It’s been so warm that I thought I should take a look for my snowdrops. The earliest clump was up and blooming as of last week. I never remember seeing them before in December; my previous earliest sighting was Jan. 4. Don’t remember the year, but typically I don’t see them here until early February.
Then I drove along Music Street past the Cook house, where Tom Hodgson usually spots them the earliest in town, and there they were in full bloom. So I urge everyone who wants a bit of early spring to drive along Music Street and take a look. They are right along the roadside. I also looked at Louise Bessire’s on the Edgartown–West Tisbury Road, but her snowdrops remain prudently underground.
I guess it’s time to get outside to do some cleanup raking. There are lots of green tips already poking up, so I need to rake before they get any taller. My later snowdrops are still just green tips, but there are crocus and daffodil and leucojum all beginning to come up. Maybe I’ll clip some branches to force indoors, too.
Having said that, I’m not at all ready for an early spring. I still haven’t finished sending out Christmas cards, and have just begun thinking about my list of winter projects. The pile of new art books I got for Christmas needs to be thoroughly read and studied, and there are loads of new mysteries and novels at the library for cozy afternoons on my sofa. I want to have friends over for dinner before we all get too busy. I want to knit. I’m not at all ready for an early spring.
The whole Island has followed the birth and short life of Clayton Healy, son of Morningstar and J.J. My condolences to you and your families, and to so many people who are heartbroken with you. Clayton profoundly touched our Island. He was a beautiful boy.
There are several upcoming programs at the library. This Saturday afternoon at 4 there will be a reception for the artist of the month, Fan Ogilvie.
On Sunday afternoon at 4, there will be a free concert sponsored by the MVCMS. “Love, Lost and Found,” music by Bellini, Brahms, Fauré, Chausson, and Handel, featuring soprano Olivia deGeofroy and pianist David Rhoderick. Olivia, born in West Tisbury, a graduate of MVRHS and recipient of a Chamber Music Society scholarship, is currently a junior at Westminster Choir College. She is “pleased to present her debut voice recital in her hometown and delighted to collaborate with David Rhoderick.” David is choir and music director at the West Tisbury Church, and well-known to concertgoers across the Island.
There will be another concert at the library next Sunday, Jan. 15, also free and at 4 pm. Guitarists Al Schackman and Dan Waters will perform works that reflect their lifelong interest in Brazilian and Bossa Nova music. Dan grew up in Brazil, and often sings in Portuguese. He was given a guitar at age 8, has played ever since, and studied classical guitar at Wesleyan in the 1970s. Al represents the New York jazz scene. He began appearing in jazz clubs in the 1950s, was studio guitarist for Atlantic Records, toured with the Wynton Kelly Trio, and was lead guitarist for jazz greats including Dinah Washington, Nina Simone, and Harry Belafonte.
“Writers Read” their original short prose at the library on Monday, Jan. 11, at 7 pm. Fiction and nonfiction writers are welcome. Call 508-693-4307 to sign up for a spot.
“Tweed’s Reads” group will meet at the library on Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 10 am. Get ready for the discussion by reading “Scott and Amundsen: The Race to the South Pole,” by Roland Huntford. It’s available at the library.
Ann Burt will celebrate her 80th birthday on Jan. 9. She is thrilled. She also doesn’t look anywhere near 80. It doesn’t seem that long ago that Ann was walking back and forth from her house to the new post office every morning to pick up her mail. Ann’s daughter, Prudy, suggested that friends might send Ann a card at P.O. Box 105, West Tisbury. We should all wish her a happy birthday when we see her around town.
It’s always fun to pick up the New York Times and recognize a West Tisbury connection. I was reading in last Friday’s Art section a notice that the Portland Museum of Art in Maine has acquired a Winslow Homer painting for their already extensive collection of Homer’s work. “An Open Window” was painted in 1872, one of four oils Homer painted that year of a woman looking out a window. Previously, the museum didn’t own an interior scene by Homer. It also serves as a bridge in time between Homer’s early work from the 1860s and the bulk of the museum’s collection, representing the 1880s and ’90s. The article included several quotes by museum director Mark Bessire, son of Louise and the late Henry Bessire.
If you get to Edgartown, take a look at the pottery exhibition at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. There are several pieces and some written information about West Tisbury potters and potteries. Makonikey Pottery was known for pieces that were unglazed, brick-colored, often with incised, abstract designs, made by Andreas Andreassin between 1900 and 1910. Martha’s Vineyard Pottery was started in 1950 by Tom Thatcher and his dog, Dusty. Tom was joined in the summer of 1953 by friends Mary Grabill and June Taylor, who marked their pottery “Graylor MV.” There’s lots to see and learn about pottery made here on the Island, different techniques, native clays and how they were used, collections of shards, and import china brought back by traveling merchants. Something to do on a chilly day, and then you can have lunch in town.
Mike is home for lunch, watching the weather on television. We might get 1 to 3 inches of snow tonight, beginning late this afternoon. I’m writing this on Monday. The sky looks pale gray and cold. A snow sky. Oh, boy!
