Today was a quiet day for us. We slept late for us – 10:30, (we fed the animals early), I picked out my readings and vows for Ruth and Wayne’s Commitment Ceremony this Wednesday.

I prepared for my meeting tomorrow morning at the Bishop Maginn School in Albany, another step forward in my program to get some full scholarships for gifted public school refugee students at private schools with smaller classes.

This meeting is another big step forward for this plan to help refugee children. We’ve already placed two students – Eh K Pru Shee Wah and Sakler Moo – into the Albany Academy. We’ve raised enough money for both of them to remain at the school for their full four-year terms and be secure.

We are on a roll. I expected several refugee organizations would join with me in supporting this project, but none would. I guess I kind of like doing it solo with the Army Of Good. It was more difficult, but also more rewarding. And I can tend to the details.

I thank you for that. We are still looking for the right place for Noorul Patok from Afghanistan, he may apply to Bishop Maginn, he is reluctant to leave his friends and is still working on his English. It’s a very difficult transition for these children, no matter how gifted they are.

In a week, I’m meeting Eh K Pru’s family in their apartment in Albany.

Yesterday, we planted another white birch tree by the farmhouse, and our new Sycamore is budding. Our strawberry bush, hanging from the ceiling of the back porch, yielded it’s first fresh strawberry, which was delicious.

In the afternoon, we drove to Bennington to our favorite ice cream stand, they have a new kind of yoghurt ice cream that is okay for diabetics. We went to thrift store and I got some clothes for the Mansion residents – some scarves, a neck warmer for Sylvie, and a beautiful pink night robe for one of the new residents.

I got a big bag of nice and clean clothes for $55.

Ruth And Wayne’s Commitment Ceremony is getting close, and I like the readings I chose, and I wrote my own vows. There are some advantages to being a writer. I pick up the flowers Tuesday afternoon and the cake and cupcakes Tuesday night in Vermont.

The ceremony will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, and I think it will be about 10 minutes. Ruth and Wayne recovered from their fight on Friday and all is moving forward. Thanks for your support.

I’m sticking to the plan of simplicity and style.