Dear Readers,

I have been away from my little journal for about a week. I think I caught the flu while traveling back from Yokohama. The old woman who sat next to me on the jet liner caughed incessiantly. Since I have returned I have stayed in my bed. I have slept nearly the whole period for five days and nights.

Today I could sit up a little and watch a little television and just now I am trying to catch up with my journal. Hopefully I will be well for next week.

I am afraid that all of my plants are dead. I haven't watered them and it it has not rained then they will have wilted. It seems ironical that when I am sick it is sunny outside and when I am well it rains.

I have not thought about pens this week. I checked the Kamakura Pens Auctions, and Ron-san seems to be surviving without me. He listed a few more pens. We need to work a little more. We have more pens Incoming than Outgoing.

A few people have written e-mails to me. I will make a reply next week. Please forgive me.

Sincerely, Meg