What a week. It started with snow drifts topping 20 inches. Temperatures dropping to the low teens, low enough to turn the sea near the shore to slush, and coat boulders with thick layers of ice and snow. And it ended with large clumps of snow dotting roads, and high winds blowing what was a mere dusting of snow into 10-inch-deep drifts across the driveway, a beautiful full moon reflecting off the iced-over snow covering the ground, and more shoveling.
Years ago I realized that tall insulated boots, ankle-length suede skirts, a well -nsulated parka, shearling hat, and knitted wool gloves will keep me warm outside even if they get wet.
Curtains hang over unused doors to the outside.
Flannel sheets and four layers of heavy, soft, napped wool blankets cover the bed tucked next to the warmed-by-the-woodstove chimney bricks in the otherwise unheated attic bedroom. It is hard to sleep in hot rooms, and delightful to snuggle under covers in a refreshingly crisp room.
Grateful to have a roof over my head, indoor plumbing, a kitchen with hot water, heat, and food on the shelves and in the fridge — soups and eggs from North Tabor Farm.
Grateful to the Chilmark Community Church for the community suppers Tuesday nights.
Last Tuesday, our houseless friend, Will Steranka, died in his car. He was reserved and had a gentle laugh. He loved candy, desserts, pizza, and evenings of music at Pathways.
I don’t know his story, but I enjoyed the easy rhythm of friendship that develops around a dinner table when we come as we are, and for that moment just enjoy good food and company without the weight of expectations or worries.
I developed the habit of slowing where Tabor House and North Road meet to see if he needed a ride. Folks cared and checked in.
Kristen, his daughter, called to let us know she’s thankful for everybody who was kind to him, and hopes to do a memorial service at the end of May.
Harry Beach reported that the rufous hummingbird, Rufina, the miracle bird that first visited on Dec. 13, has not been seen at their heated feeder since Wednesday afternoon.
May their memories become a blessing.
Grateful to all of the musicians and poets; sorry we had to cancel the first Sunday in February Offering of Music and Light, and look forward to cooking for the next one on March 1.
The Chilmark Community Church suppers and Pathways events continue, and I will miss Will’s presence.
On Feb. 5, Julie Jaffe and Heather Sommers’ show, “Invasions,” goes up in the Chilmark library.
Though they work with different mediums and approaches, each artist interprets recent history in order to call attention to the atrocities and assault on world order and democratic norms.
These bodies of work remind us we are living in unprecedented times. And call us to unite in order to restore human decency and peace.
I was hoping there would be a picture of Will posted. So many of us who played at Pathways, or went to shows at Pathways, knew him from there and are sad and devastated about his death. So many others saw him but would not connect the name with the face.