Rabbit rabbit! Last Friday evening I stood by myself in the Menemsha parking lot and snapped a photo of the Texaco and empty lot. The sky was grey and darkening. There was but a light breeze and everything felt calm and serene. I whispered to myself, “I think this is what is called the calm before the storm.”

We stayed an extra couple of hours to make sure everyone was fueled up and ready for a possible 24 hours of plowing, generators and more. The doors were locked, odds and ends were stowed, everything was prepped as well as it could be and we were beginning the waiting game. Part of me was an excited little kid and the other part worried as though I was on the verge of a mid-life crisis.

At home, the bathtub was filled and the thermostat was nudged up a bit. The wood stove was lit and extra wood was stacked alongside it. Brownies were baked by Brooks to have on hand should we need something sweet to ease our concerns. The shovels were stowed by the door and the chicken and outdoor rabbit were tucked in as best we could. My prediction: I announced to all that I was certain we would get 1 to 30 inches of snow and the wind would blow between 0 and 75 miles per hour. Pat me on the back; I was right.

Although I did not know Paul Levine personally, I do know his daughter. You could tell that Mathea Morais has a special bond with her dad. You could hear it when she spoke of him. You could see it in photographs as she eyed him adoringly. For the past decade plus, Paul called West Tisbury home with Marie-Louise Rouff. At the age of 95, he bid farewell to his life on earth but continues to live on in the memories of his loved ones.

I’d like to extend my condolences to the family and loved ones of Sheila Jason, who passed away at the end of last week. Although I’ve had a few really pleasant conversations with Sheila over the years, my fondest memory dates back to 1995. It was shortly before Marshall and I married and we had decided to really whoop it up and have a huge community party rather than a traditional catered wedding. One of the first to step up and offer help was Sheila. The two of us had a little sit-down with mother in law Hilda Jason to talk turkey. It was a conversation that didn’t really involve much talk about food but we did laugh a lot that day and in the few follow-up conversations. I have appreciated her kindness since that day.

Zeke Wilkins had a voice you’d recognize from miles away and a twinkle in his eye that sparkled even under the cover of darkness. He pounded nails with the best of them, including Paul Mayhew. He belted out “ho ho ho” like no other when he played Santa at the Chilmark fire department Christmas party and led Tri-Town Ambulance back in the day. He was a person you could anticipate having a conversation with that made you feel uplifted once it was over. To say he will be missed by many is an understatement. A celebration of life will be held at the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Hall on Saturday, May 14 from 2 to 5 p.m.

MassDEP is offering private well owners an opportunity to receive free testing for PFAS compounds in communities where 60 percent or more of the consumers use private wells. Chilmark is one of the 85 towns that made the list. The link to apply for free sampling is on the MASSDEP website at madwpdep.org. For more information about the program, see their frequently asked questions section. If you are interested in the free sampling, but have trouble with the link please call Marina Lent in the board of health office at 508-645-2105. She will gladly lend a hand.

Don’t forget: free Covid-19 test kits are available from the board of health office every Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and on Thursdays from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Please park in the main lot off Middle Road and walk to the front door at Beetlebung Corner.

Did you say “rabbit rabbit” on Feb. 1? If so, thank you: this month should provide us smooth sailing.