As we see 2015 come to a close, Christmas time in Aquinnah and around the Vineyard was perhaps part of El Niño or whatever, as temperatures reached 65 most days over the past week.

Christmas Day is just one week from Friday but we would never know it around here. The temperature has been in the 60s most of the week, dipping down to the 50s during the night. We had torrential rains on Monday evening but that just keeps the grass green this time of year. Even many of the gardens are flourishing these days with forsythia buds, rhododendron buds, roses in full bloom and a variety of flowers as well as salad greens.

Gray days of December have arrived only to be brightened by the Christmas lights, decorations, and the renewed spirits of many you meet in your daily travels. Of course we will all be a little more frantic in the coming weeks while finishing Christmas shopping.

 There is still a slight chill in the air, despite the sunshine each day. Windy conditions over the weekend with more leaves falling and branches or twigs everywhere. We have experienced a little frost with temperatures falling before freezing.