Hiya! :-D It's so GOOD to 'see' y'all !!! :-D Sincerely hope you're all doing splendidly!!!!! As for updates... So the storks did their stork-thing... in may -after almost giving up 'hope'- we discovered 2, later 3, tinyyy babies... most of the time invisible, popping up occasionally. (in case u wanna c storks? (?? ;-D) zillions of newborn & childhood pics... 'unpolished', a lot uncropped, no masterpieces. uploaded for C., executive of the bird (& wild animal-) shelter... pole & nest are on their terrain, beside the fence. More links are under the previous 'Merry Christmas' upload now. http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Album=GN746CV8 http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Album=DOCJ7W48 http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Album=R8UJ7BIJ ) I have been really busy organising a 'stork' photo contest, in an attempt to raise some $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for the shelter and keep up with their appetite i.e. cover the stork meals (didn't participate, in the end not even judge, due to 'circumstances') i.e. C. thought I should do that ;-D the 1st price was FLYING ;-D (see the world from stork perspective... ;-) half an hour in a Cessna for the 3 -category- winners. u could fly over ur own house 4 instance to take pics? and for those afraid of flying... don't participate in a STORK contest! ;-D -try an earth worm contest or ?-) and a huge fine art print on aluminium and mooore... http://www.demikke.nl/nl/verslag-ooievaars_fotowedstrijd-ooievaars.htm (contest page) http://www.demikke.nl/nl/verslag-ooievaars.htm and invitations to work on the land. The baby storks have left for Africa for winter, prob. with other storks and what no one expected... the parents both returned to the nest AND to the food bucket! ;-D (They were wonderful parents!) Roaming the neighbourhood, thus not always home, but still 'there'... -from what I've heard, haven't seen 'em in ages- Then my mother started to refuse food, due to a lack of appetite, which of course had a cause. She died, rather unexpectedly, on August 14th. :'-( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toYx6y-RUgU lyrics s/b '...in heaven bells are ringing..... ' (can't find the New London Chorale version) I'm alone in the world now... no family left (except for my -late- husband's family and some cousins, who all live milesss away and abroad). TG for animals (!!!) and friends, incl. neighbours!!! altho 1 of my very best friends vanished (notified me by e-mail after not showing up at an appoinment n after a week of not picking up the phone or opening the door, isn't that cute? told her over n over I didn't expect her to help! but sure could use some friendship?). Spent the last months trying to clear out my parents house and creating room here for (temp.) storage (we were the neighbours of her neighbours ;-)) and trimming hedges and trees, tax forms, tel. calls, ads n other 'details'. Had given myself 2 months to finish 'the job', but still not done. Therefore, pls forgive me for not commenting, can't spare the time, so wish I could (!!!) ... there is a deadline coming up and renting 2 houses & a garage is veryyy $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$... Yet, didn't want to let X-mas pass without wishing you & yours the very best!!! since many of you are in my heart... TYSM for your wonderful comments!!! Lots of HUGS from this side of the pond!!! cya?