Rowan Tree and Red Thread

Yesterday I walked home from work in the rain and paused a moment on the new pedestrian bridge that crosses the north channel of the river Lee. The sheets of rain drove patterns into the surface of the river, sweeping upstream towards a weir, where the river ran rushing and shouting over the rocks in a mumbled chorus. I was listening to "Passing By" by Ulrich Schnauss, which seemed dreamily appropriate to the moment of rushing water, chattering rain and water making patterns in water.

A good moment.

Some of you may remember that my good lady sammywol is pregnant and we're expecting an expansion to our family for early March. We went today to the obstetrician for another check and more discussion about the big vaginal/c-section choice. For her first pregnancy, sammywol was induced, failed to progress and delivered Rowan via an emergency c-section. This time we and the obstetrician are all together in wanting to avoid a repeat of that and have been talking about scheduling a caesarian. Today's examination didn't settle the question; we're going back again next Thursday and will see. If things are looking 'good to go' no c-section will be needed, we hope. If not, it's likely a caesarian delivery on the Friday.

It could be just 8 days to go then. I'd better tell my boss, right?