Like March, more than May, this morning. A bit of wind and very cool. Still, I had it in my mind to get a big bunch of raking done. Everyone left house early but me, and I went straight to the side yard. Raked and pruned for four hours. Got the side yard done. I felt very pleased with my progress. I didn’t want the little ferns harmed under the leaves. It’s the kind of raking you have to be very careful of––mostly, I lifted the leaves off the ferns with my hands. And pruned back those obnoxious invasive pricker bushes. Occasionally a wind blew up and I had to rake a pile back up. Charlie barked at me every now and then because he wanted us to go in, and I ignored him. Tomorrow I hope to move to the front; or we will see. Because it’s Mother’s Day. Today I was surprised to get a fan e-mail out of the blue from a teacher in California. My one-act play, “The Adventures of Rocky & Skye,” which is published by Youth Plays was performed at his teenager’s school and he was moved enough to find me and write this sweet e-mail, such a thoughtful act of generosity that made my day:

We had the pleasure of meeting your writing through a middle-school scenes presentation at our teenager’s school. We were touched by scenes from Rocky and Skye.

I am a career public school teacher, everything from K to 12 over the decades, classroom and performing arts, currently music for K-8. My wife is a theatre professional and a music prof. The developing perspectives of your two protagonists through their growing up resonated strongly, accurately, warmly, and poignantly. Bravo and thank you.