Dark gloomy, clouds have lingered overhead all but masking the sun. What we all want to see is a blue sky, yet what we’ve seen in various shades of gray with the occasional ray of sunlight peaking through the clouds. Raindrops, as tiresome as they can be, hold positivity within their sogginess. With each drop there is hope, hope that the shades of brown will soon pop with color like the daffodils that have blossomed along edges of stone walls and under the protective arms of bushes about to burst with that vivid spring green.

Birds joyous songs can be heard while tiny little bunnies are just opening their eyes and contemplating adventuring from the protective and cozy nests lined with their mother’s softest fur. One such nest is in my daughter’s garden. Clearly there is a hole in the fencing, but it won’t be repaired until the family sets their sights on broader adventures.

The Chilmark School PTO’s online auction fundraiser is still underway and wrapping up on April 13. There’s a fabulous assortment of local stuff and more. In my decade as a PTO member, it was a rarity I’d have the opportunity to bid on items since I was always, as they say, working the floor. Now that my kids are adults, I was thinking bidding might be a really great way to indulge in items or experiences I might not typically buy for myself. All the home-baked goods are tempting as are the tours, artwork and experiences such as fishing with Mica or riding on a Chilmark Fire Department truck in the Fourth of July parade or celebrating a birthday at John Keene Excavation’s pit. Who doesn’t secretly wish they were John Keene? The online auction can be found on the Handbid website under “Chilmark School PTO Auction 2025.” Thanks to Rebekah Thomson for sending out a friendly reminder to bid, bid, bid.

Johnny Hoy will be rocking the house — aka the Community Center — Friday night, April 11 a the MV Shellfish Group’s annual Bivalve Ball. Although the event is sold out, there might be an opportunity to snag a ticket off their waitlist. If not, sit outside with a picnic, listen vicariously and make a donation to help aid their continued efforts to bivalvify the Vineyard.

Speaking of shellfishing, I think this is the perfect opportunity to segue into welcoming the newest member of a multigenerational fishing family. On March 24, Jesse and Denny Jason welcomed Quint Joseph Jason to the world and now we get to welcome him to the community. According to Denny, “he’s a keeper” weighing in at a perfect 7 pounds 4 ounces. Reports are all are well and they are doing just beautifully settling into family life. I’m sure Quint will be out on the water in no time raking up quahogs, netting scallops, bringing fluke to market, but first I hope to see him in crab corner living his very best life.

Births lead to birthdays. Although one, thirteen, sweet sixteen, eighteen and twenty-one are noteworthy birthdays, most end in zero and five. On April 6, Bobby Brown celebrated a milestone birthday. Throwing himself a party with cake, music, friends and family, he made the most of turning seven-oh. Not much will change for Bobby. He still will care for his grandkids Bennett and Juniper, visit his mom, maintain property, grow amazing tomatoes and more, but one night of raucous celebration makes all those regular days even sweeter.