February 14 , 2009

Written February 21

Dear Friends and Families,

Now that our "guest house" is done, we needed guests. That, after all, was why we created the best barn in Pommersfelden. Maureen had been the first visitor, at the end of the year. She was a delightful guest and suggested a few refinements for hosting strangers. (We're still missing the night nights for guiding feet between the upstairs sleeping loft to the downstairs powder room. Today, I promise, we'll get them.)

Kathy and John were our next visitors. Again, excellent visitors, even if they could manage just one overnight on their ever-tight schedule. By now, they've left the cold of Europe and are back home on Cyprus, suffering another Mediterranean winter. I think I'm jealous. (By the way, my excuse for having no pictures is that the stay was too short!)

	On Valentine's Day weekend, Robin and Art took time out from their return-to-Germany move and enjoyed a chilly welcome. On the first morning, they were greeted by ice and snow on all the bushes and trees. We took a walk over for a bakery breakfast, a great warm goal on a frosty morning. Later, we toured Bamberg. (Another diary).

So, we're up to three guest stays. Any more volunteers?

John and Marianne