It's cold this morning - I'm showing -5 on the back yard thermometer, and I think that is about as low as it got overnight.  Tonight will be colder - the temperature is going down throughout the day, according to the forecast.  We do have a bit of a wind, but I can't tell the direction - the gauge is jumping all over, from west to northeast to south and back.  Probably bouncing off the hill in back of our house, so it is likely predominantly from the northeast.

I received news from Homer Fitts that Margaret's sister, Mary Jane Plante, died recently.  Here is what Homer wrote yesterday (Friday):

HI -

    JUST WANT TO LET SOME OF MARGARET'S FRIENDS KNOW THAT HER SISTER, MARY JANE PLANTE, PASSED AWAY THIS AFTERNOON.    WE ARE TO THANKFUL THAT WE WERE HERE TO SPEND MANY DAYS WITH HER AT HER HOME AND THEN AT THE RESPITE HOUSE IN WILLISTON.    SHE IS NOW WITH THE LORD AND SHE LEFT VERY PEACEFULLY.

    THANKYOU FOR ALL YOUR LOVE AND PRAYERS FOR ALL OF US.

                        LOVE AND BLESSINGS,

                                                            HOMER

We didn't know Mary Jane, but Margaret has lots of friends here at Joe's Pond who will want to send condolences to her and Homer.  Their address is:  Mr. & Mrs. Homer Fitts, 17 Country Way, Barre, VT 05641.  

Our Rhode Island cousin, Ora, sent this picture of her amaryllis to cheer us up this cold weekend.  She said it opened a few days ago.  Makes us think of spring, doesn't it?

Stay inside if you can, and be careful if you must go outside.  Keep warm and safe.  This brief taste of winter is not sitting well with lots of folks.  I've heard various complaints that it's hard to keep up with the temperature swings and even some saying they prefer winter the old-fashioned way, cold in December and stay that way through March.  Except for a brief January thaw, of course.  I guess lots of us humans find it hard to adapt to the weather craziness we've had this year. The best advice I can come up with is - this is a good day to make a big pot of soup; any kind will do, but I like making "refrigerator soup" using whatever veggies and leftovers there may be hanging out in the fridge.  Throw in a can of kidney beans with some barley, noodles or rice, spice it up a little and enjoy hot soup for lunch!  It'll warm your gizzard.