Spring officially arrived last month, but in reality it always seems to arrive around Easter when summer clothes appear in the stores, lawns show the first signs of greening up, and the first flowers poke through the ground. Here on the small Maine island where I live and write, we also mark the coming of spring by the arrival of the first summer residents and tourists. It’s still a bit early, but a  few people were here for Easter and as the warmer weather arrives, so will more and more families. It’s fun to see the island come alive after a long winter with only about 100 of us slogging it out through the winter months. Stay tuned for more about life on a Maine island during the peak season.

Far away this little island may be from England–in every sense of the word– but  there  is plenty of interest in the upcoming royal wedding. Although everyone out here is an early riser anyway (lots of fishermen and lobstermen start their days before first light), I expect to see even more lights flickering on in the early hours next Friday. Mine will be among them.  Why not? Despite  all the sad news in the world, weddings, like spring, signal the hope that comes with new beginnings.