Wintersweet and Reading Aloud

Here is Chimonanthus praecox, another of my favourite  winter flowers for scent, appropriately  named Wintersweet.  The specimen in my garden isn't a particularly spectacular form but it makes up for it with the interesting -looking and fragrant flowers.  
This morning we did the Big Garden Bird Watch, recording the birds which visited our garden over the course of an hour. We had miserable results, possibly because one of our fences had had  to be replaced very recently as it was rotten, and  we lost the heavy growth of ivy in which it was  enveloped, which provided important cover for birdlife. Another reason  might have been our neighbours' enormous black  cat, whose presence only became apparent to us when he  nonchalantly emerged  from the end of the garden, soon after the hour had passed. I guess he had  also been carrying out his own garden birdwatch!  Our tally was 3 Starlings, 8 House Sparrows, 2 Wood Pigeons, 2  Robins , 2 Blue Tits, 1 Black bird and 1 Greenfinch. At least we still have a healthy population of House Sparrows.

The highlight of my day was visiting my Mother. Sue, one of the activities   organisers had arranged for interested residents to read aloud, the comedic  play, "When we are Married " by JB Priestley, in three sessions over the week. I arrived to find about a dozen residents each wearing    appropriate headgear, and each with a script,   sitting around a table set up with props for a silver wedding anniversary  party ( iced fruit cake, wine and beer glasses, and empty cans, celebratory cards,) and  fully engaged in the play under Sue's gentle direction.
My mother, Doris, had been very well cast as Maria Helliwell, and she was  completely absorbed in her part, announcing to her husband Joe Helliwell,  "I'm going back to my Mother's !" and telling her perceived love rival, " You had better  start thinking now about tomorrow's dinner as he likes a hot meal, and is very particular about his food!" delivered word perfect , and with frightening feeling.
Today's session was supposed to be the final one, but despite lasting  well over an hour,  leaves the concluding  few pages unread, so they will need a further session to finish. I don't think any of the players  will mind!     
I was delighted and quite  moved to see Doris so animated and obviously enjoying  herself, with other like- minded people.  It was such  inspired thinking on Sue's behalf to organise the play reading; I'm going to write to thank her.