Nature & Science
Ben Franklin was chockful of advice; in one famous saying, he encouraged behavior that would make us healthy, wealthy and wise.
Early to bed and early to rise is not the only way to get there. One could alternately seek out the water-loving plant, horsetail, which fills the bill on all three counts.
Temperature: Precip.
Day Max. Min. Inches.
Fº Fº
May 6 60 42 .00
May 7 66 51 .00
May 8 65 46 .00
May 9 59 49 .00
May 10 62 47 .03
May 11 52 47 .01
May 12 58 48 Trace
Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 55º F.
The ringed planet, Saturn, is easy to spot rising in the eastern sky after sunset tonight, near the gibbous moon. The planet resides in the zodiacal constellation Virgo. Saturn has resided in the constellation for almost two years. Saturn is not far from the bright blueish star Spica, the brightest star in Virgo.
One of the best ways to support conservation education on Martha’s Vineyard is about to happen just as you are reading this. The statewide Birdathon begins at 6 p.m. today and runs until the same hour tomorrow. A number of teams will fan out all over the state, but the one that matters to us is the Felix Neck team. Groups will search the Island to find as many species of birds as they can. Anyone can support their efforts by pledging a certain amount per species found. Last year a new record was set of 132 species, but if the weather is favorable we could do even better this year. Pledges can be any amount, from a nickel or dime per species to a dollar or so for those feeling generous. Any amount is welcome. And to make it easy, you can call Felix Neck at 508-627-4850 and leave your pledge, or even easier for many, go online to firstgiving.com/fundraiser/suzan-bellincampi/1/team and make your pledge there. This is a great way to support our own local Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary and its fine programs. Get involved. Give those field observers an incentive to work even harder. Call or go online today.
Life is full of contradictions. So are plants.
Vinca, that evergreen vining groundcover that is currently blooming with blue-purple flowers, is a case in point.
This plant has been described as “moderately” invasive, is recommended as a sexual stimulant and also is known to be a portent of death; it is offered up as a healer and yet is known to kill. One must weave through the tangle of incongruities to discern the truth of this twining creeper.
Green Gathering
When going green it’s not enough to just think green. You have to drink green, eat green, talk green and, perhaps most importantly, get like grapes by going green in bunches.
And how to do this exactly? By showing up at the gathering of the green on Friday, May 20 at the Island Cohousing Commonhouse, 17 Rock Pond Road in West Tisbury.
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.