I have spent most of the morning admiring the snow-draped trees and shrubbery outside my window. The sky has changed over the morning from a glowing peach to bright sky blue and now to a pale yellow-gray. It is mesmerizingly beautiful.
All this from my “home office”: Having a laptop computer changed my life for the better. My office is the sofa in our living room, surrounded by windows, a cozy quilt, a dog (sometimes two), and a cat atop the quilt in varying configurations. The back of the sofa serves as a desktop for my dictionary, my notebook, telephone book, phone — my reference library — all I need to write this weekly column. My biggest difficulty is having the cat occasionally decide that the keyboard of my computer is the ideal spot for his nap. I suppose looking at the view is a distraction, but such a lovely one it is hard to consider it in any negative way. Observation is never wasted.
I ran into Don Sibley last week and told him how sad I was that Vineyard Electronics was closing. Vineyard Electronics was almost an annex of West Tisbury, a place where one could cheerfully discuss the latest town politics as well as buying a new telephone or television or getting help operating a troublesome device. It was my husband’s home away from home, besides Alley’s front porch, and Mike had already been there to convey his condolences to Linda. He is decidedly down in the mouth, and I have spent much of the past two weeks listening to his complaints and concerns about where he will go for batteries, gadgets, advice, and news. I wish Linda and Don all the best in whatever they decide to do next. Simon Bollin and Brett Rose, too. They have all been an important part of the life of the island.
Condolences of a human sort for so many people our Island community has lost this past week or so. I didn’t know Lynn Friis or her family, but have heard of her in so many regards from friends in town. David Kish and Mariko Kawaguchi are mourning the death of David’s mother, Danielle. Hugh MacInness, who died so unexpectedly, was my friend Debbie’s husband, a grand and gifted gentleman. And Lillian Kellman. Listening to her tell a story, watching the faces of the children listening around her, is a memory I shall always cherish.
Cathy Walthers, author of “Soups + Sides,” “Raising the Salad Bar,” and “Kale, Glorious Kale,” will begin a series of cooking classes at her West Tisbury home. The first is this Saturday, Jan. 23, from 11 to 2 o’clock. It is called “Stocking Up for Winter: Soups, Stocks, and Broth.” Participants will learn to make healthy soups with vegetables, grains, beans, and chicken or beef. Lunch is included. Take a look at her website and contact her at catherinewalthers.com.
I had an email from Felix Neck with a listing of all the wonderful programs they have this winter for children and adults, everything from a weekly Nursery School Naturalists to looking for owls in the night sky, recognizing tracks of animals, observing changes as the light and landscape turn into spring (not till March). There are special events planned for school vacations. Information is on their website: massaudubon.org.
If you want to really get away, look into Marsha Winsryg’s trips to Florence, Italy, beginning this March. All her trips benefit the African charities she is devoted to. Contact Marsha at info@aacdpafrica.org or 508-693-4059.
Town Clerk Tara Whiting wants everyone to know that nomination papers for the upcoming town elections this spring are available in her office at Town Hall. They will be due back to her by Feb. 24 with the required minimum of 20 signatures. She will gladly explain it all when you see her. There are lots of possibilities for everyone to get involved with our town government, both elected and appointed positions. David Merry is retiring from the Board of Health, so speak to John Powers if you are interested in that position. There are also vacancies on Affordable Housing, Byways, Capital Improvements, Conservation, Island Housing Trust, Mill Brook Watershed, Energy, and Personnel. And contested races are not unheard of in West Tisbury.
Tara also said the last day to register to vote in the Super Tuesday presidential primaries is Feb. 10. Super Tuesday is March 1. She is reachable at 508-696-0148, townclerk@westtisbury-ma.gov, and in her office at Town Hall, Monday through Friday between 8:30 and 1:30.
Joanne Scott gave one of her fabulous wintertime Sunday afternoon tea parties for Marie-Louise Rouff’s birthday. Chocolate cake and good friends. Many good wishes to Marie-Louise. She was heading home for another birthday party with her husband, Paul Levine, and family.
West Tisbury library programs this week are:
Saturday, Jan. 23, 4 to 5 pm, Fan Ogilvie will read from her latest book of poetry, “Easinesses Found.”
Sunday, Jan. 24 and 31, 2 to 5 pm, M.V. Teens Write for Radio, short story writing with Lara O’Brien. Then they will work with Laurel Reddington of MVY Radio to record and feature their stories on our own radio station.
Monday, Jan. 25, 5 pm, Up-Island Voices, a place for students of all ages to read their works of fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. Everyone is invited to read or listen. Preregister with Annamarie Ralph: aralph@vvyps.org.
Thursday, Jan. 28, 6 to 7:30 pm, Liz Witham and Ken Wentworth present three short documentary films from their “Sustainable Vineyard” documentary series.
The sky has changed again, to a sunny blue with puffy clouds. Mike is home for lunch, making tea for us in the kitchen, feeding biscuits to Talley and Nan. I can’t wait to hear about his morning.