Donna:

We returned early in the month and set out to work. The most spectacular event of all, I should say, is that we were able to get running water piped into the house! We set up a pump  which runs on batteries to draw the water from the tank into the kitchen and bathroom. For anyone who has recently been without running water you may understand how elated we are!  The beginning of the month was cold and very, very rainy. We had to channel the water out of the pond as it was flooding  the area near the house.  We covered the waste tank with dirt and dug a trench around it as well. On one side of the house we installed a door and window on the small storage room. Later, he installed a window on the opposite wall. We also were thinking and planning for a while an outside  deck area to utilize some empty space near the water tanks. Teamwork was necessary to bring it to fruition, requiring not only planning and  purchasing but drilling, sawing, painting, installing etc. Now we have an area where we can sit and enjoy the scenery surrounding us. We also made a wooden cover for the left water tank and we are working on the right one presently.

We purchased some electric pruning scissors and began the “poda”. Donna worked principally on the vines to the best of her ability. It was a task that took weeks as there were quite a few vines to be pruned during the intermittent  rain .She did not receive a diploma but her efforts were appreciated and hopefully the vines will deliver a good harvest of grapes this summer:) Jorge was instructed by our friend Mr. Joaquim on the pruning of the olive trees and continues the pruning over time as it is quite time consuming if done properly. 

We had a visit from Gloria as she  had traveled to a town nearby to  participate in an Imed competition. The next day we drove up to Serra da Estrela and were delighted to find snow. It had been 11 years since we had not seen snow.

As for family, we had an abundance of birthdays. Cristiana was first, but due to her having the flu we put off our celebrations till she recovered. She is five months pregnant now and needs to be well protected during the flu season which is in full swing right now. Emanuel also got a little older, and enjoyed a grand party with family and friends for the occasion. Philip also got a teeny bit older, but nobody really noticed anyway. He had fun skiing and is looking fine and as fit as ever. Thank God for life and the celebration of it! All glory be to God the king who gives life to all and Jesus Christ , who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Love and prayers.