It is the end of January and this weekend I was out and about with just a sweater on and no jacket hat or gloves. It is good but it makes me nervous about what might be ahead.

My Facebook Memories from this time last year show that we had a few inches of snow on the ground. Then someone reminded us that the last time we had good weather in January and February, we had a storm in April. Mother Nature will keep us on our toes as to what she has planned.

Happy Birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Julianna Hagerty and Mateus Perini, who celebrated Jan. 29, Melissa Pereira on Jan. 30, Katherine Carroll on Jan. 31, Sophia Da Silva on Feb. 1, and to Tieman Crowell and Ethan Thibodeau who celebrate on Feb. 3.

After settling down from time away, my niece Tina came over with Christmas presents we did not get to before I left. All three of the Gilkes kids — Tim, Tina and Dan — were born to torture me at Christmas. They have the best gifts but you have to guess three times before you can open the present, and you cannot use sharp objects to open or cut the wrapping. They have grown a little more sympathetic to me, which I think is because they are busy with their own kids, but the torture was real.

I was handed a box the size of a bread box one year and it took me a good half-hour to 45 minutes to open it to find a penny painted with a Santa hat on Lincoln and a Christmas tree on the back. I misplaced it and they kindly replaced it — in the same size box as all those years ago. It was fun and we laughed a lot but I still have that penny.

So when I get gifts from them, I always wonder what torture I am about to endure. But secretly I enjoy it.

This year was good as we were all late, but the thoughtfulness was there. One of my favorites was the gift from Tim, who lives in Greenfield with his wife Debbie and his son Cooper. He works for Yankee Candle so I always get a great candle. But a few years ago he started another tradition. They come home for Thanksgiving so while here he drives around and takes various pictures. He then goes home and takes these pictures and makes a calendar, gives them as presents and then we have to drive around and find these areas. Sometimes you think you know exactly where they are and some others you have to ride around for days. Some are weathervanes, some are beach scenes or fences, but the one that has us stumped is two rocks at the beginning of a path.

We will find it, but it will take a little longer. There is no prize but the satisfaction that we found them all is rewarding enough. It keeps us busy and it is a great challenge.

If you are thinking about traveling Scotland or would like to learn about it, Tom Dresser is offering a talk and slideshow at the West Tisbury Library on Thursday, Feb. 9 at 4:30 p.m. His focus is on a long hike on the West Highland Way that he and his daughter took last summer. They also spent time in Edinburgh.

I am hearing good things about the new menu at the Square Rigger. Their breakfast menu, steak specials on Friday and the pasta night are also good. You can check out their menu online. I understand they are working hard to get the restaurant open.

It sure is nice to have choices of places to eat in Edgartown in the winter and still be able to afford it. Between The Wharf, Rockfish and the Square Rigger, they all have specials at least one or two times a week.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.