I climbed another mountain this March–another year closer to Heaven.

A few days after my birthday I had a chest x-ray because I had been coughing for 8 weeks. Results are in and all is well. No evidence of disease. Just a wicked bad ugly cough. And I got a pretty cool photo–the sidewalk at the hospital.

I continued to work on my watercolors. My hope is to combine my watercolors with journaling–the watercolor reflecting the day’s events.

My granddaughter played Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major for me at the birthday party for me at my daughter’s house.

And Susan gave me this beautiful stained glass for my birthday.

Crocus bloomed.

Two doves appeared on the wreath on the sitting room door.

Our rhododendron is about flower. Always a favorite plant to photograph.

I made a delicious dinner; Tuscan Shrimp and White Beans.

Freddy resting.

This is the story behind the fur coat, according to Susan:

“When I was about 17 years old, Mare went to Max Zeller’s Furriers in downtown Springfield and bought herself a mink coat. I guess it was something that said ‘elegance’ and ‘success’ to her; that she had ‘overcome and made it’. Mare was a singular woman, ahead of her time.

“When you buy a fur coat, it’s not just put in a bag and boxed up for you to take. It is custom altered to fit you perfectly and your name is beautifully embroidered on the inside.

“One day, Mare asked me to pick up the mink coat from Zeller’s and bring it home and put it in her closet, which I did.

“Later that evening, Mare went into her bedroom and put the coat on. She sauntered out into the living room where Joe was sitting on the sofa, watching television. Joe, aghast, said, “Where did you get that?!”

“Mare said, “In my closet.”

“This little incident says so much about Mare, Joe, and their relationship—but that’s another story.”