But for all those people I know and cherish in Ukraine. For their beautiful cities, their synagogues and churches, their schools and their businesses, their hopes dashed and their men and women who will die (and have already died) trying to remain an independent nation. So much to say but in short none of us will lift a hand. We did not do so in Syria or in Belarus or in conflicts past and present. I spoke with the rebbetzin in Lviv this morning. She had not left her community although she could have returned to America weeks ago. As she spoke to me she was speaking ukrainian to her staff giving directions probably to prepare food and shelter for those from the east who are calling her. I am in mourning ………

She said she’d never cuddled a lamb before. Hasn’t everyone?

And still the sun rises

After a wonderful life lived to the full my lovely mother left us in the early hours of this morning. I will write more about her in coming days but for now it’s a comfort to know that my brother and I have taken turns (alongside her other close family) to be at mum’s side constantly for the past week, day and night. She passed away in her room at the Care Home where the term “care” was never more aptly applied. We cannot thank them enough from the cheerful laundry lady, the smiling cleaners, cooks, reception and office staff and the wonderful carers and nurses. Each person treated mum and us with kindness and dignity and humour. Mum made a good choice. We were blessed with a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother and we have a lifetime of memories and photographs to treasure in the months and years ahead. No tears, no regrets, just gratitude for a woman who taught us how to live life to the full.

I returned home to feed Poddy Lamb and find that Cummings had given birth to triplets. One was stillborn but the boy and girl seem fine. The cheeky twins below were sneaking into and out of the goat barn