West Tisbury

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There’s always so much to do this time of year. Mike and I worked together around the property all weekend and, although we accomplished quite a lot, there seems still so much more to do. All the windows in the kitchen, dining room, and sunroom are washed, inside and out. The kitchen counters sparkle for a moment. Slipcovers are washed and replaced. The kitchen garden is mostly cut down and raked. So, too, the garden by the road. As I said, wistfully, to Mike last night, “Only 2.79 acres to go” (our property is 2.8).

Does that make me a half-full glass person or half-empty? Looking out the washed windows, marveling in their clarity, is an acknowledged pleasure. Still, 11 windows remain.

I think about the principles of feng shui, which are really common sense in many ways. Clarity, cleanliness, clearing out clutter and piles of unneeded stuff — it really does make one feel better. There has always been a family joke about my mother-in-law washing her lightbulbs. She swears it’s not true. Regardless, it does make the light brighter. It all feels like positive reinforcement, and I can’t wait to get back to work.

Special happy birthday wishes to Millie Gault and Rachel Salop. They both celebrate on October 27. Millie is looking forward to the arrival of her son, Richard, who is coming from Virginia to join the family for the big occasion. Rachel’s parents, Alex and Kate, had a party with Rachel’s friends last weekend at their home in Connecticut, news courtesy of Grandpa Bob of Tiah’s Cove Road.

Scarecrows are appearing all around town, courtesy of the Charter School kids. The West Tisbury Library will hold their Halloween party on Sunday, October 31, 3:30 to 5 pm. It will feature hayrides, crafts, yummy treats (the library staff is requesting extra snacks, sweet or savory.) Dress yourself up in a fanciful costume and come to the party.

Park and Rec’s party will follow at the Ag Hall from 6 to 8 pm Halloween evening.

The Library Foundation’s Speakeasy Series begins this week, with Geraldine Brooks as the featured author. Three evenings are planned, all at State Road Restaurant. If you missed the first (it was the 26th,) tickets are still available for individual programs at $125 each. Besides meeting the author, there will be delicious food and an erudite crowd. Upcoming evenings are November 29 with Tony Horwitz and January 4 with Fanny Howe and Jennifer Tseng. Call Carol Brush, 508-693-3489, to reserve your space.

Meanwhile, enjoy a concert at the library this Friday, October 28. The JC Jazz Trio will perform at 4 pm.

There will be a memorial celebration of the life of Ozzie Fischer this Saturday afternoon, October 29, 1 to 4 pm, at the Ag Hall. Friends are asked to bring stories and a potluck dish to share.

Deborah Mayhew and Todd Follansbee are becoming West Tisbury’s jet-setting couple, as they accompany Katie Mayhew to her singing engagements. They recently returned from London and plan to head to California next. Katie will be performing to benefit the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Cerina Gordon was one of the students representing Martha’s Vineyard Youth Leadership Initiative at the 7th Annual Connecting for Change: A Bioneers by the Bay Conference presented by the Marion Institute. Cerina became interested in studying rivers as a result of the programs she attended. One hundred presenters spoke at 50 workshops, topics ranging from environmental and social justice, health and healing, spirituality, sustainability, green businesses, and science.

West Tisbury selectmen invite the public to a hearing on the issue of beer and wine sales in town. You may remember this was on the warrant at our last annual town meeting. The hearing will take place on November 2, 5 pm, at the Howes House.

“Because silence is still golden — even at the West Tisbury Library,” says Jennifer Tseng, announcing a series of silent film classics as November’s Monday Night Movies. Popcorn is served at 7 pm. Come and enjoy the movies and the company of fellow film buffs. “Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans” will be shown on November 7. Up-coming films include “The Passion of Joan of Arc,” “City Lights,” and “The Blue Angel.”

David Murphy is preparing a lecture and slide program of work by his father, artist Stan Murphy. It will be shown on Stan’s birthday, April 2, at the Grange Hall.

I picked a bouquet of Empress of India nasturtiums, maybe the last of the summer. Orange-red flowers and blue-green leaves. I plant them late so they continue after the first nasturtiums are gone, blooming bravely despite falling temperatures and shorter days. They sit on the table in front of me, tightly clustered in an olive-colored ceramic pot I bought from Nancy Cramer several years ago. A subject for a painting and a reminder of summer.