Island Light: Seasonal Change
Sun sets at Katama from the neverending shore of South Beach.
Sun sets at Katama from the neverending shore of South Beach.
Edgartown's historic Whaling Church in vivid contrast with blue skies.
Edgartown's historic Whaling Church in vivid contrast with blue skies.
Low tide in the Lagoon leaves this boat on the bottom.
Low tide in the Lagoon leaves this boat on the bottom.
Gnarled tree trunk rises in Chilmark.
Gnarled tree trunk rises in Chilmark.
Well-worn path to Lucy Vincent, although less used in November.
Well-worn path to Lucy Vincent, although less used in November.
Pulled from Menemsha Pond, but perhaps still a few trips out left in her this year.
Pulled from Menemsha Pond, but perhaps still a few trips out left in her this year.
Salt water pond moorings yet to be hauled for the season.
Salt water pond moorings yet to be hauled for the season.
Vanderhoop Homestead under gray skies in Aquinnah.
Vanderhoop Homestead under gray skies in Aquinnah.
Sun breaks through the clouds at the Gay Head Lighthouse.
Sun breaks through the clouds at the Gay Head Lighthouse.
Tattered jib is all that remains from summer sails.
Tattered jib is all that remains from summer sails.
End of the day at Menemsha harbor.
End of the day at Menemsha harbor.
Thanksgiving marks the end of one season and the beginning of another, but this year there is a distinct sense of procrastination about it all. Suddenly we are in no real hurry for winter with its hard freeze and slate-colored sea roughed up by whitecaps.
Nature agrees, and on the Vineyard autumn lingers like two lovers over coffee; no need to rush to the next appointment on the calendar. Lawns are still green, herb gardens redolent with rosemary. Nantucket Sound is navy blue and the salt ponds lie still in the evening hush with a thousand stars splashed overhead.
But now Thanksgiving has come and gone and still on Sunday the kitchen is strewn with leftovers: turkey for sandwiches and later soup, mashed potatoes and stuffing for a late-afternoon snack but first and foremost that stalwart best among New England traditions — pie for breakfast.