March definitely roared in like a lion, with news of terrific defiance and courage overseas, inspiring even though we wish it were not necessary.

And so begins the quietest week of our island year, with many people gone on quests for snow or sun or surf.

Congratulations to the West Tisbury School boys basketball team, which Coach Matt Gebo guided to victory against Oak Bluffs in the Island championship last week.

Well, we had ourselves a spot of weather over the weekend.

This week's column will be filled with midwinter magic and superstition.

The Wolf Moon on Monday brought high tides that transformed Lambert's Cove Beach, among other coastal areas.

Finally, a proper snowfall! Friday was just lovely.

Island kids began the week with a totally unnecessary but thrilling early dismissal from school.

Here we find ourselves at the end of another year. Each day is a little longer now, and every extra minute of light in the sky feels like a gift.

This time of year always pulls us in two directions, doesn't it? The waning light and cold air, the quiet woods and windswept beaches, seem to direct us inward.