Hello everyone,
One thing I am really beginning to enjoy is the change in seasons. Growing up in California I always said that we had two seasons, rainy and hot. Here you have autumn with its rainbow of leaves and chill in the air, winter with its snow that stops everything in London and springtime. I would have to say spring is my favourite time. Right around the beginning of March, shoots of daffodils start sprouting up everywhere . . . and I do mean EVERYWHERE! They are around every tree, smack dab in the middle of every lawn, on hillsides as my train passes by . . . . everywhere. They are pretty much like weeds when it comes to growing. But people don't think of them as weeds . . . . they are the first sign of spring. After that the trees begin to bloom. They bloom in a wide variety of pinks, yellows, whites and they bloom in little, medium and full on flowers that you could hold only in both hands . . . . it is a pastel rainbow. So imagine this . . . . green grass, bright yellow daffodils growing out of the grass around trees that are blooming in bright colours all over. Yep, it is beautiful, VERY beautiful. Now the leaves are starting to sprout as well so you have that lovely new leaf shade of green coming in behind the blossoms too. For the most part the weather has turned around and been very warm. When Joe was here it didn't rain or cloud over all week.
Not only that but events start to take a turn here as people come out of their warm winter houses for annual traditions such as The Boat Race and The Grand National. The boat race was last weekend and has been going on for over 155 years. It is a rowing race between Oxford and Cambridge on the Thames but all you need to say to someone is, "Yeah, the boat race is today!" and they will know exactly what you are talking about. Since Cambridge couldn't be bothered to admit John for university, yes he got that close, we support Oxford. Yes, all future little Rivers children will be Oxford supporters and hopefully . . . . alumni. Anywho, not to spoil your fun, but in the last two years we have seen Oxford slaughter Cambridge by whole boat lengths! Go Oxford!
Today is the Grand National . . . . think National Velvet with Elizabeth Taylor. All the newspapers cover it, news tv, radio . . . everything. Everyone talks about it all week before as well. It is a HUGE deal. Today we are heading up to a pub to meet friends and make a few friendly bets. You have to be really sure of what horse you are betting on here because horses die in this race. It is that cutthroat and dangerous.
Other than that I have my QTS assessment my first day back from term break . . . YES I am on holiday! Yeah!!!! John is waiting to hear back from Random House after his second interview. Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. He was pretty much fed up with Harper Collins before he was made redundant anyway and is being very positive and proactive about his situation. Again, we really appreciate your support.
Now I am off to eat my breakfast and drink my coffee. Hope my description of springtime in England sends a beautiful pastel picture into your minds that will bring a smile to your face. Love you all.
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Oh yeah!!!!! John and I won some money off the Grand National! My two horses came in 2nd and 3rd. The horse that did won was a 100-1 shot . . . out of the blue, how crazy is that. Anywho just have to comment about how brutal this race is. Wow, John said it but wow, it really is. Horses don't make it past the first jump sometimes. They fall over onto their backs, legs in the air and the riders just immediately curl up into the fetal position to avoid being trampled. The race wasn't even half way through before over 6 of the 40 horses were out of the race. It was definitely an experience to watch.
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