We are sleeping with the window open an inch or two. I cannot swear it makes a difference, but my psyche thinks it does and that is enough.

Has the Vineyard ever been more lovely? Like a scene in a four-year-old’s favorite picture book, our Island landscape is one of blooming pastel fruit trees and gently rolling hills of yellow flowers.

Maples wear little green ruffles at the end of each twig, waving at us below. Most of the other trees around here are flaunting their own bits of frilly green confetti at their tips. Looking up through the branches is a glorious sight. There is a green haze in the air and it smells sweetly nourishing.

Magnolias, such as the one in front of Richard and Lydia Olsen’s house on State Road, have stopped traffic, or at least slowed it down.

I found a wren’s nest under the lid of the heating oil tank. Not the most scenic spot but the wrens don’t care.

Bees are buzzing around the forsythia. The bleeding heart shrub is emitting arcing loops of tiny bleeding hearts. The lilac bush has hundreds of nano-sized lilac panicles aiming themselves toward the sun. The daffodils have kept up their sprawl of yellow. I am so glad the deer don’t eat them.

Hummingbirds have returned to our neighbor’s feeder, and mine is loaded and ready when they arrive. All at once the goldfinches are back where they belong at their tube full of seeds.

The perfection of spring’s grand opening — the blue sky, bright sunshine and balmy temperatures after this long winter — along with a good soaking Saturday — have me virtually kicking up my heels. Virtually, that is.

Not just the bees and the birds are on the move, but people are up and stirring as well.

Anita Botti has returned from a trip to Capetown, South Africa, as a delegate to the annual conference of the International Association of Women Judges. Anita is a member of the board of managerial trustees of the organization.

More than 900 judges from around the world attended the conference, whose theme was “Resilience: women in leadership to end gender-based violence and femicide.” She told me that she and the other American delegates had a difficult time trying to explain the current administration in Washington. (And, I am adding, the hope that it is temporary.)

Matthew Gallagher from Redmond, Wash. was here for a quick visit to see his parents, Jerry and Margaret Gallagher. Unfortunately, with airplane delays and cancellations, the long weekend visit was shortened by a day. Matthew was scheduled to arrive by air early Friday morning but didn’t get here until 8 p.m.

Jane and Neville Thame have returned to their home on Oak Lane after spending the winter in Sarasota, Fla.

Birthday greetings this week go to two Jennifers on May 3, Jennifer Ingraham and Jenny Rezendes. And happy birthday to Bianca at up-Island Cronig’s on May 4.

Congratulations and happy anniversary wishes to John and Linda Powers on May 3, and to Max Jasny and Michelle Gerhard Jasny on May 7.

For the most perfect Mother’s Day gift, Lynn Christoffers will take portraits of any and all family members, for free, at the library’s Children’s Room this Sunday, May 4. Please do not bring your pets.