Where do photos go when they disappear and don't Post???

Last Day of March

Surprise! I'm writing again so soon! Today was such a nice day with sunshine and signs of our belated Spring. It needs to be recorded quickly before gray clouds and rain - or more snow - cover up the feeling.

Today was "Tartu Day". Since Daylight Saving Time arrived here on Sunday, it wasn't light yet when we left. It was wonderful in that city to find the ice all gone from the walks, and the river running free! A few pe ople were eating outdoors at sidewalk tables, albeit, with their coats on. Along the highway, their is still snow in the fields, but also big pools of water where it has melted. The highlight of it all is WE SAW A STORK! Just one, and still many empty nests, but it is a sure sign of Spring.

So, I'll post a few pictures. One of the building where we have our studies; my "intermediate" group; the river and the bridge; the music store....and one Kathy took of me without some dumb winter hat on.

No, there is no sign of tree leaves, but there IS green grass showing where snow has melted. And, out the back door there are curving steps visible where before there was only a snowbank.

Spring!

I'm shocked to see that I haven't posted anything since I wrote of Laura's visit! I really thought I had, but if I did it isn't here.

Spring has come - at least on the calendar - and March will soon run out of days. The temperature has climbed above freezing. The snow looks limp and dingy, but it is still here. Streets are clear now, and some walkways are too. One could ALMOST go without these cumbersome boots! I can only imagine how free it will feel to actually step outside the door and go down the walk in SHOES!

Snow and ice on the roof avalanched down right in the middle of the steps that come up to our doorway. That made going out and in more "interesting" than usual today. We're glad it didn't happen while someone was walking there.

This week has had some highlights. Maria "rang up" from Ekaterinburg, Russia, and gave encouraging news of, and greetings from, those that Luda and I were in contact with last winter. Then on Thursday, Harriet and Kaye drove up from Latvia for a visit. It was short as they had to leave Friday morning, but Oh! SO SPECIAL.

We're glad for the feel of Spring in the air, even though there is no sign yet of green leaves. When that happens I'm sure it will inspire me to write again!

Laura's Visit

......and now she is gone! Where did the week go? How did it go so quickly? It was so special to have those days together. This is the first time that any of my family has come to share in a place where I am! I'm so glad that she was with us a whole week, and so got in on each part of our "schedule". I know she loved it too. There were two or three evenings when we played "Skip-Bo" before we went to bed. Great fun, but if you don't want to be beaten at that game, don't play with Laura. ha

Yesterday, Kathy elected to stay home while Laura and I went "out about the city". We had lunch at a good Chinese restaurant, poked around in a shopping center, got some groceries, and sat down to eat an ice-cream cone.

After that, our luck wasn't quite so good. Instead of waiting for our bus, we decided to walk a few blocks and take the tram. Well and good....but, after a couple stops the tram STOPPED and everyone had to get off in the middle of wherever. So...now what??? We tried going one direction with no success; (no bus numbers there that would take us home). So, then we walked back the other way to the tram-stop before the place we had to get off. Another tram came before long and we soon were home. So it goes for two small-town Nebraskans "pilgrims and strangers" in a foreign city!

This morning we left the house at 10:00, Laura's blue suitcase wheeling along behind her and her violin in its case strapped to her back. We three took our tram, and changed to another in the Centre. When we got off at the stop nearest the wharfs, there was still quite a snowy walk ahead. We met many tourists coming from ships for a weekend in Tallinn, some like Laura pulling their suitcases through the snowy path. And then it was time to take a final snapshot, have one more hug....and she was gone through the door to cross the water to her adopted country - to her place.

It's March!

March is here and thoughts turn toward Spring. Here, it came in like a lamb. Suddenly, our snow has turned to slush. Beside the streets, the snow-piles have changed from white to brown.

Laura is here! That is special. I know this week will go too fast. We watched at the gate for her taxi in the middle of the night on what was by then Saturday morning.
We've gone shopping twice, and enjoyed having her in our two meetings on Sunday. Tonight it was nice to have her in our English Bible lesson group.

I'm sure March will give us some more wintery weather, but before we get any further past February, there are a few more snow pictures I wanted to post. The children in the school yard next door made quite a remarkable snow cat. You may have to magnify the picture to see it well. They also made quite a labyrinth of paths in the snow, and I was surprised how deep it really was. It sure looked like it would be fun to play in! The "Tondi" and "Kristiine" sign designates our part of the city. It is beside the path we take to the Tondi tram stop.

Next time I'll post some pictures of Laura.