roll on the spring!! (forgot to press publish on this from a few weeks ago?)

whatever the thermometer says!! We got the first of this years lambs, so there! To our wonderful Moxie, not three this time, so they are huge and beautiful, and boys I'm afraid, say no more, wink, wink. Crocuses are out in a shy sort of way, tulips just show lots of healthy leaves. The orange tree (inside) that was a gift from the bears has fairly continuously for the last few weeks dinky white flowers that smell amazing. Can't see any small oranges - maybe for that it needs a bee or two? Wonder hens - these are self raised - have been laying all through the winter and often 8-10 per day, we have to think about pickling eggs. Though with Easter egg collection coming, I'll be able to give away a few trayful. Now getting ready for table-tennis, as a compromise, Monday and Thursday morning is ours in the fitness room - which is not optimum, as often we are not here at this very time, but better than nothing. The future of the village unemployed looks bad - they cut the number of the communal workers drastically - you know, the election year is over - only 8 young and 3 adult starts this March; there were 23 places last year. There is a wooden outside scheme going to give work and a bit of training - there are benches and pick-nick tables springing up all over the public places. We were thinking of ordering some of these sturdy furniture, if the burocracy allows such a thing. The big news: Sharon and Marci are coming from far away, cold Toronto at Easter - which is so near! But before that we are off to Milnrow, to have a quiet celebration of dad's 90th, he wants the big deal in the summer.