Greetings for a Super Spring!

Dear PGSS Friends:

It's good to be alive with you! We are having World Class Weather here in the Lower Mainland of B. C. Weather from every part of the world on any given day.

Happy Earth Day!

From Susila

Where is everyone?

I'm wondering what happened to our committment to blog. We could be keeping in touch. I still haven't figured out how to post a picture but I have lots to show once I get a hang on the tricks to picture hanging.
Cheerio
LIB

Twenty Days Til Summer Days

Dear Friends:

Greetings to you from cosy Kerrisdale. Been busier by phone than online typing..but send my very best to you all for speedy spring recoveries and goals accomplishments. I had a week in Manhattan Beach and Palm Desert 4 - 11 May, 2006. The home in which I stayed is my Uncle's...widower of Cleo's younger sister, my late Aunt Freda. Lorna visited there once with some nursing school buddies, I think. The home is one I've visited for years, since 1957, and practically everyone in my family has been there at some time or other. I had a conference in the desert for 3 days in between, to which my Dear Uncle Craig drove me and back again.
Vancouver is into it's humidity season. Facial fans are needed indooors unless there's air conditioning, any time it's above 12 degrees celsius! It lasts til July's end, when our "dry"period begins. We are getting ready for the Jazz Festival in June, and an onslaught of international visitors. http://www.lismoreimmrama.com/index.shtml is the site showing Hadani's involvement in their festival in Waterford county, her second trip to Ireland in as many months.

All the Very Best to all of you. Fondly From Susila B. (604-263-1164)

Many Thanks To Dear Lorna

In London, on 23 January, 2006, the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, St. James Square had Hadani Ditmars reading from her U.K. Edition (Arris Books) of "Dancing In the No Fly Zone: A Woman's Journey Through Iraq". That was a Monday, Elections Canada Day. On the Thursday 26th in Bloomsbury, at Bookmarks Books Store, Lorna and her daughter Elizabeth attended the U.K. Launch party. I had so wanted to go, but had to attend inwardly, only. I am very grateful that Lorna and Bizzy were able to be there, and I look forward to seeing the pictures, God Willing.

The U.S.A. launch (Interlake) is 16th February, 2006, in San Francisco, CA, at the City Lights Books on Columbus, 7:00 P.M. On International Womens Day, in Prince George, at CNC and UNBC, Hadani will be reading & speaking again. God Bless us , every one! S.B.

Eileen's Birthday

For February 14th, 2006.....Many Happy Returns of the Day to you, Dear Eileen, for a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Lots of Love from Susila B.

The Browns had a quiet and friendly Christmas. We are in the process of two big changes: Elizabeth is moving home, and Studio Eight is moving offices.
These two events with Christmas in the middle mean that there have been massive clear up, recycle and filing sessions. Ahhh. Still I enjoyed re-reading Christmas cards and filing away letters. I feel close to all of you. Susila's poem helped.
I'm ready for 2006. Bring it on.

LB

Poem For People Who Know Me, At Christmastime

This is a poem for people who know me,
At Christmastime.
From a place of Goodwill,
Within me,
I simply want to wish you
The Blessings of Grace in your
Good Life,
The Greatness of Kindness,
In it's most simple form,
And the Gratitude of one
Whose life is enriched in
Knowing you.

Thank You,
And God Bless You.

Fondly, From Susilawati
(Susila Bryant)

Voting from the UK

As an ex-pat Canadian, I do not have a vote in the Federeal elections. There should be a change there. Americans from overseas can vote at their embassies but Canadians do not have that priviledge. I watching the campaign from my daily Globe and Mail newsletter on line. I'm trying to understand who is running on what platform. I meet with my Canadian Women's Book Club next week ( a number of people from the High Commission) and have to be up to speed (and not too controversial. The challenge is there. We read A Complicated Kindness last month. Loved/and / hated it. Too hard to think of teenage girls kicking up dust in Saskatchewan.

I just sent one Christmas parcel off to Thailand for my son Jean-Pierre. The postage cost more than the gifts inside - typically - but he does like to imagine that I trolled up and down the shops to find him new, better socks. I keep telling him I can knit him a pair but he doesn't take me up on the offer. Can't think why.

Next the Fedex to Vancouver and then I'm done.

We have had our annual office party and we are invited out for Christmas day so I'm freer this Christmas. Skating on the 23rd at Sommerset house. I've done the baking, roasting, feeding and dishes. My feet are up. Ahhhhh.

Lorna