New Duties

As you know, Kathi's been working at the US Embassy for a few months -- working in an "on-call" status in several different offices when they needed additional help or coverage for someone who was away. Now she's been asked to work for an extended period in the ambassador's office as a secretary until the position is filled permanently.

Theatrical Update

We continue to enjoy the wonderful London theater scene. Since our last report we have seen three more stage plays. "Whose Life is it Anyway?" starred Kim Catrell (one of the stars, we understand, of the US TV show "Sex and the City") playing a young woman who has been paralyzed in a skiing accident. She did a very nice job of acting in a difficult role. As you might expect it is not a "lighthearted" show -- though a satisfying evening of theater.

On March 12th we attended (at the historic "Old Vic" theater) a presentation of "National Anthems", starring Kevin Spacey. In an effort to turn around falling attendance, the Old Vic hired Spacey about a year ago to be the theater's artistic director. He gets mixed reviews from the British critics, although there are those who say the negative comments tend to come from those who resent the bringing in of an American (horrors!) to run the oldest of British theaters. We, of course, don't know the real story on any of this. We can say that "National Anthems" was a really fine play and that Spacey (who starred in this one) did a fabulous job of acting. In fact, in the over 20 shows we've attended since our arrival here, it was only the second that's gotten a standing ovation at the end. (The other two actors -- Mary Stuart Masterson and Steven Weber (who was in the US sitcom Wings) also gave great performances.)

Yesterday, March 19th, we saw "Man and Boy" at the Duchess Theater. The star of this one is David Suchet who plays Agatha Christie's Belgian detective, Hercule Poirot in the most recent Poirot series (several other actors have played Poirot in other movies and series). Again, a well-known star delivered a very fine performance. This play, too, was one we found most worthwhile, though the ending was a bit tough for Americans who tend to want happy endings.

So, after eight months in London, we remain among the better customers of the Leicester Square half-price ticket booth.

Family Loss

Kathi's mother, Lucy Marie Mullin White, passed away on 21 January.

Marie had her share of life's difficulties. She lost her own mother when she was 13 -- and her father only 10 months later.

She met Kathi's dad, Ned White, at a dance where they bumped into each other while each was crossing from one side of the room to the other. They were married on Valentine's Day 1950.

Later the "White House" found itself occupied by Ned, Marie and their three daughters, Marlene, Kathlene and Susan. The loss of Marlene when she was 20 and of Sue when she was only 33 took their toll on Marie. Not too long after that it began to be clear that Marie's mental condition was deteriorating and for the last fifteen years or so she suffered from profound dementia and seemed to be totally withdrawn from the world around her, not recognizing others or able to speak, yet always seeming to still know Ned.

During all these years, Ned has cared for Marie at home -- in recent years with the help of Kathi's nephew, Shawn, and his wife, April, as well as part-time nurses.

On January 18th Marie was taken to the hospital with respiratory difficulties and she passed away on the 21st. We both flew back to Chesapeake for services and to spend some time with Ned and Shawn. We would ask for your prayers for us, for Shawn, and especially for Ned as he feels the loss of his partner of the last 55 years.