Cold/warm, cold/warm, we certainly have been on a little roller coaster of temperatures but we are not freezing. We put the clocks forward this weekend and we will have light later but darkness in the morning.

Happy birthday to all who celebrated their day this past week. Big balloons go out to Callie Oteri who celebrated her day March 3, Lethicia Diniz, March 4, and to Ana Amaro, and Violet Dello Russo, who celebrate their day today, March 6.

This week I am dedicating my column to my longtime friend Jan (Auntie Jan) Norton, who left us on February 28.

I met Jan at Featherstone Farm in 1978 when she moved her horse Pegs there. I remember this lady coming up the driveway in her blue Subaru wagon with all her feed, brushes, etc. and caring very carefully for her horse. She had her ways of doing things and we all respected that and we all became friends. When Ann sold the farm, Jan was building her barn and needed a horse friend for Pegs, and Ann recommended me to her. So in 1980 Jan and I packed up the cars, which the men drove while we rode our horses to Edgartown. This started a new adventure for all of us. Jan and her husband Floyd had not built their house yet so it was just the barn and the horses on the property. We took turns feeding — one in the morning and one in the afternoon. We became fast friends.

We both loved our animals but Jan was very passionate about all animals, which we swear knew when she arrived and that they were safe with her. Soon there were ducks, geese, deer and many more creatures at her back door. She fed them all and when they were hurt she cared for them.

We walked our dogs in the back field every morning and shared our dog stories of the day before, or whatever else was on our minds. She was a true friend and if the field could tell stories it would have many to tell.

Jan was a force to be reckoned with at times, but her heart was as big as she was and she would do anything for someone in need. She was a great friend and she loved her family: her husband Floyd, her son Stuart, and her daughter Debbie.

Rest well, Auntie Jan, and if I know you like I do, you visited Rainbow Bridge to check on all the animals first.

Have a great week and keep the home candles burning.