Jay Lagemann's swordfish harpoooner stood in for Santa in Menemsha.
Jay Lagemann's swordfish harpoooner stood in for Santa in Menemsha.
Morning sun at Tisbury Wharf.
Morning sun at Tisbury Wharf.
Martha's Vineyard Museum tree lights up the Lagoon.
Martha's Vineyard Museum tree lights up the Lagoon.
Seasonal wonderment on Alley's porch.
Seasonal wonderment on Alley's porch.
Inkwell jetty in December water.
Inkwell jetty in December water.
You never know who you will run into for breakfast at the Art Cliff Diner.
You never know who you will run into for breakfast at the Art Cliff Diner.
West Chop Lighthouse has guided mariners since 1891.
West Chop Lighthouse has guided mariners since 1891.
Mums barely holding on during fall's waning days.
Mums barely holding on during fall's waning days.
Calm waters in the Oak Bluffs harbor.
Calm waters in the Oak Bluffs harbor.
Work continues at the Edgartown Yacht Club through December.
Work continues at the Edgartown Yacht Club through December.
Foggy morning on Menemsha Pond.
Foggy morning on Menemsha Pond.
Miles Sprague, Olivia McCormick, and Hannah McCormick are ready to start decorating.
Miles Sprague, Olivia McCormick, and Hannah McCormick are ready to start decorating.
Winter tree against December sky.
Winter tree against December sky.
Lighting up the holiday at Donaroma's Twelve Days of Christmas.
Lighting up the holiday at Donaroma's Twelve Days of Christmas.
Cold temps and wind along Menemsha's north shore.
Cold temps and wind along Menemsha's north shore.
Bringing the conch traps in to Edgartown harbor.
Bringing the conch traps in to Edgartown harbor.
Silent night at Ocean Park's bandstand.
Silent night at Ocean Park's bandstand.
Seating is available on Causeway avenue in Vineyard Haven.
Seating is available on Causeway avenue in Vineyard Haven.
Swans navigate icy waters at Long Point.
Swans navigate icy waters at Long Point.
Think of winter not as a time of darkness but as a time of quiet pleasures. There will be snow and ice and bitter cold, to be sure, but there also will be days of crystalline sunshine and walks without another human soul in sight and long views through tree branches bare of leaves. An Island winter is a time of renewal while we wait for the true season of renewal to come.