BRAD WOODGER

508-627-4216

(ibwsgolf@aol.com)

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas here on Chappy. Not really, but I was afraid if I didn’t say it now I might not ever get the chance — very little snow in the forecast. And snow is the one addition to the landscape that adds a seasonal quality to our home. Otherwise, November, December, January, February, March and April look a lot like Christmas too.

But we are not without our twinkling lights. The NStar subcontractor trucks gather on the Chappy road like seagulls around a whelk, lighting the sky in shades of diamond in the darker hours. In truth, the scene looks a little less ho-ho and a little more oh-no. My first thought upon approaching the trenching trios of trucks (in the 5 p.m. pitch dark — ah, Daylight Saving time) was that I had stumbled upon a government cover-up effort of a UFO landing. A poorly concealed cover-up. The crews working this conduit-burying project are a lot more friendly, though, than I’d imagine government UFO cleanup crews to be. And the hay bales that line the south side of the road (presumably to prevent debris from littering the neighboring beach grasses, etc.) add a homey flair to the whole deal. I fully expect one day to spot Kevin Keady seated on a bale strumming an underground cable ditty. Or perhaps it will be one of Francesca Kelley’s exotic horses happily munching away, their odd little ears twitching with the excitement of such a bounty. Or not.

Speaking of the Chappy road, the lull in holiday traffic gives my mind some freedom to wander as I cruise (at a smooth 27 miles per hour) the lonely pavement. David McCourt had his mailbox name recently redone.

Lots of people visited Chappy for Thankgiving this year, among them a couple of older folks in a sage green RAV 4 and a guy with a pillboxy hat in a white Ford F150. Some of the visitors, I suspect, ate turkey while others indulged in the frozen vegetarian dumplings from Morning Glory Farm. Others still had a nice chicken dinner. Putting family names to the meals of choice is a more difficult task, so you’ll have to let your imagination supply the faces round the tables. My clairvoyant talents only reach so far.

You know those fawn-colored slacks and that buckskin jacket you’ve been waiting to wear? Wait another week. Shotgun hunting season runs through next week. Hopefully none of the hunters present on Chappy soil is on the prowl for the elusive Day-Glow orange deer, or I may be at serious risk.

Speaking of deer, I found a branch on the side of North Neck that looked like an antler but was only oak and not antler bone. I was both disappointed and relieved, not unlike my daily state of being.

Finally, I would be remiss if I did not mention the missing Annie Heywood. Still no sitings but no news, I’ll assume, is good news. No need to call. None at all. Gosh, now I just sound mean. Of course, call me, Annie, if the need arises. We are family after all. Distant family. Very distant.

Finally, I will note that I do receive, from time to time, requests to include this, that or the other non-Chappy news items and usually do not find space to replace my wonderful words. But Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard has touched so many of our lives in such a positive way that I am delighted to include the following:

Calling all bakers, jam makers, knitters, candlestick makers to lift your hearts and hands and share your talents making items for Handmade from the Heart for Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard. On Dec. 11 the doors of the beautiful Dr. Daniel Fisher House in Edgartown will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to offer all the items and gifts made by our generous friends and supporters. Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and homemade baked goodies after shopping. When you shop you give twice. Please help by creating your handmade items. For information, call Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard at 508-693-0189.