We shall call it the January thaw. Crazy winds but mild temperatures. Don’t even need a hat, scarf, or gloves. Of course that could change in 10 minutes. Enjoy your week. If you are friends with Jim and Carol Osborn you are fortunate to be on their Christmas letter list. Carol writes beautifully and enthusiastically about her family and their activities. Since her retirement from Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank and Jim’s from the Martha’s Vineyard Times, they have been able to spend more time visiting their son Chris and his family in Norway, keeping up with their Island kids, and checking on the ones in Indiana. Carol now has the time to supervise major projects at the family property in Vineyard Haven. And Jim, as always, is baking wonderful treats.

I was so looking forward to meeting Joe Kennedy 3rd last Sunday when he was to hold a town hall at Camp Jabberwocky. The high winds forced a postponement. We have been assured the town hall will be rescheduled. I did hear that Dylan Fernandes was able to make it to the Katharine Cornell Theatre for a discussion later in the day. These two representatives and our own Keith Chatinover are very available to their consituents. A breath of fresh air.

I cannot say enough good things about NuSpot in Edgartown. I was in a panic about—what else?—a problem with my device. Gustavo Silva‘s partner, Anderson, took great care of me last Thursday, quickly and efficiently. You know I’ll be back!

When I do get back to my Old Country I am anxious to check out my friend, Jessica Troiani’s, new shop in Larchmont. Jessica’s smoothie and healthy shakes shop, Enerjy, sells the freshest treats and I am looking forward to seeing my young friend again.

Get out your marching shoes for the feminist rally at Five Corners this Saturday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. We gather annually to address our concerns as we have since the last presidential election. Men are welcome.

My friend Gary Haughton is visiting family in Jamaica. He brought his lovely daughter, Emily. This is an annual trip for the Haughton family. Emily has been learning to ride horses. She looks so cute and confident perched on her steed. I can’t wait to question her about it.

The celebration of life for the amazing Lil Colligan will be this Saturday, a graveside service followed by a reception at the Ag Hall. Son Tom Colligan and granddaughter Jen Kuehne are still collecting photos and anecdotes if you have any to share.

Amy Ryan, our library director, wants to help you use your updated Clams card to get comfortable with the digital age. Informal one on one appointments will help you navigate borrowing ebooks, audio books, streaming movies, and taking on line classes. Call for an appointment, (508) 696-4210. These lessons are all free.

Our condolences to the family and friends of Porky Francis. That man was always kind to me. Great sense of humor. He will be missed.

Our sympathy to my dear friend, Eric Castaldo and his partner, Sunshine Iles. Their two beloved dogs, Nala and Hootch, passed within a week of each other. They were devoted to their humans. Treasure their memories.

Anniversary bouquets to Chris and Nicole Cimeno who celebrated 14 years together on Jan. 12.

May I be condemned to a stalled car in the middle of Five Corners on Memorial Day weekend for neglecting to inform you of my friend, Angela “Piper” Murphy’s birthday on Jan. 5. The birthday bandwagon pulled along Joan Baez on Jan. 9, Dominic Leigh Clark on Jan. 10, Scarlet Rose Rogers, granddaughter of Carlton and Sharon Simonin, on Jan. 11. Scarlet turned 9. Lew Anderson celebrated on Jan. 14. Marybeth Roden observes Jan. 16. And on Jan. 17 Rosemary Gambino takes the cake. Many happy returns.