Call of the Wild

William Ternes

As we walked down the back lane to our house, it turned Fall today.

I could tell because the leaves had started to shift colors, just a little here, just a little there.
Brightening red plumes amidst the browning of summer.

Today we meandered.
It was not a time for power walking, or jogging, or running or talking.
It was a time for relaxing, remembering and reflecting.
It was a time for ... walking sticks and good, firm shoes.


Even the dog dawdled, sniffing, head in air, then sniffing, nose to ground, smelling the musty, earthy smells of autumn along the edge of the dusty lane.

Rain was in the air. You could smell it.

The warm summer breeze was long gone.  A cool, soon-to-crystalize autumn breath replaced it, barely ruffling our hair as we went along.

Overhead, we heard the cry of the first Canadian Geese heading south.
We looked up and to each other, smiling a little at the familiar call and what it meant.
We were making the transition into autumn.

Sometimes we look forward to the end of the summer season. It's hot, it's muggy, there are people, cars and congestion. It's hard to concentrate when it goes from 0 to 60 in the fast lane of resort life. And when it's over, we breathe a sigh of relief. We remember why we moved here.

For simpler times, slower ways.
Soup for supper, newspaper and knitting after.

Today it's just us.
So we walk. It's a way of slowing down without too much fuss.
A way to change gears, catch a breath, reboot, if you will.

Even in Paradise you have to reboot.

Have a good one. :)

Finished Object Friday: The Derby and The Best Knitted Man Hat EV-ER!

If you spend any time at all on the Vineyard two words eventually pop up in conversation.

MVDerby.com

"The Derby."
As in: The Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby.

The Derby is an annual fishing competition from way back - 1946, in fact.
Anyone can participate, and eventually everyone does.

Andy with Grand Slam pin

Each year the entrance fee gets you the following: a cool hat, a neat circular numbered pin for the cool hat and a chance to beat anyone at the fishing game.

Stakes are high.

For the overall winner of the Shore Fishing division, first prize is a new EASTERN 22 Center Console with option package, motor, and trailer, compliments of Eastern Boats.

And for the Boat Fishing Division - a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Pickup, compliments of the Clay Family Dealerships.

MVTimes.com

 Each evening, the Weigh-In Shack is packed - waiting to see who took first place and fish weights - gotta know what the competition is, after all.

It's all the talk around town, too. Even if you aren't entered. The grocery line, the Bank, the Post Office and at Mocha Motts.  Everywhere. (Even in church!)

Though it would be typical to have such a competition being it's an island and all, and the fishing is great, and everyone wants to catch a Striped Bass at least once in his/her lifetime, what really impresses me is the community comradery.

People actually taking an active part, no matter age or gender in the whole shebang.
I like that.

The Derby is a month-long fishing fest, so I will be reporting in over the next few weeks.
But to celebrate, I have made a hat for a certain someone's birthday (sh! It's a secret until tonight's bash), and I have to say, it is the best Man Hat EV-ER. Handknit, to be sure, by moi :), and the design? Oh La La. Hip enough to please every age, practical enough to quell any weather.
So for my Finished Object Friday, I present:
 The Man Hat!

Have a good one. :)