Fresh Air

al fres·co (adverb or adjective):  taking place in the open air (or in the fresh air).

The air in Harare has been particularly fresh this week with thunderstorms very afternoon or evening, sometimes both.  The roads have fared less well and Harare's well known network of potholes has grown bigger.

March 1, 1917 in Russia was the worst day of all for the ruling regime.  The Tsar, on his way back to his Winter Palace at Tsarskoe Selo from the frontline at Mogiliev, was turned back by revolutionary units as his train approached St Petersburg, and was forced to spend the night at Pskov.  However, by then, the guard regiment at the Palace was in process of deserting to joined the mob and, when he did eventually arrive, six days later, he was taken into custody.  Negotiations within the Tsar's close circles went on through the night, trying to find a settlement acceptable to the Tsar, that would involve him giving up some of his powers to an elected assembly.  However, back in the streets and barracks, other structures of government were forming, that had no patience left for any ideas from the Tsar.