This day began early, as mom and I got up around 8 a.m., had coffee and omlettes, then put together another Q-bit with drawers before I hopped in the shower and got ready for the afternoon. I met up with DeeDee and her daughter C., M., and Pammie Sue at the theater downtown for the 1 p.m. showing of "The Passion". (It's an amazing film! I'm not sure I even have the words for it right now. Just. Amazing. I'll write more about it later, but right now, on with the rest of the day.)

After the movie, DeeDee, C., M. and I headed up to the winery; unfortunetly Pammie Sue couldn't join us. The drive up was wonderful because the sun was shining, the sky was blue and a few puffy clouds floated lazily along. All the rain we've had the past couple of weeks made the hillsides bright green with new growth. It was very beautiful. As I turned a bend in the narrow road, a deer trotted across in front of us, and as I slowed down for her, we looked up on the hillside and saw about seven or eight more deer grazing on the new grass. DeeDee hurried to snap a picture, and I fumbled for my camera, but by the time I went for my shot, the deer had all taken off. Still, it was really cool to see them, and hopefully DeeDee's picture will come out!

When we arrived at the winery, I was sad to think we would not be greeted by their wonderful Briard, Maggie Mae, who passed away in January, but was pleasantly surprised to see a very excited, very fluffy Briard puppy run up to meet us! The sweet little darling, named Curry, is very feisty and energetic and playful, and absolutely adorable! I want one!

DeeDee, C. and I did some wine tasting, and picked up our March shipments, which included the new and delicious Faantasy Reisling and Lilac Tyme, as well as a memorial bottle of Maggie Mae El Nino Red, and a bottle of Periwinkle Pinot Noir. Later we went over to the stables to visit the horses, took a bunch of pictures, then headed home. M. lives nearby there, so she'd driven her own car, while I took DeeDee and C. back to their car at the theater. DeeDee and I made plans to hook up for lunch on Monday, then I headed home to start work on some more Q-bits.

When I arrived I was pleasantly surprised to find that mom had done all the Q-bits with doors, so all we had left to do were the 2-drawer Q-bits. We did one, had dinner, then did one more before calling it a night. There are only three left to do, and the more we put these things together, the easier it's getting. We have a system set up: mom puts the drawers together while I take care of the top, bottom and sides, as well as pounding in the runners for the drawers. Don't let those instructions fool you! It says to "tap" the runners in, but really, you have to pound them in. Hard. With a real hammer, not a rubber mallet!

Anyway, our plan is to get the last three Q-bits done in the morning, then go get groceries, and come back, have lunch and celebrate getting every thing done by enjoying a glass of the Lilac Tyme!

Reading: You've Got to Read This ed. by Ron Hansen. This week's stories are "The Dead" by James Joyce, "In the Penal Colony" by Franz Kafka, and "In Dreams Begin Responsibilities" by Delmore Schwartz. We only have one short story to workshop this week, so Marc is bringing in some samples of query letters, rejection letters, and stuff like that, and he'll discuss the publishing process.

Classic Book: Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.

Previously: Animal Farm by George Orwell.

Listening to: Nothing.

Writing: Nothing.

Gratitude: An amazing day.