Elektrostal Public Library

After the party on the 30th we went on an excursion into town to see the local public library. You can imagine what a treat that was for me! Actually, I wasn't going to go because of my knee - they were going to walk a couple of miles through snowy woods to get there. As beautiful as it was going to be, I was afraid I wouldn't make it hobbling along on my cane and would hold them back. Director Nina wouldn't hear of me staying behind and ordered me a taxi! The rest of the group never let me live it down! Irene, our translator, rode with me and we sat in the lobby talking to the librarian till till the others got there. That's Robyn in the picture sitting in the main reading room beside the librarian.

Party Time!

Most of the children at our orphanage were at "Winter Camp" while we were staying at Elektrostal but we still had plenty of kids when it came time to have a party! The children had prepared a marvelous program for us and we had seats of honor at the front of the gym. The program was a traditional story of the Snow Maiden getting in trouble with the evil characters and Grandfather Frost coming to her rescue. Grandfather Frost came riding in on a sleigh and circled the room to deafening cheers and shouts of joy! Afterwards, we presented our puppet show and gave out presents.

We Interrupt This Blog...

Sorry, another non-Russia post, but I want to let everyone know I'm home from my outpatient surgery on my knee and all is well. I'm sitting here with a brace and ice packs on my leg and Frances is taking good care of me. I have a walker to get around with and good pain medicine if I need it. They called me to come in early today because another patient didn't show up so I was home by 5:00. I'm going to get to bed in a little bit and get my rest - I go back to the doctor on Wednesday. Thanks for all the prayers - they worked!