KATHIE CASE

508-627-5349

(kathleencase@comcast.net)

This is the time of year we all want to settle down to our winter’s nap. All the lights are down, the Christmas trees are out side, and all the toys and presents are away. So now it is time to rest up, as spring is just around the corner.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Kylee Willoughby who celebrated January 1, Jacob Lewis Jan. 2, Emily Gazzaniga Jan. 3, Michael Habekost and Matthew Morris Jan. 4, Gina Chick Jan. 5, Mikaela Lawson Jan. 6, and to Jacob Pertile who celebrated Jan. 7.

Special wishes go out to the new year’s babies of years past, Tom Sharkey and Glen Searle, and special wishes to Mary Ellen Kresel, Jan. 10, and Kathryn Bettencourt on Jan. 11.

Ralph took care of a friend’s dog over Christmas, and I would go with him while he fed the animals. On our way home down the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, we were taking in the last of the sunset and noticed the light on top of the Whaling Church steeple and thought about the whaling captains and how welcome that light must have looked after being away from home for months. We all take our little Island for granted sometimes. I like to think back about the town and what it was like in those days when the boats would bring in supplies and people would travel down from up Island to get them; it took three days to get to Edgartown from Gay Head and now it is only 25 minutes on a good day. (I’m not sure of the speed limit on some roads, so maybe longer.) It was fun to think about and you could only wish that the steeple could tell some of its stories.

I left the Island last Sunday and the boat was filled with all kinds of people either leaving for school or leaving relatives they had visited for the holidays. I am an avid people-watcher and had much enjoyment watching parents lead their children up the ramp while carrying their new gifts. Parents with babies in baby carriers and people leading their dogs, or should I say the dogs leading their owners, down the aisles of the boat to get to that other dog who is sitting three ailses down, and the relief when the boat pulled into the dock and a portion of the trip was over.

There is not a lot of news this week, but I look forward to people e-mailing and telling about their winter trips or visitors. As I am away and leaving Ralph at the helm at home, I would appreciate it if you have news, please e-mail me. Thank you in advance for that.

Have a great week, and keep the home candles burning.