All it takes is a couple of days of mighty wind to open up the sky and blanket our yard with a pumpkin spice comforter. We have declared no raking and no leaf-blowing on our lawn to shelter the homeless bugs and rodents from winter’s wrath. And it gives me something to kick up while walking between the house and the car. Look out bug, if you’re under there.

What’s more, “Don’t forget to set your clocks from sunshine and happiness back to misery and despair,” opined a meme on social media one day last week. We have a clock that tells the correct time but insists on changing over to the new hours 48 hours later than it should. Consistently and faithfully, two days late. Can anyone explain this to me?

I dreaded November growing up in Canada. It was cold and raw, windy and dark, with few reasons for joy until the snow arrived later in the month. You could depend on the snow, which brightened everything. And if you’re a kid, snow has many practical uses.

We don’t dare hope for snow on Martha’s Vineyard in November. The month is much too early and there is a lot going on to distract us from the darkness. Before long we will be planning the big Thanksgiving feast and immediately after, stringing up lights to also defer the darkness. Praises be for electricity.

The annual Barn Raisers Ball takes place at the Agricultural Hall this Saturday, Nov. 8. Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish will provide the dance music. This is the 31st annual party to celebrate the volunteers who helped erect that very hall. I hope some of the original crew are still kicking up their heels on the dance floor.

Something new coming to the Grange Hall is Grange Fest, which will offer music, food, art, contra dancing and more on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

You are invited to pick your own cranberries at the Cranberry Acres bog most days between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Contact the Vineyard Open Land Foundation for details.

The library is collecting Halloween costumes to be distributed 11 months from now.

Friday Night Forum is a discussion group, led by a professional facilitator, at Stillpoint each week. The topic Nov. 7 is “Where are we with offshore wind.” Here is an opportunity to express your opinions, even your outrage.

There is news from town hall. The parking lot at Lambert’s Cove Beach is closed as of Monday, Nov. 10, for a couple of weeks while the fire department installs a tank. The beach itself is open, and may be accessed through the neighboring Land Bank property or Sheriff’s Meadow.

Schools and government buildings will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 11, for veterans day.

Welcome home to Leah Smith, who has been immersed in the Renaissance arts, culture and cuisine of Florence, Italy.

Tristan Israel has been enjoying a relaxing vacation in Turkey, visiting an old friend who lives there. 

Celebrating their birthdays this week are Binnie Ravitch on Monday, Nov. 10, Scarlet Johnson on Tuesday, Nov. 11 and Thomas Mayhew on Thursday, Nov. 13.

Congratulations and happy anniversary to Nicole Alley and Arsen Hambardzumian on Wednesday, Nov. 12.