Dear Mother and Father,
It has been a busy week, made all the busier by that busybody Jardic! It started out well enough, he actually did make that breakfast for Rua and me! He made catfish cakes and pancakes with blueberry jam, butter and cream and also toast with butter and marmalade and a hot pot of tea. It would have been lovely, if I hadn't had to wash up after him and Jardic's not really a very good cook. He put far too much salt in the catfish cakes and the pancakes, though the tea was good. I didn't dare say anything bad about anything though and Rua didn't seem to notice. I think all that smoking pipes has weakened Rua's tastebuds. How terrible would that be? To not be able to taste your food properly!
Later I went to the Michel Delving market and had a lovely time. There was music and dancing and master Simbo even danced with me and I spent so much silver! I bought some dye and some fish and some extra supplies and it was lovely. It didn't even matter that Jardic was there. He paid more attention to miss Acorne anyway, asking her about her favourite colour and he even bought a dress.
I'd thought he bought the dress for Miss Acorne since he asked her opinion about things so much, but one day during the week when I was at home, lying in my hammock, trying to compose a song, Jardic came out and presented me with the dress! As a thank you gift for letting him stay with us. He needn't have, but it was very kind of him. He made me promise to wear it on friday and asked me to dance with him again. Since I'd already said yes at the babywarming, I could hardly say no this time!
During the week a number of chickens were delivered to my door, courtesy of miss Lina. It was such a surprise! She must have taken my idea about chicken egg farming seriously. I got Rua to make a chicken coop for them and they now have the run of the yard and we have fresh eggs every morning, which is certainly a good thing with Jardic eating such a big breakfast every morning. It's a wonderful arrangement and I'm very grateful to miss Lina. I must find a way to thank her somehow.
On friday I went to Bywater to the Green Dragon Friday in the dress Jardic got me. Miss Tibba took charge of things since miss Lina was away and I must say she did a very good job of keeping order. Jardic played a few good dancing tunes though I did miss master Simbo terribly. He'd said at the market that he couldn't come, but what made me miss dancing with him so much is that when Jardic was dancing with me, he kept stepping on my feet. It was quite embarrassing. I just hope not too many other hobbits saw it. Miss Gelsumine was there and danced a bit as well and it was nice to see her as well as Miss Akelay and all the other familiar hobbits.
I must remember to write to miss Yidia about the LHC*, since she's showed an interest in getting her house redecorated.
your loving Zara
((*LHC = the Ladies' Housing Committee))
