Honestly, no one can ever figure out Vineyard weather. Last week, it was down right chilly and certainly seasonal. Here it is Tuesday as I write tthis and back into the 40s, and the forecast is for 60 degrees on Wednesday. Good thing I live by the principle “There is no bad weather — only inappropriate clothing!”

Hopefully, everyone has turned off and drained the outdoor shower and put away the hoses. I’ve given this warning before: the hose needs to be removed from a frost-free faucet in order for the water to drain back into the house properly. Years ago I was told the following “old wives’ tale.” If half the cows in a field are laying down it will rain. Recently, all the herd at Nip and Tuck Farm was down and it rained later that evening.

Continuing with more comments on the animal world. A few months ago, I spent several days separating and potting up some perennial seedlings I had started in January. I used gallon-sized pots and cozied them together to later receive some sort of winter covering. Deer actually walked across the pots, breaking them as they went. The plants were underground at that point and I guess since they were unavailable for eating, the critters were trying to get my attention. It’s nearly impossible to maintain any sort of good humor at this point. I guess they are hanging around my property to avoid hunters now that it’s the season.

The foliage on oak leaf hydrangeas is particularly stunning right now, especially with midday sun highlighting it.

I’m enjoying the Christmas decorations in my travels. The newly-planted trees along Circuit avenue in Oak Bluffs are very nice with their simple white lights. I am not a fan, however, of the Ocean Park lights. The usually lovely display is now blinking. I’m glad I don’t live around there and have to see it all the time.

Ghost Island had a big box of Island cranberries. I bought several bags and popped them directly into my freezer. They are a great addition to smoothies all winter. Unlike my family members, I do not mind the tartness, especially with some added Mermaid Farm yogurt.

One thing I like about myself is my ability to pay attention to my surroundings. It is a helpful skill for column writing. Since the garden world is starting its winter rest, I have a couple of vehicle observations. Does every worker now own a white van? There are dozens of them at various job sites. Was there a sale at car lots? Why do all new cars have the same non-color? I’ve been noticing for a year or more that cars are now all the same.

I heard on NPR that the Black Friday sales are up into the billions. I guess all the Trump voters who complained endlessly about the price of eggs were willing to part with their money for (most likely) non-essentials.

Oh, to have been a fly on the wall during the 2017 meeting between Syrian President Assad and Intelligence Department nominee Tulsi Gabbard. She seems quite fond of world dictators. Maybe she can take a trip to Moscow to meet up with him again and see her other buddy, Putin. Am I living in an alternate universe? I grew up hiding under desks in fear of Soviet Union nuclear attacks.

Time to buckle up for a wild ride for the next four years (hopefully no more).