11March1996

My dear Jones and Hambachers,

My thoughts have been much with you, especially with Jones at the Quinta as you struggle to cope with the vagaries of the weather. I do hope the storm has passed, in all senses of the word. If you were witnessing such a dawn as I am, you'd be thrilled. I'm in Kevin's study, with a view through the blinds of the golf course rapidly throwing off its mantle of snow. There's a blue sky above & another warm day in prospect. I was listening to the forecast for the weather a little earlier & there's an admirable week in prospect - temps way into the pluses during the day, dipping into minuses overnight. I'm mocked by the heavy coat I brought along.

Day one passed quicker than a flash. It included 4 walks with Tomba who was delighted with what he clearly takes to be his new regime. Mum, Kevin & Ann were with me for the longest of them, about a km along a road skirting the developments. Everywhere, there was evidence of a rapid thaw. A lake was arising from winter's ice rink. The protective ditch between the ring of houses & the road was brimful of water where snow had melted faster than ice still clogging the culverts through which the run-off had to escape. Mum managed the walk with an ease I could scarcely credit.

Kevin took himself off to Toronto in the late afternoon. He's due back later today. Ann took me & Mum into the hospital to show me the computer she's been given. I plan to help her computerise her records before I leave. She's keen on the project for several reasons, including the need to fight off as efficiently as possible a rogue cleric who wants to take over her grief group for his own glory. Since the group is the focus of her professional life, she's not pleased at the prospect. The scenario has arisen as part of a reorganisation of the religious & relief services offered to patients in all the city's hospitals. It's been centralised - with the inevitable political implications.

The office computer shares the same programme as Alan's but neither appears to have a database facility - so for the moment I'm stymied. I hope to purchase one today. We went on to meet Alan who was returning with a big school party from a long weekend of skiing. He'd had a great time although the melting snow had left much to be desired. He returns to school today, an institution over which he has many misgivings. His single aim in life is to become a racing driver & he is not convinced that the pursuance of his education will help him achieve it. The Northern Lights in evidence on our return home, looking as though someone had turned on a giant lamp in the sky - the 1st time I've seen them.

Ann's back seems to treating her far more gently than has been the case. Her course of physio & the exercises she's been given have helped greatly. But she's sleeping badly. Whether this is connected to the back problem, I don't know. She certainly moves around with no sign of present discomfort. Kevin's in good shape although he faces a slight gravitational challenge as do others of us. The same cannot be said for the 3 kids, if you'll allow the expression, who are lean & in the prime of life, even if Alan has a cold & Mark's chest is a bit grumpy. Tomba & Shadow are in excellent heath & cavort around in a version of animal cowboys & crooks that has to be seen to be believed. There are all sorts of unwritten rules about how far each can go which they both bend a little at times. It's an absolute hoot to watch.

There, my page is full. Thinking of you lots. All send love
T