I bought a miniature daffodil plant yesterday, the one called Tete a Tete, three for $10. It is common in the grocery stores throughout the winter and early spring. Buying it was a marginal gesture, but it gives me hope and pleasure to see the eager little yellow faces, all exuberance and expectations. And the plant has a few more swollen stems, harbingers of blossoms to come.

Lanny McDowell, bird watcher and photographer, reports that during the recent Christmas Bird Count, he and others saw an orange-crowned warbler, considered a lucky find. Albert Fischer photographed a flock of bluebirds in his yard. Bluebirds, as you know, never predict gloom.

Even after a cold and blustery start to January, there is room for hope, if not exuberance, in this new year. Exuberance may lead to dancing, and dancing drives out the cold. Win-win.

Itching to get out for an evening? All are welcome at the first of three community potluck dinners at the Agricultural Hall, Monday, Jan 13, at 5:30 p.m. Bring a dish to share, all your own dishes, utensils and drinks. The focus of the evening is locally-produced food. No charge, no need to register.

There is a half-day of school Wednesday, Jan. 15, followed by karaoke at the library at 1:30 p.m., to keep them off the frozen streets.

If you have admired felted toy animals or had some of the soft, pettable figures danging from your Christmas tree, you may want to learn to make your own. Laura Hearn will be teaching needle felting for beginners at the library at 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 10. Have you any wool? Bring your own or start with some from the library’s stash.

Time for another Vineyard Conservation Society winter walk series, this one around the Christiantown Woods Preserve and the Agricultural Society property. Please register ahead for the guided walk, on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 10 a.m.

Lots of birthdays around town this week. Friday, Jan. 10 is the big day for Sam Arruda, Amy Crawford and David Burt; Christa Fischer celebrates Sunday, Jan. 12; and Brian Athearn on Monday, Jan. 13. Happy birthday to Dana Hollinshead on Wednesday, Jan. 15, and to Jane Rossi on Thursday, Jan. 16.

Theodora was crowned empress of the Byzantine empire on Jan. 11, 1055. Alabama seceded from the union on Jan, 11, 1861. Amelia Earhart flew solo from Honolulu to Oakland, Calif. on Jan. 11, 1935. And on this Saturday, Jan. 11, Annabelle Brothers, our own sweetheart granddaughter, will forever relinquish her teenage years. Lucky for us, Annabelle is still on her winter break from college and is home in West Tisbury.

Just think — by Thursday of next week January will be half-over.