Today was finally warmer—I think we’ve been having blackberry winter—-the cold snap we get when the blackberries are blooming. And boy, are they blooming! I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a heavy bloom. The multiflora roses, too; although they’re the scourge of the countryside, this time of year I love them. They’re covered with trusses of white (sometimes pink) flowers that are heavily scented. The air smells like roses and cinnamon, plus the privet is blooming with its musky, suggestive scent, and the honeysuckle is so sweet. So lovely.

Our Middle Eastern do was so much fun the other night. We had a full house, plenty of good food, and a great performance by Onca, our glamorous and exotic instructor. We raised the money we set out to raise, and a good time was had by all. The Hot Springs community center was transformed; we were all astonished that it could look like that! (Thanks to S* the Amazing, and her crew of Very Helpful Girls!) We would all love to do something like that about once a month—it was great fun!