I know it's been a while. I shall try to make this "catch up" as short and painless as possible.

First, all is well here at the Kin/Stones residence.
The same cannot be said of Nana, David's Mum who suffered a major stroke about 5 weeks ago. She is very weak, has no use of her left side limited use of her right leg, and can't speak. David went over as soon as he was able to organise a flight and stayed for a week. It was a very sad visit. Difficult seeing his Mum like this.

Yesterday, April Fools day had a very interesting yet scary start. I was in the kitchen having an early breakfast getting ready to take my Mum to Ottawa to have a cyst removed from her shoulder (more on that later) when David yelled from his bedroom "the Fox. He's chasing the cat!" Sam came racing up the cellar stairs(thank goodness for cat doors) and took to hiding. I, accompanied by Lucy raced out the front door. No sight of the Fox though. Apparently the fox looked right in David's bedroom window which is where Lucy sleeps. I think her barking must have sent him or her on her way.

Oma's surgery: Oma had a fatty cyst on her right shoulder which had grown to a significant size making it uncomfortable to sleep. So off to Ottawa we went where her Dr. removed it. I got to assist!. I helped hold the sterile covering out of the way, handed the cauterizing do hickey to her when she needed it, but mostly I watched. She froze the area, made an incision(about 2 1/2"), then proceeded to peel and sculpt the skin from the cyst until it was free and "popped" it out. Push came to shove I think I could do one of these myself.............

The ice went out of the river about a week ago. The next day the muskrat made an appearance and our Lucy we discovered is a water Dog.

I have just read Tiff's block. It was a year ago today that Ben had his stroke. Doesn't seem possible.

Barbara and I are off to dinner with the ladies. GNO ( Girls Night Out)