When I stopped at my in-laws, Emmett leaned out the door and handed Kathie a bag and she passed it to me. Before I lay my hands on it I could smell its sweetness. As if my nose was connected to my stomach it quickly began to growl as I reached for the freshly baked bread. It was approaching 3:30 p.m. and I hadn’t had lunch yet so this was a most welcomed gift. As I started my journey down-Island I reached into the bag for a warm corner of the bread. It would be lunch. As I savored the first bite it brought me traveling back to the 1990s.

Grandma Bette would grocery shop on Fridays. Typically she would stop at Humphrey’s in North Tisbury for a few goodies. Quite often the oatmeal bread was fresh out of the oven so she would bring us a loaf tucked in a plastic bag with the end open so the steam wouldn’t make the bread soggy. She would always bring us a twist tie so we could close the bag when we had nibbled our fill. We never needed the twist tie because, of course, the whole loaf would disappear bit by bit. We would always say maybe just one more bite. Emmett’s bread had the same flavor and not only did it taste delicious but it prompted wonderful memories of days gone by.

My mind wandered back some 30 years ago on another occasion this week. Early one morning, in my driveway, stood a bobwhite. It was a male with his bright white throat shimmering in the early morning sun. He stood quite still for a number of moments and I stood with him observing. With the blink of an eye he turned and darted off to the edge of the traveled way and into the grass where his mate was happily pecking whatever her beak found interesting. There used to be many groups — a flock, bevy or covey might be the right term — of quail around town, but now I can go years without seeing them. Although I know a few folks have released fairly large quantities in town over the past few years this is the first pair I’ve seen in, perhaps, six years. Scott McDowell shares that he had one visit him on his Menemsha porch a couple of years ago. Occasionally I can hear their call in the distance, but an up-close visual always brings happiness.

The word is out from Tracy Thorpe at the Library. On May 31 from noon to 1 p.m. there will be an online presentation with Liz Dengenis. The topic is osprey monitoring in conjunction with Felix Neck. Email Tracy at tthorpe@clamsnet.org for details. As an aside, I wonder how the nesting pair on Osprey Lane are doing?

Caitlin Cook is sharing her Body Snack classes on Zoom. Shoot her an email at xaitlinc@gmail.com for details. She offers some great guidance on a combo of yoga, Pilates and more. You’ll feel great after you’ve snacked with Caitlin.

Krishana Collins and her team at Tea Lane Farm have announced their first ever online shopping opportunity. We all know how a-ma-zing her flowers are and now we have the opportunity to buy her plants online and soon her flowers, too. Check out the website at tealanefarm.com.

Stay safe at home and take a few moments to reflect this Memorial Day and remember those who gave their lives in order to preserve our freedoms.