This feels to me like the longest winter ever. Not because of the amount of snow we have had — hardly any and it has vanished quickly. Nor the depth of cold — the thermometer dipped to a record 9 below in 1961.

It is because there haven’t been any breaks. No January thaw. No February thaw. And it appears there won’t be a thaw before some time in March.

As a result, my Christmas greenery is still stuck in the earth out there by the front door. It is embarrassing, of course, but it least it is not obvious Christmas tchotchkes like reindeer or Santa, just realistic looking boughs of evergreens dotted with phony snow and glitter. And these artificial branches are mixed with nature’s own long-needled pine and holly and cedar from our yard.

Normally the plastic branches release their grip from the earth after one good tug around Saint Seraphin’s Day on Jan. 2, or at least Saint Gudula of Brabant’s Day on Jan. 8. King Arthur, where are you when I need you?

Maybe every winter feels like the longest around this time. I know I’ve never claimed: “Hey, that was the shortest winter evah.”

One sure sign that spring is on its way is the February school break next week. After Friday, there is no school again until March 3. For those of us still on-Island during the vacation week, the library offers free soup and bread for lunch, weekdays from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. There are also plenty of child-oriented activities during regular school hours.

I am told the birds and mammals are acting out their usual pre-spring habits, and the Whitings are enjoying a number of baby lambs in their barn, including two pairs of twins. But the earth, the wind and the air haven’t given us a clue. Come on spring, at least send a snowdrop shoot out of the frozen ground.

Isla Solon, a junior at the Vineyard’s regional high school, has arrived in Costa Rica for a 10-week program at a school there to immerse herself in Spanish. Ole Isla. She will return for her senior year on the Vineyard in September.

Amelia Smith completed Saturday’s 20-mile run, sponsored by the Amity Island Running Club. It took her three hours and 24 minutes and resulted in a sore ankle the next day, but she truly impresses me with her stamina. Amelia and her daughter Nova are heading off-Island next week for a preliminary look at a couple of colleges.

Birthday wishes to Lila Fischer on Friday, Feb. 21, and to Evan Bettencourt Sunday, Feb. 23. Barb Cushman celebrates her birthday on Monday, Feb. 24, and Tuesday, Feb. 25 is the big day for both Deena Mazer and Hudson Lee. On Thursday, Feb. 26, Sara Colanari, Mason Fischer and Jennifer Cottle blow out their candles. Leah Littlefield is the birthday girl Feb. 27.

Anyone who met Janet Messineo knows what a warm and welcoming woman she was. A celebration of her life takes place Saturday, Feb. 22, at 12:30 p.m. at the Agricultural Hall.

Time to sharpen those blades for a free family skate at the Martha’s Vineyard Arena on Saturday, March 1, at 11 a.m. Bring a snack to share and enjoy free hot chocolate before, during or after your pirouettes across the ice.