The weather here has moderated, at least for the moment. We didn't get the freezing rain that was forecast. Our temperature stayed at 30 degrees or below, and although we got about 2.5 in. of new snow it is at least not blowing around like it was. Our day is bright, but no actual sunshine except in brief bursts, and the temperature is up to 34 degrees. It's actually very pleasant outside - perhaps later in the afternoon we will get out the snowshoes for our first trek into the woods.

We spent all day yesterday trying to get Bill and Monika reunited with their luggage. They arrived in Namibia last Thursday, and their luggage remained at JFK. We thought we had it solved yesterday, but when we called to see if the bags were on their way around 2 p.m., we sort of got a runaround, and finally were told the bags didn't make it onto the plane. Apparently they had a full load and baggage is not a priority. Delta has only one flight a day, non-stop from Atlanta . . . Fred has talked with Delta this morning and looks like the same thing could happen today. We are contacting the travel agent who booked Bill and Monika's flight, hoping he may have some clout to get the bags on today's flight at 1:55 p.m. The airline sure has a cavalier attitude; one might think if baggage has been sitting on the loading dock for four days, going nowhere, it would at least move up the waiting line to be loaded among the first, not left behind again and again.

We will keep working at it, but feel very frustrated after not being able to get any results after two days. I guess this happens frequently when flying long distances - or even short ones. One thing I think I've discovered is that you have more recourse on the airline if the darned bag is completely lost than you do if its whereabouts is known but it's being delayed. In the meantime, we're still working the phone and computer, trying to find someone or something that will assure those bags are on today's plane. More later. If they actually go, you'll hear a great big "YA-HOO!!!" from the Brown's on Joe's Pond.