Dear Nidobak (friends),

I’m sure we all were thinking spring would never come this year after such a cold, mean and tumultuous winter, one of the worst ever. A couple of nice days full of sun and warmth set the mind to thinking joyous thoughts.

I thought about my childhood and the stunning hill of violets that my mother grew. Then we picked and sold them in sweet little bunches with the leaves on the outside and an elastic band to hold them together. Violets are edible and a decorative topping for cupcakes or cake.

Then, I snap out of it and sadly think of the troubles in the world, e...