Dear Reader
Often called the "polar wolf" or "white wolf", Arctic wolves inhabit the Arctic regions of North America and Greenland. Thanks to its isolation, the Arctic world is not threatened by hunting and habitat destruction in the same way as its southern relatives.
Arctic wolves are carnivorous hunters. By nature the help to control the populations of other animals in the region like the musk ox, caribou and Arctic hares. Arctic wolves are very curious, inquisitive and are quite tolerant of man. They howl to the moon to tell of their whereabouts and each has a very distinctive voice. They run along way each day, sometimes more than 100 miles. They always stay in their pack and look after each other.
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The chimp has been very quiet this week, I think he is glad the warmer weather has come. He is thrilled that the snowdrops and daffodils are now out in the garden and has spied several blue tits already finding suitable material for their nests. Just to remind you this chimp lives in my head - he is my protector but can be a bit over fussy and dictatorial at times.
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From Dorothy Wordsworth, February 21st, 1802, in Cumberland
'A very wet morning....Snowdrops quite out, but cold and winterly; yet, for all this, a thrush that lives in our orchard has shouted and sung its merriest all day long.'
From John Ruskin, February 21st, 1843, Denmark Hill, Surrey
'What a lovely thing a bit of fine, sharp, crystallized broken snow is, held up against the blue sky catching the sun - talk of diamonds!'
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Leaving
The day she left
her heart hammered
tears streamed down her cheeks
the rain beat against the car windows
an east wind blew
the road was black ribbons.
She took a small suitcase.
It held a red skirt, two shirts, underclothes,
two cardigans, a duffle coat
and three favourite books.
After twenty years of marriage
that was her spoils.
Oh, and the kettle.
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With best wishes, Patricia
I love this poem!
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