Thanks to everyone for your condolences regarding the death of my mother. I have been doing quite a bit of reflection during the past few weeks.

One good thing about gardening — there is always something to do. It’s wonderful to have an activity that is not only useful but meditative. There is plenty of time in a garden for thinking and enjoying.

A faint comet will appear low in the western sky tonight after sunset but it will be tough to see. Forecasters predict that Comet Pan-STARRS will be harder to find than originally anticipated.

10 Field Club Drive in Edgartown sold for $1,805,000 on March 4.

Jamie and Merrill Langley of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, William Charles Langley, born on March 9, 2013 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. William weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces at birth.

6 Church Pasture Way in Chilmark sold for $2,220,000 on March 8.

Rita Souza Barbosa and Adevalde B. Freitas of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a son, Alex Avelino Barbosa Freitas, born on March 13, 2013 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Alex weighed 7 pounds, 12 ounces at birth.

Roselene Gaspar and Brett Geddis of Edgartown announce the birth of a son, Braeden Ryan Silvia Geddis, born on March 12, 2013 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Braeden weighed 6 pounds, 13.2 ounces at birth.

Alana Trindade and Cristiano Silva of Oak Bluffs announce the birth of a daughter, Bella Trindade Silva, born on March 1, 2013 at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Bella weighed 9 pounds, .75 ounces at birth.

Oyster season in Chilmark is set to begin on Monday after the board of selectmen approved the opening of the short season.

At the selectmen’s weekly meeting on Tuesday, the board approved a recommendation from the shellfish committee that permits two heaping bushels a day, Monday through Wednesday. The season ends April 30. Shellfish constable Isaiah Scheffer said half a dozen oystermen had expressed interested in permits — “a controlled amount,” Mr. Scheffer added.

There’s still a week left of winter, but the seasonal harbingers already have signaled spring’s arrival. On Sunday, Alex Goethals reported the first pinkletinks of the year sounding their call at Lambert's Cove.

Mr. Goethal’s report was seconded by Nancy-Alyce Abbot, who said the hardy spring peepers were singing a symphony near her Lambert’s Cove home on Monday. Beldan and Dave Radcliffe also reported pinkletinks at Pilot Hill Farm in Vineyard Haven on Tuesday.