It is my sad duty to inform you all of the loss of an important member of our household. Though technically neither human nor an official member of the homegroup I'm sure that you will all join me in mourning the loss of the blue "dolphin" kettle. Earlier today the kettle died courageously in the line of duty, we are not sure exactly how, but it appears that it, or should I say he, became overzealous in its activity of heating water and melted his own socket.

I know that this will come as a shock to many of you, the kettle has provided many hours of service in supplying us with water for hot beverages. Never complaining, always willing to serve in order that we might drink tea. He died so very very young, he was not yet even two years old, a tragic state of affairs. Things may be a little difficult for the time being, but life and tea drinking must go on. For now we are boiling water in a saucepan, soon it may become necessary to buy another kettle, fear not, the new kettle will not be a replacement of the old dolphin kettle, there is no way that he could be replaced, but I'm sure that he would not wish us to live in a world without tea. He died attempting to provide hot water for a drink, it would somehow make his sacrifice meaningless if we didn't drink tea, by drinking tea we can celebrate the life and service of the kettle.

Please be understanding with me in my time of grief, it is possible that I will find it too painful to make tea at homegroup next week, so volunteers are appreciated.

If you wish to send cards or flowers to the kettle then we will arrange them with him for his open casket viewing.

Oh and if anyone happens to have a kettle they want to give us that'd be nice too :-) Though I doubt we'll make it as long as even 24 hours without buying one.