Never mind the untimely cold of the last few days. We still may be sure of spring, and it is the flowers that are the most distinctive contribution to today's Palm Sunday.
Get outside and notice the blooming daffodils, the forsythia and the magnolia. Celebrate the season of renewal.
The Island is sheltering in place, doing our part to help stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
With nine confirmed cases and counting, preparations continued at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital.
We have heard the pinkletinks calling in the boggy hollows on afternoons lit by a warming sun.
The Coronavirus health emergency has left many Island businesses and public buildings closed to the public for the near future.
The spring migration is in full force in April as summer visitors come north while winter residents depart.
All town parks have been closed due to the Coronavirus, but Islanders feeling the need for fresh air and excercise have the use of land bank and Sheriff's Meadow properties, the state forest, and of course, beaches.
In these early days of spring an Islander is as likely to see morning frost as blooming daffodils, and one day's heat is the next day's chill.
Across the Island, downtown streets and stores were empty and traffic was lighter as stay-at-home orders adopted Tuesday in Chilmark, Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury and West Tisbury took effect.
Winter residents are plentiful and northbound migrants start to arrive during March in the birding world.
The Martha's Vineyard Hospital has adopted drastic measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus and protect the public health.
The Island landscape is slowly greening and dotted with hardy spring bulbs just beginning to show their flowers.
This pandemic will end. Even in our uncertainty and physical isolation from each other, community is possible and necessary.
Social distancing and a desire to be outdoors brought Islanders to Menemsha.
Vineyard farm stands are open, with rules posted outside every entrance, offering Island-grown produce, dairy and meat.
The light lingers well past five o'clock now, and the late day sky is streaked with fuchsia punctuated by scudding, slate-colored clouds.
"Please practice social distancing," words now familiar to all of us. And Vineyarders respond by staying home, and when out, out walking in open spaces.
