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This picture was taken by my daughter Deb … to visit her website CLICK HERE
I love the fact that I can momentarily visit the Vineyard by watching the many webcams around the Island. They all have sharp pictures that change every minute or so…but there’s one that’s “live” … people walking, ferries and boats coming and going, you can see the rippling of the water and occasionally a seagull flies past the lens. This webcam is on the Vineyard Haven harbor and belongs to the Black Dog.
Here is a grainy picture from my computer – believe me the live webcam is crystal clear. You can CLICK HERE for the link.
To visit other MV webcams go to www.mvol.com and click on webcams or just CLICK HERE. It’s absolutely definitely not like being there…but it sort of is !!!
One of the nicest children’s books about MV is “Chappaquiddick Lullaby – a song of Martha’s Vineyard” by Stacy Elizabeth Hall and illustrated by Judith Pfeiffer. The book includes a CD by Kate Taylor and Taylor Brown.
I came across our copy of this book and CD recently and enjoyed reacquainting myself with them. The book is basically about the activities and daydreams that children have during the summer. The illustrations are abundant with Island landmarks and places… you need to read the book several times before you’ve picked out everything included in this rich and lovely book.
This article in the Vineyard Gazette from May, 2006 shows the author, Stacy Elizabeth Hall with illustrator Judith Pfeiffer and also Taylor Brown and Kate Taylor.
One of the things that drew us to this book is that we have our own Chappaquiddick in the family and when we found out that there was a Chappy song, sung no less by Kate who we have had the pleasure of meeting… well, we had to have the book.
Stacy’s website is: www.islandmoonpress.com
Stacy’s first book “The Legend of Katama” is a beautifully told story of Katama, a brave young Wampanoag woman and how she changed her world.
Interestingly this our first dog who was named….. Katama (Katy)… do you see a pattern here 
Something fell out of the closet and hit me on the head today. No, it wasn’t a brilliant idea… it was this:
My mother’s Oak Bluffs High School diploma from June 18, 1926.
But that’s not all that hit me on the head. There was this work of art:
A certificate in PENMANSHIP. Do they even teach penmanship anymore!
Look at the details.
“..for the attainment of excellence in Rapid Muscular Movement…” I’m not even sure what that means !!
The wax seal makes it look very official and the ribbons add a nice touch.
And my mother did indeed have beautiful penmanship.
Edgartown Harbor
Illumination Night, is my favorite summer event and is coming up next Wednesday, Aug 19th. My original post on Illumination Night is one of the most popular on my blog so I decided to re-post it. If you’re on the Vineyard Aug 19th go and enjoy the festivities.
ILLUMINATION NIGHT is Wed, Aug 19th, 2009
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Illumination Night is held every year in the middle of August… this year it’s Wed Aug 19, 2009. If you are on MV you should not miss it, it’s an evening you won’t soon forget.
(2009 date for Illumination Night is Wed, Aug 19)
It all begins here at the Tabernacle in the Campground in Oak Bluffs.
The gingerbread cottages are decked out in Japanese lanterns, many have been passed down from generation to generation, many are even still lit with candles.
The evening begins with music by the Vineyard Haven Band accompanying a lively community sing. After the community sing is over all the lights in the Campground are turned off… a special person who has been already chosen lights the first lantern 
which is then walked up the aisle to the entrance to the Tabernacle and suddenly all the lanterns in the Campground come to life. The Campground is transformed into a magical fairyland delighting…
… kids of all ages. It has always been my favorite event of the summer and it never fails to transform me into a kid again.
I have dozens and dozens of pictures of Ocean Park and the Bandstand in the day time but this is my only night photo. I took a chance and I’m glad I did. I love how the water is lit from underneath. This picture has been tweaked to make it sharper but otherwise is what I saw through my camera.
Sixth in my series of trivia posts is another picture one. Good luck.
1- What takes place in this building Aug 20-23rd
2-What town is this
3- Where are Mytoi Gardens located
4-What harbor is this
5-What building is this in Oak Bluffs
6-What lighthouse is this
Think you know the answers? Leave a comment and find out
What do these two books have in common with Carly Simon ?
“Doctor Dan The Bandage Man” was published in 1950 by Simon & Schuster the publishing house started by Carly’s father, Richard Simon.
From what I understand, the little girl in the book is named Carly for Carly Simon. One of the interesting things about this book that makes it so popular is the addition of 6 Band-Aids … all of which have somehow disappeared from my book.
This book “Basket Full of Rhymes” sung by Carly Simon was published in 2000. Nursery rhymes like ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’… ‘Moses Supposes’… ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ and ‘Lavender Blue’ have never sounded so soothing.
Carly and her talented son, Ben Taylor, have a dream up for auction at today’s Possible Dreams Auction in Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs. CLICK HERE to see what their dream, #14 is.
the Bandstand in Ocean Park
