West Tisbury

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Procrastination is my worst habit. Had I sat down at the computer Sunday evening, as I had planned to do, I would have seen the invitation from Leslie Baker to join her and Barbara Boden to paint at Quansoo this morning. My column would have already been written and I would be out painting in my favorite spot instead of sitting inside writing my column Monday morning, with a deadline looming. Nothing to do but make the best of it. Remember doing the Sunday Times crossword puzzle and enjoying the evening with Mike instead of working on the column. So many things to do. So many choices.

Anticipation of the Living Local Harvest Festival is probably the notable news around town. The sign is up outside the Ag Hall for the September 29 event. (Rain date is Sunday, the 30th.) Tents and corn stalks, lots of local food, games and crafts for kids, educational programs and displays, a registration table for ACE MV Fall classes, the pumpkin catapult, and George Hartman’s Antique Engine Show. All from 10 am to 3 pm.

Then come back at 6 pm for a potluck dinner. Bring your potluck dish, made from local ingredients, to serve at least six people. Also, your own cups and place settings. Carry in, carry out. And be ready to dance the night away. The Flying Elbows will be on hand, making good music and good fun.

As a prelude to the festival, the Ag Society and the FARM Institute have planned a program on Friday evening. David Fisher of Natural Roots CSA in Conway will speak and show slides of Natural Roots Farm, where he practices weed management, cover cropping, and crop culture, all using horse-drawn equipment and serving a 220 member CSA. Sounds fascinating. The program starts at 7 pm and is free of charge.

Don’t forget that the weekly Farmers’ Market will still be held at the Grange.

The J.C. Trio becomes The Duo, just for this week. Sans keyboard player Abbe Dreyer, Jay Clark and Bob Johnson will perform at the West Tisbury Library this Friday afternoon, September 28, at 4 pm. The jazz will still be wonderful American Songbook favorites, and I’m sure The Duo will do a fine job. Come and enjoy.

I ran into Eric Bates and his daughter, Phebe, the other day. Eric was walking with a new puppy. Their all black kitten, adopted at the beginning of the summer, had just been spayed. The puppy, named Zaphod, and Fiona the kitten, join senior dog, Willow, and Nancy Rogers at home. Willow is one of Karen Ogden’s star rally students, and I expect that Zaphod will be, too.

Tara Larsen sent me an email notice about a number of rescue dogs needing homes. They range from pups to older dogs, schnauzer-size to lab-size. All have been spayed or neutered, micro-chipped, and are up to date on their shots. Call the Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard at 508-627-4875.

The library has planned “Build a Fairy House” as the Saturday craft project next week, October 6. Some materials will be provided, but meanwhile, keep an eye out as you walk around your yard or the beach for special natural building materials to use yourself or to share. Some suggestions: bark, shells, seaweed, seed pods, sticks, carved-out pumpkins, feathers, fur, pine cones, moss, lichen, leaves, dried flowers or grasses. Use your eyes and your imaginations.

Happy Birthday wishes to Megan Mendenhall and Frank Flanders on September 29, and to Julie Kimball on September 30. Enjoy your day.

Mike and I had the best dinner Friday night, thick bass fillets caught by our neighbor, Tony Rezendes. Mike told me that Tony had just taken first place in the Derby, and quizzed me on who he might have displaced. It turned out to be his son, Dana. They have always had a good-natured rivalry over such things. Congratulations and thanks, Tony. The bass was delicious.