Oh, alright, already. Stop begging, blog-reading world. I'm really, really busy, but if it's what the people want, well, here goes: I have been hiding out and, perhaps, putting all my energy into high school English, and tutoring a homebound student. We finished A Streetcar Named Desire and watched the 1951 film starring Brando and Vivien Leigh. Let me tell you that high school sophomores are pretty hard on Blanche Dubois. I know, because I just finished reading eighty-five essays about her, and they do not cut her much slack. They will all be thrilled tomorrow to discover that we are beginning a lengthy unit on poetry - and trust me, there's nothing that sophomores like more than reading good poetry. hmmmm-mmmm.

I have been slow to announce to you that the Smithlings made their appearance in Cleveland on April 14th! They are Henry Michael and Eli Nicholas and they are small, but doing well and we are all thankful for their safe arrival here on earth. Congratulations to all the Smith's and all the Hamlin's. We are anxious to meet them.

It's mushroom and tulip time in Indiana! Bob found these in the swamp and we served them tonight with steak, asparagus and little red potatoes. Yummy. Of course, these tulips are from Wal-mart, because, once again, the deer ate all of mine except for a couple here and there.

I hosted my Tri Kappa Chapter on Wednesday night. Every April we have the AFS student come and address the group. Here's the group. Man, this is a terrible picture, by the way. I've cut people off! The student this year is a lovely girl, who told us about her country and also told us what every AFS student tells us every year, that she's gained weight during her stay in America. What does this say about us and the way we eat??? Having said that, I promise to post a recipe, yet this week, for hearty, cheese-stuffed meatballs.

"I'm afraid it's me dear. I rather think I send his senses reeling."

Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet)