By LYNNE IRONS

I was thinking about Thanksgiving all week and decided I would not talk about that memorable meal. Rather I devoted my mental time listing my gratitudes. I love the Henry Albert Hymn of 1844 “Come, ye Thankful People, come, raise the song of harvest home; All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin;” I have a wonderful life — a job I enjoy, a warm comfortable home, plenty to eat, thoughtful children, sweet grandchildren and good friends.

Today is fall festival, a traditional celebration at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown. Every year since 1980, the sanctuary has held a day-after Thanksgiving event which brings together strangers and friends, young and old to sip hot cider and participate in an array of family-friendly activities.

While other people are busy shopping and scurrying about with holiday errands, at Felix Neck there is a different kind of tradition for those who want to get outdoors and work off some of that turkey dinner.

The performance by Venus and Jupiter has probably gotten your attention. The two planets are close together and setting in the west, soon after the sun. The show gets even better in the nights ahead.

Temperature: Precip.

Day Max. Min. Inches.

Fº Fº

Nov. 14 61 48 .03

Nov. 15 63 56 .45

Nov. 16 64 53 .63

Nov. 17 54 40 .01

Nov. 18 49 37 Trace

Nov. 19 44 28 .00

Nov. 20 33 22 .00

Water temperature in Edgartown harbor: 49º F.

The week ahead offers perfect moonless nights. There is a New Moon on Thanksgiving, so for the coming week the moon resides only in the early morning sky.