Hillsides are blazing with yellows, and the later, sweet-smelling white narcissus are beginning their bloom. Red blossoms from maple trees carpet the driveway. My dog and I refuse to adjust our route, and ignore the fierce complaints of the osprey recently returned to their nest. They seem to be adjusting. One year I felt I needed an umbrella for protection. Because birds are nesting, I keep the dog leashed on the trails and around the ponds.
Soon the azaleas and rhododendron will start to bloom. Spring cleanup is calling, and we are careful, having learned the hard way that you can easily kill things by mistake. The past can inform us.
Priscilla Warner’s art incorporating childhood drawings graces walls in the infusion center at the hospital, and never fails to send a message of encouragement and ignite a feisty sense of exuberance in a space where hard things happen, and outcomes aren’t certain.
Last week Warner’s latest book was released, and became an instant bestseller on Amazon: “How to Fall in Love with Yourself: Lessons I Learned from My Younger Self.” Nancy Aronie, beloved founder of the Chilmark Writing Workshop, and author of “Writing from the Heart: Tapping the Power of Your Inner Voice,” said, “Priscilla Warner’s new book is so beautiful that I almost can’t find words about her words. It helps to be 72 with a co-author who is 7! And that’s precisely what makes this book so brilliant. We get the innocence of a child with the wisdom of a grown-up.”
Thomas Dresser is speaking on his latest book, “Historic Storms of Martha’s Vineyard,” on Friday, May 1, at the Chilmark library’s Lunch and Learn program. It runs from 11:30 to 1 pm.
It is nice to see that the tick-repelling lavender, mint, rosemary, and marigolds are returning.
Tick Free Martha’s Vineyard is hosting a public briefing and panel discussion on the aerial deer survey results today, Thursday, April 30, from 2 to 3 pm at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. We are invited to submit questions in advance at info@tickfreemv.org. The event will be recorded and available for viewing at a later date.
The ticks are a difficult problem we all have to contend with. But like many things, we will end up finding out the costs and benefits of proposed solutions after trying. Maybe there will be more flocks of chickens and Guinea fowl.
The winter storms took down cedar trees, and they say that cedar chips or shredded decaf can help with ticks, so we are sorting branches before chipping.
Bees don’t tend to pick anything up off the ground, but what are the effects of the sprays?
We are sending clothes off for treatment, and have bottles of pyrethrum to spray on our shoes and pants. As always, tucking our pants into our socks, and shirts into our pants.
Thank you to Keren Tonneson and Scott Crowford for keeping Pathways open and the light on for artists and writers all winter in the Chilmark Tavern. Thank you to Marianne Goldberg’s family for continuing what she founded. We will look for notice of your down-Island summer activities.