The light lingers well past five o'clock now, and the late day sky is streaked with fuchsia punctuated by scudding, slate-colored clouds. The small, familiar front page advertisement from the Sun Dog store in Edgartown remind us that it's only so many days until spring, and the strengthening sunlight is an ever-present reminder as well.

In Island homes colorful geraniums bloom in south and west-facing windows, straining against the glass as if listening for the sounds of summer. What we hear instead is the shrill winter wind — salty, full of bite and reminding those outdoors that scarves and mittens are still required accessories for walking.

This is February on the Vineyard.