April 16th

So, I got home yesterday and immediately tackled the front lawn.  Mower is still going strong, thank you very much, but it was such hard going, the first cut of Spring, always is I suppose.  Underneath the grass we have a rather thick layer of underlay in the form of moss.  Lovely to walk on, very springy, but after I'd mowed, all I was left with was moss and the remnants of the weeds, I think it looked better before I mowed.  I followed up with a bit of raking.  Still have monbretia at the top of the drive and I always leave last years dead fronds in place to protect the bulbs from the frost.  By this time of year, the new, green, spiky eager fronds are poking through and so I raked up all the dead stuff too, then brushed the path, I was shattered by the time I'd done that.  The gardening and the ironing took about four hours so I was pooped.

You know what I forgot to tell you yesterday?  This week, I was described as... "calm."  Can you believe it? Me!  I can't remember the exact phraseology but something about a calming management technique?  Me, firey Leo, placid, that is until I explode.  Who knew?  God knows I never feel calm but if that's what I've learned to project, I can live with that.  Please note, the person calling me calm is not so much, so maybe it's a comparative thing.

Did I tell you I'm engrossed in Biggest Loser US?  It's season 9 over here, I cry every week with O'Neal and Sunshine, (Father and Daughter,) but they're usually happy tears or tears over O'Neal's accomplishments, (he has bad knees,) and his determination and effort and Trainer Bob's, (love Trainer Bob,) expertise, tuition, encouragement and support.  This week was different, O'Neal's beloved brother Arthur, former Marine, former boxer, obviously O'Neal's hero, passed away, without Uncle, as he's known on the ranch, getting the chance to say goodbye.  Well, I sobbed.  O'Neal sobbed, even "hard as nails" Jillian, the other trainer, who never, ever, cracks, shed tears.  It was so sad and you just wanted to give him a hug.

I know that R will be doing an excellent job looking after you, but I do wish I was a lot nearer, (as in... in the spare room,) so that I could check up on you.  It was so great to speak to you this morning but you didn't sound like your usual self, you sound poorly, which is understandable.  Don't forget to phone me next weekend or I'll come looking for you.

The thick white cloud I was telling you about has cleared and we now have brilliant sunshine.  It's still cool but we have sunshine, never the less.  So much for the healthy, good intentions we spoke about earlier, I'm craving Walkers Thai Sweet Chilli crisps, and I think I may have to give in.

Horoscopes, (yes, I'm still reading them,) are saying things like; "as you come to realising a long-held dream..." and, " It may have taken longer than expected for it to come about, but with one last determined effort, you will achieve your aim," could they not give me a clue... which dream?  Which aim?  Or is that too much to ask for?