Saturday Morning Treasures

A quick stretch of the legs - and the mind - after spending most of the past five days with three babies all under the age of three - have loved every minute! not complaining! heaven! - but even grandmas need a break once in a while.

We have enjoyed at least as many days of perfect Vineyard September weather - an annual gift to islanders, I think, for having endured the (at times) oppressing heat, humidity, and crowds of summer, and this morning I found my usual route - down Main Street to the harbor - to be a study of serenity, with a healthy spattering of locals on hand, including fishermen (Mohawk Bolin, Mike Jackson), workers (Dennis Arnold), and wanderers in search of breakfast pastries (Barry Nevin, Marty Nadler).

It's always great to see old friends - and downtown is a little like old home week this time of year with lots of folks resurfacing now that it's safe to leave our houses - and especially great that we all have time to stop and talk to each other.






Edwina B.


Dennis, whose usual gig is South Beach, was helping out at Memorial Wharf this morning.


A fishy ice sculpture.


Mohawk, getting ready to head out "beyond cell-phone range" to do a little pleasure fishing, a welcome change from his usual break-neck commercial fishing routine.


Marty is back, after being off-island for the summer. I've missed Marty, but can you believe this guy has the nerve to flaunt his Circuit Avenue t-shirt on Edgartown's Main Street?

Prelude

Maybe it's because I spent the past ten years commuting every week between Edgartown and Brookline, or maybe it's because I woke up one day and realized that I have every single thing I need or want at home, but these days, I hardly care if I leave Edgartown ever again. I've never loved driving - much preferring walking or biking; seeing people face to face, taking in my surroundings while at the same time staying fit - and my aversion is even stronger now. Thankfully, living on Main Street, I can walk to just about everything. If it's not in Edgartown, I probably don't need it. And yes, I'm a throw-back to the days when Edgartown was Edgartown and Vineyard Haven was Vineyard Haven and rarely did the 'twain meet (except when it was time to head up to Brickman's for new school shoes). The one reality that I cannot change, however, is that the daily mass that is conducted one block from my house during July and August at St. Elizabeth's - which is so close that I can practically walk out my front door as the town clock begins ringing the nine o'clock hour and be in the pew before the last gong - switches over to the parish center in Oak Bluffs after Labor Day.

Oh well, I can't imagine there being a prettier fifteen-minute drive on one's way to pray anywhere in the universe than Beach Road between 7:30 and 8am - let's just call it preparation.




My beloved Bend-in-the-Road Beach.


The marshes and moors of Anthier's.

















Sarson's Island with Felix Neck beyond.


The Derby is on.





I have photographed this little boat, Cassandra, from many angles and in various lighting conditions. I'm not sure what attracts me to her. Maybe because she seems abandoned and alone and somewhat neglected; some days she seems on the verge of sinking; all of the above describing the way I feel sometimes.























Wooly beach heather.

A Quick, End-of-Day Study

Somehow, I've gone all summer without seeing Todd Bassett and the Magic Carpet. Probably because I've barely left my property, which suits me just fine during July and August. I love summer - the crowds and the energy; strange but true - but it's also nice to now have a little breathing room. I really must get out a little more before winter sets in.


Todd Basset, putting the Magic Carpet to bed for the night.


Apparently, I did not have the market cornered on photographing Todd and Lee and their magnificent classic wooden yawl.


Still life 1.


Still life 2.

Rainbow

A sweet rainbow over my sweet little town.

There's something so immediately poignant and perfect about stepping out of 5pm Sunday Mass and being greeted by a double rainbow, this being the second time in about a month this has happened - hello? - is someone trying to tell me something? This was the nicest and longest lasting double rainbow I've seen in a while. People were taking pictures all over the place, as if we've never seen a rainbow before. Well, each one is magic.

From Beach Road via mobile/Instagram.

Antsy

Feeling a little antsy, also wanting to enjoy Edgartown in the early morning hours - something I haven't done enough of this summer - I headed out for a fast-paced walk down to the lighthouse and back. Early morning Edgartown did not disappoint.

Still hoping to find the time to do a little more writing. In the meantime, I hope the photos will speak for themselves.



We're back to this, are we?





Freedom



































Here's one of the things I've been missing by not getting downtown early in the morning: Tom Haddad, holding court from his bench outside the paper store. This morning we had a lively conversation about history and religion. People like Tom, as well as Neal Condlin, whom I had encountered in front of the library and with whom I also had a great conversation, always make a walk through town very enjoyable and well worth the trip.


Does this woman look nervous? No? Well, she should - she's getting married today. Best wishes, Kara, and congratulations, Brad. Have a great day!

Irish Music in Edgartown

Every session is like a surprise party, in a way. I knew that Arnie and Emily were coming over from the Cape, Mike was already here, and I also knew that Susie would be coming, but beyond that, anything could happen - and often does - and that's the fun of a session, especially on the Vineyard in the summer...more, plus photos, here.

My Garden