The coloring of the trees in fall always surprises me, the same way it does when leaves appear, apparently overnight, every spring. There are big maples along our road on a rise near the Cleaveland House where the colors show the earliest, no matter the season.
There are always places like that, where I watch the seasons turn. The Mill Pond is one. The marsh that was Parsonage Pond and the sloping lawn and woodland to either side. Doane’s field along New Lane, and Linda Alley’s crabapple tree. Driving along Middle Road you see the island of beetlebung trees and Murphy’s Pond; almost across the road is the winterberry bush on the corner of Caitlin Jones and Allen Healy’s house. Our morning walk along the Great Pond, where the water and big skies change, too.
Most of all, I watch my woods. Every morning and through the day I can always interest myself in a walk around the property, or just looking out the windows. Our house has windows all along the south side, and our sofa sits under three banked six-over-six windows to the west. The views are daily paintings where the light changes, the colors change, even the shapes change as trees grow or are knocked over in a storm. No matter what, I never tire of those views, and never forget to feel grateful for them.
I was thinking about this a few moments ago, after someone called with a survey about solar energy. She wanted to know if we have solar panels. “We don’t,” I told her, “but we built our house for passive solar, oriented to the south with brick floors in those rooms. It works beautifully, and I don’t understand why it isn’t encouraged or even mentioned by energy advocates or in zoning and building plans for new construction. It’s easy to do and totally free, just a matter of planning.” At that point, she graciously agreed that it was a good point and she would bring it up at their next meeting. Maybe she was humoring an old lady (or not so old lady), but it does make common sense, and doesn’t involve buying more expensive materials or equipment. Or anything. That said, I have become so opinionated.
I hope Sue Hruby and Cape Light Compact will forgive my comments in the previous paragraph, as now I tell you about Cape Light’s new smartphone app for customers to monitor the power being generated by their solar voltaic or small residential wind systems in real time. It also tracks home energy use, allowing consumers to be more aware of how they use energy and how to conserve and save money. Qualified customers will receive free software, hardware, and professional installation. Eligibility requirements are for homeowners or small business customers to live or have their business on the Cape or Island, have an active Eversource account with more than six months’ usage per year, access to their electric meter, willingness to have a monitor installed on it, and a WiFi router that is always on. There is no cost to participate. For more information, look on the website capelightcompact.org/smart or call 800-797-6699.
The Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard will hold its fourth annual Walk for the Animals this Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 to noon. Meet at the West Tisbury School. Participants may walk with or without pets, and are asked to get pledges for their walk. Registration forms are online at animalshelterofmv.org, or available at the shelter. Take a moment to appreciate the posters for the event that you see around the Island. They were all created by West Tisbury School students in Lisa Magnarelli’s art classes.
Coincidentally, or maybe not, October is American Humane Association Adopt-a-Dog Month. It was established in 1981 to encourage pet lovers to adopt a shelter or rescue dog, to consider volunteering at or donating to your local shelter, and to raise awareness that millions of animals are in shelters and needing “forever” loving homes. Millions. According to Dr. Karen Becker’s website, where I read about this, 3 to 4 million dogs are euthanized every year. Millions.
The first Winter Farmers Market of the season is this Saturday, 10 to 1, at the Ag Hall. Twenty-four vendors will be there, including for the first time MV Smokehouse, with the smoked bluefish and bluefish pâte that were huge hits at the summer market. Little Rock Farm will provide breakfast sandwiches, hot lunch, coffee, and tea. Kevin Keady will provide the music. The Winter Markets have such a relaxed feel compared to the frenetic Summer Markets. Time to visit with friends and neighbors. It’s always good.
At the West Tisbury library this Saturday, Julie Prazich and Sara Rosenthal invite folks ages 9 and up to paint a wooden fish (or two) to decorate their own homes. Basic materials will be provided for free. Fish painting begins at 2:30. At 5 there will be an artist’s reception for Julie, whose work is on exhibit in the Program Room through the month of October.
Tweed’s Reads Reading Group will meet at the library on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 10 am. Books being discussed are “Gray Seas Under” by Farley Mowat and “Up in the Old Hotel” by Joseph Mitchell. The group meets the third Wednesday of the month. Pick up a reading list at the library.
I can hardly wait for next Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18, at 5 o’clock, to hear Geraldine Brooks read and talk about her latest book, “The Secret Chord.” It’s a novel about the biblical King David. The program will be at the Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center.
Blue Cullen stopped by yesterday afternoon, dressed to the nines, on her way to Charlotte Goeckel’s first birthday party. Charlotte is the granddaughter of Alan and Chele Reekie.
What a surprise to drive out of my driveway last Tuesday and see the new sign across the street at the firehouse. It’s actually the recycled old sign that was taken down at Station 2, when the Police Department moved in and had to be included there. It works perfectly for our station, and looks very important. Thanks to Chief Estrella, Jesse Oliver, and John Cotterill.