This is the time of year that the cedar chest in my room starts to pile up. On one side there are warm leggings and on the other are medium to light leggings with layers of long-sleeved T-shirts, lightweight sweatshirts for layers, and then there are good old sweaters and the heavy jacket. With the mild winter, we had we forgetten it is only the end of March but Mother Nature has been playing with us.

Happy Birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Aidden Dunnebier, Daniel Gundes, Angel Petyoshin and April Petyoshin, who all celebrated on March 25; Alicia Pereira on March 26; Kauany Gomes on March 28; and to Luis Cardoso, Clarice Lima and Ama Rodrigues who all celebrated on March 29.

Palm Sunday is this weekend. It always reminds me of Sunday lunch, which for us was a big dinner as we always made the rounds to all the nurseries on the Island. We always started with Rod’s Flower Shop in Vineyard Haven — they always had some theme going — then to Morrice the Florist, which always had plenty of lilies and to this day I can still smell them when you walk in. Then up to Farmer Greens and later Donnie Mills’s where they had some great greenhouses and we always walked out with a marigold. Then to Donaroma’s to see their theme and to collect a daffodil treat. It was my mom’s favorite ride around the Island and she loved to collect her flower treasures.

It is time to start planting your seeds if you haven’t already done so. People plant peas on St Patrick’s Day so they can have them for Memorial Day, and you can start your lettuce. I always have great ambition to plant the seeds but then I give in and wait for the seedlings to come in.

I saw that the Edgartown Public Library now has a mailbox at its building. That is so great: if you need to send a letter or bill, you don’t have to go into town or the main post office at the Triangle. This will make a lot of people happy.

I hear that ospreys have been spotted up-Island. I also had a red-winged blackbird at the feeder this past week. I love their sound but they sure do eat a lot. I cut back feeding in the spring and summer until the darned cardinals come chirping for food. They get me every time. However, I looked out my kitchen window only to see a hawk sitting on the fence and waiting for a snack.

As I have said before, I am all for the circle of life but not in my backyard. Although he or she looked awesome when seen up close.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.