What a winter we are having.
I had mixed feelings, as the snowstorm we were promised for the second weekend in a row turned out to be nothing more than light flakes blowing past the windows. Folks of a certain age have memories of weekly snowfalls that rose over our heads and canceled school. Those were real winters. But being practical, I was grateful that Mike wouldn’t be out shoveling and snowblowing for another week.
The Jan. 25 Book Review section of the Sunday New York Times had a lovely essay by Elisabeth Egan titled “Snow Daze.” It was about beloved children’s books of snowfalls and snowmen, the magic and mystery of snow. Some titles are familiar. “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats. “Katy and the Big Snow” by Virginia Lee Burton. “The Snowman” by Jim Erskine and Raymond Briggs. “Snow” by Uri Shulevitz. Then there are books I have never heard of or read — so many to explore. “Snowflake Bentley” by Jacqueline Briggs Martin sounds most fascinating, the story of a man who spent his life photographing snowflakes. I need a trip to the library.
While there, I am eager to see the rug-hooking exhibition in the Program Room that is February’s art show. Seeing the talents of our neighbors and friends amazes me, and the exhibitions of rugs and quilts are among my favorites.
Especially nice is sitting in that room with art on the walls and listening to live music. This Saturday at 3:30, David Mintz will perform show music and popular songs from the 1930s and 1940s, all my favorites: Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern. The Second Sunday Jazz Concert will begin on Sunday afternoon at 2, featuring Eric Johnson, Jeremy Berlin, and Tauras Biskis.
If you are feeling housebound and in need of company, there are community suppers around the Island every night of the week. The West Tisbury Church has dinners for pickup on Wednesdays between 4 and 5 o’clock. Registration is required. Call 508-693-2842. Stillpoint is offering free community suppers Sunday evenings through the month of February. Dinner is served between 5:30 and 8 o’clock. Betsy Carnie is the chef. She uses ingredients from local farms and grocers. Willy Mason and friends provide the music. They have vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, and alpha-gal-friendly recipes. Preregister or volunteer at deb@stillpointmv.org. Take a look online to find out where to get dinner other nights.
West Tisbury parks and rec is planning a free family skate at the M.V. arena from 11 to noon on Feb. 28. Plan ahead. More details to follow.
Kathy Logue brought her dog, Finley, over for a visit with Abby on Saturday afternoon. They have been friends since they were puppies, and had a grand time chasing each other around the yard, wearing each other out. They were eventually allowed inside, where they both fell to the floor for a rest by our feet.