The sun is shining, but it is still cold, and the wind is still blowing. I am not complaining because it is winter, but we have been so spoiled with warmer temperatures that it makes the cold seem colder. I hope, however, that you all got to see the full moon this past weekend that was so bright in the cold winter sky.

Happy Birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Jamily Dias and Brody Scott who celebrated Jan. 12; Mya Smith, Charles Bettencourt, Jan. 13; Haily Waters, Jan. 14; Enzo Duarte, Jan. 15; Danika Peters, Amélie Rossi, Jan. 16; and to Emily Barbosa who celebrates her day Jan. 17.

Congratulations to our new Edgartown police vhief, Chris Dolby, an Edgartown kid, born and raised. He studied hard and worked his ways through the ranks and now has the top job. As he said in his acceptance speech, “This is the heaviest badge he has worn.” He will wear it well and he has a town of people behind him.

Last weekend, we had temperatures almost in the 40s and I can say it was almost balmy. We were happy not to have to wear scarves and gloves. As I took the dog for our walk, I noticed the Jamaican men who play soccer at the school fields spring through fall, enjoying a mid-winter game.

I took a ride around Starbuck Neck the other day and, as always, the lighthouse was a perfect picture against the blue sky and the water that looked very cold. There was one scallop boat going out late, and as it passed the lighthouse you could just see another one coming in.

I scalloped when I was younger and it was an experience I will not forget. It was early morning rising, which I did not mind, but I was not a boat person, and for me no boat was big enough to go to and from the gut and work. I did not mind the culling or the seaweed and whatever else came up in the drag, but the getting from here to there was not for me. So, I marvel at all those who make that trip every day.

My favorite part of scalloping was dropping the scallops off at Dot Thomas’s house who had a culling shack in the back yard from the days her husband Auggie went scalloping. Her sister Anna Mederios would come over and help get the stove started and the water boiling to wash down the shack and help warm cold hands. We would drop off the scallops and go home to change, and by the time we got back the two of them were talking away and scallops flying out of the shells into the bowls. It was a sight to see, they never missed a beat. They were so fast and loved every minute of their time together.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.