February 1 - john taught a course on Blueprints today, and had a lot of fun!

February 2 - It is minus 15 chill factor outside today!

February 7 - Good grief it is cold outside! Here is a photo of the 4 foot cascade frozen over, but with water still flowing underneath. john calls it "the percolator effect". That is when one can look through ice and still see flowing water. Robins often drink from the reservoir at the top of the cascade. john also has a heated pan of water over on the deck for the other little critters. The temperature ranges from the teens at night to the twenties during the day.

February 13 - john and joyce just received their first email for awhile from Basso in Benin, West Africa. Here is his response:

"Good Morning everybody,
Now I am finished with the ceremonies for burrying my father.It was very restless.As I am back to Cotonou, I come to the CiberCafe to fetching my mail.I will go back home to read it and I will begin to send the answers.
For the moment I can only wish you a good feast of Saint Valentine: Peace and love around our families, our neighbourhood and on the earth.
Take care and bye bye.
Basso"

It snowed overnight, and everything is covered in soft white this morning. It is so pristine. There is about an inch of powder snow over all things, including the entire covered deck. There must have been a breeze to blow the snow across it. If it could only stay that way. It is beautiful! When there is enough light out, john will try to take a photo, and post it here.

February 27 - john's computer has been down for several days. It is now back up, and there is much to be caught up on at zenpond. More to follow.