When I was a kid and a thunderstorm was rolling through, my dad and I would sit on our porch and watch it. We would, of course, count the second between the flash and the rumble. It was exciting but also raised the hair on the back of my neck.

I counted “one one thousand, two one thousand” the other night as that storm cell rolled through. This time my kid’s pup was sitting beside me and he woofed each time Mother Nature blasted out a rumble. This experience made me chuckle rather than feel any sense of anxiety.

Each time I introduce the lovely young women of Salt Rock Chocolates, I either preface it or add the wonderful memory of them being the flower girls at Marshall’s and my wedding almost 27 years ago. Sarah and Allison Flanders were the coolest kids on the block back in the day and haven’t fallen short of that title so many years later. You can find them and their delectable confections popping-up at the Beetlebung Farm house at 521 South Road on Wednesdays and Saturdays through the month of May from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until their product is sold out.

I am currently rationing the lovely box of truffles Bradley gave to me for Mother’s Day to one per day. They are so good I could easily eat the entire box in one sitting but we all know that wouldn’t be a sensible choice.

Eli Bonnell timed his visit back east from life in the Pacific Northwest just perfectly. He managed to catch up with a few familiar faces over a cup of coffee at the Texaco and then don his Grundens and hop aboard Shearwater with Captain Paul MacDonald. It was as if he’d never left, with Eli taking up his old spot on the stern, throwing out comical one-liners until the boat exited the jetty and we could no longer hear the words that prompted laughter.

Kathy and Derrick Teel have a new grandson and, boy, are they excited. Little Liam made his way into the world on April 24 and joined his devoted parents Angie Teel and Bill Dullea. They call New Jersey home. Just as an aside: Jessica Campbell’s fiance Mike Dullea just so happens to be Bill’s little brother. What a small world we seem to live in at times.

Caleb and Chris Slater made their way to town to help Jane with a few chores and to splash their boat for the 2022 season. They didn’t just put the boat in the water; they fished it and produced plenty of mackerel, a few cod and some nice looking sea bass that were tossed back because the season isn’t open just yet.

Peter Ruimerman has been kicking around town from the home he’s made for himself in Boston. He’s been puttering around doing chores for his folks and has managed to join the action on Squid Row for the early morning coffee club. It’s so nice to have a him there to reintroduce a new set of eyes and a fresh voice to the scene.

When you drive by the North Road fire station be sure to check out the brand new sign in all her glory, strategically hung by members of the department this past weekend. Thanks to the strong arms, skillful ladder climbing and carpentry talents of Alan Porter, Chris Smith, Victor Silva and Andy Micu.

In this week’s edition of Chilmark bird news, Kathie Carroll shares the report with minor verbiage edits from yours truly: the swallows have returned in full force and are giving quite the aerial view over Squibnocket. They swoop high and low, taking advantage of the wily winds we’ve had as of late. Thinking they are consuming numerous insects in their travels is an added plus. The hummingbirds and orioles have returned, too, along with the terns working the harbor.

The towhees, often referred to as chewinks, are also back and frolicking around our backyards along with a few happy pairs of cardinals.