Nature & Science
This is the season not of the witch but the razorbill. They have been seen from every side of the Vineyard and Chappaquiddick. Unlike their cousins the puffins, dovekies, murres, guillemots, murrelets and auklets that remain offshore except to breed, the razorbills will come into harbors, bays and estuaries that are less salty than the ocean to feed. Razorbills will also enjoy a bit of R& R on a breakwater in the sun. The waters around the Vineyard are full of sand lances (sand eels) and still even mackerel, and where there are fish there are razorbills.
A blender is a must when cooking for children. Violet’s friend, Cesca Robinson, joined us for supper recently. I served a pork, potato, and leek dish. Both girls loved it but each painstakingly picked out the leeks and left them in a tidy pile at the edge of the plate. I always puree vegetables I know Violet dislikes into sauces and soups. It obviously is a texture thing as opposed to taste. This past summer I blended several containers of zucchini, garlic, and onions. No one is the wiser when they are slipped into a spaghetti sauce.
Don't squash my enthusiasm.
Why shouldn’t I be excited about the last little bit of local produce in my pantry? Along with some remaining homegrown potatoes, garlic, frozen garden tomatoes and backyard-raised chickens, I am lucky to have a few Island-grown butternut squashes left.
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
Dec. 30 45 26 .00
Dec. 31 54 45 Trace
Jan. 1 55 37 .14
Jan. 2 52 43 .06
Jan. 3 47 28 .00
Jan. 4 36 13 .00
Jan. 5 33 16 .00
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 43º F.
The Ice Moon, the first full moon of the year, rises and dominates the eastern sky after sunset on Monday night. The moon is in the zodiacal constellation Gemini.
Here it is the first morning of another brand new year. So far I’ve eaten no sugar, cut no one off in traffic, had a positive and grateful attitude, and kept my opinions to myself. Of course, I haven’t left the house yet so we will see how it all works out.
Almanac
A comprehensive guide to weather and tides on the Island.
Vineyard Gardener
I guess this past week weather-wise is called a January thaw. We did not really experience it the last several years as December was unseasonably warm.
Farm & Field
Beige and brown and tan and black, with horns spiraled or semicircular or in undulating waves, a legion of goats marched up the hill toward us, bleating in anticipation of fresh grass and leaves.