The death of former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev took me back to my travels to several Eastern European countries that he helped liberate from Communist rule.

Now is the time of year to be indulging in floral scents.

So it is April at last. The daffodils are up, but not all in bloom yet.

It all began with a paper cup.

Brigitte Cornand, longtime deputy director of West Tisbury’s Dumptique, called recently from France, where she now lives, with New Year’s greetings for all her Vineyard friends.

On Christmas Eve the sky was clear for Santa and for his reindeer.