Um, the Alexander saga continues. If you’re a tenant, please communicate with your landlord. It’s all about communication. *sigh*

Anyhoo, the news of the day is that it’s Al’s birthday. Happy birthday, Al. Pity you’re not well enough to enjoy it. His ear doesn’t hurt, but he still has a dreadful cough and can’t manage a full day at work. Well, he did yesterday, but he felt decidedly ropy by the end of it and I took over for a few hours today. As always, the customers were lovely and several of them engaged me in earnest garden-related conversation.

It was cold today though – that is, compared to yesterday when it was sunny and springy. I put on a warm coat and was glad to find fingerless gloves in the pocket. At ten past four, the sun came out and all three customers in the shop spontaneously cheered. I walked home, which should be no big deal – it’s only a mile and a half – but I had a heavy shopping bag and I found myself limping by half-way home. I’m fine now though, it doesn’t last.

If you’ve written to me, I will reply. Sorry, I’m still so behind with things. The catalogues have arrived for our next sale – the pictures aren’t up to scratch, disappointingly, don’t know why they’re a bit fuzzy. We okayed the PDF proof, but they said it was low-quality and just for the layout, so the added fuzz was in the printing. It’s adequate, but not good.

Oh, I earned a hug and a kiss from my younger son this evening. We’d been talking about liquorice the other evening and today I bought him some nice tough hard liquorice sticks. He didn’t expect it and he was awfully pleased. He offered me one, but I said I’d bought an extra one and eaten it on the way home.

I’m still sneezing hugely, several times, but only once a day. Very odd. It still feels like neither hay fever nor a cold.

I meant to tell you about a young woman waiting for a train at Liverpool Street Station. Her dress was so singular that I took notes. Here’s the very note – this is what I wrote…

Item – Pink and black striped woolly stockings
Item – White broiderie anglaise bloomers (yes, honestly bloomers. I assumed it was a petticoat and then she bent down to her rucksack and it was long and stupid knickers)
Item – Black skirt decorated with sprigs of flowers and leaves with red tape edging and pink net frill
Item – Pink skirt decorated with flowers with red flowered horizontally inserted panel, edged with a frill of white lace
Item – a red top
Item – a pink top tied at the back
Item – Black hair in two pigtails

She looked quaint.

Today has been the sort of day when I didn’t get done all I’d hoped. Nevertheless, I did get a good deal accomplished, so mustn’t grumble. A couple of unexpected and long phone calls received, which were too important not to give full attention to. Awaiting news from Alexander, Steve at the agents assures me that he’ll crack on and get everything sorted on Friday if necessary. I could have gone up tomorrow, but no real point as it would only have resulted in me offering to help when it isn’t my responsibility, and by doing so I’d have got involved. As it is, Steve will check the place out for me.

The very best thing that could have greeted me on my return (well, a kiss from my husband was a given, not that I take the dear chap for granted, no, not at all) was a lovely letter and CD from Julie, the best bartender in Athens. Athens, Georgia, that is.