A short column this week, as I spent most of the weekend on the sofa nursing a cold instead of being out attending all the wonderful parties around town.
Mike got me up for a short outing to the L and W Tree Farm to cut our Christmas tree. I saw “the perfect tree” as we drove in, and that was the one we came home with. Danny and Norman were surprised at how little time we took. There were several “perfect tree” possibilities if you haven’t picked yours out yet. L and W are open on weekends, so look for the sign on the Ag Hall side of the Panhandle. They have saws, but you might want to bring gloves.
We chose a traditional Island cedar for our tree, small enough to fit on a table in our sunroom with only unbreakable, Nelson-proof ornaments. I miss the big trees Mike and I always had until Nelson came into our lives. The little tree is certainly less work. It’s on the porch now awaiting Christmas Eve, when I plan to bring it in and decorate it.
Everyone I have told about Nelson’s predilection for trouble has had a story. Cats knocking over trees, peering out from within at eye level, batting ornaments across the floor. All seem to be common occurrences in households across the Island. None of our other cats ever seemed to bother the tree, or bother much of anything. Nelson is a law unto himself.
By the way, he appears in many of Lynn Christoffers’ 2016 Cat Calendars. Each one is different. I bought several at the little holiday shop behind Alley’s. There are lots of West Tisbury cats depicted: Betty of Elias Lane is Betty Baker Gorenberg; Dick Knabel’s Suzette and Brulee of Panhandle Road; Sue Hruby’s Rosie; Cynthia and Howie Attebery’s Daphne; Lynn’s own cat Lady Diana; and Phyllis Meras’ handsome Vercingetorix. As I said, every calendar is different. Mine all feature Nelson of West Tisbury, and will be Christmas presents for many on my list.
Norman and Kathy Lobb have the best news. I am printing it verbatim, as Kathy wrote so beautifully. “I wanted to let you know Norman and I just returned from Huntington, Vt., where we visited with our new granddaughter, Skylar Sage Quesnel. Her proud parents are Dee & Doug. We also stopped by Rouses Point to visit with Amanda & Roger … This has been an incredible fall. I think we had better foliage than up north, especially the Edgartown–West Tisbury Road with the sun streaming through the leaves.” Thrilled about Skylar, and can’t wait to meet her when she’s in town.
Other wonderful news was seeing Galya Walt, home from her studies in Israel to visit her parents, Rabbi Caryn Broitman and Rabbi Brian Walt, for Hanukkah. Galya has already returned to Israel, but it was a treat to see her and to see the happy look on her mother’s face.
The First Congregational Church of West Tisbury is having a Christmas Concert this Sunday, Dec. 20, at 4 o’clock. David Rhoderick, Molly Canole, and the church choir will be joined by the newly formed Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Orchestra for a fanfare and familiar carols. The centerpiece will be “Christmas Story” by Heinrich Schütz. The concert is free, but a $15 suggested donation will help maintain the church’s building and mission. Doors open at 3:30 and a reception will follow the concert.
Then next week will be the traditional Christmas Eve services. The Christmas Pageant at the Ag Hall will begin at 5 o’clock. At 10, the Christmas Eve candlelight service will take place at the church. Come early for both.
The West Tisbury library Lego Club will meet this Saturday, Dec. 19, from 2:30 to 4:30. On Sunday afternoon at 3, poets Sian Williams and Michael G. West will read from their work. A family movie, “Minions,” will be shown on Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 1 pm. The programs are free, and so is the popcorn.
I looked on Facebook at pictures from Katherine Long’s solstice party that I missed on Sunday. Her new great-grandson, Julian, looked on the festivities from his mother’s lap or from a carrier on his father’s chest. Mariko Kawaguchi’s flowers were beautiful, as always, and Katherine’s house was decorated with lights and tables full of the most delicious food. I’m sure everyone I know was there, and I am disappointed to have missed it, especially David Steere’s venison meatloaf.