This has been a dreary Novemberish day. There have been a few snowflakes in the air, but nothing stuck. There was just a trace of snow in my measuring tube this morning, but nothing on the ground to measure. It's altogether too soon to be shoveling off the deck and measuring snow depth! The temperature was mostly been in the 30s - I think it got to about 39F late this afternoon, but now it's headed down again.
     I heard from Homer Fitts today. He's doing pretty well, he said, and has moved to The Gardens senior living apartments in Williamstown. Homer said he was fortunate to be able to get in, and feels good about being there. In case anyone wants to send him a note or visit, his address is at The Gardens, Apt. 309, and the address is 2844 VT RT14, Williamstown, VT 05609. His phone there is 802-249-4653.
     He said he still misses Joe's Pond, so I'm sure he'd love to hear from anyone here. He didn't say if he has his computer hooked up, and I forgot to ask, but I expect he does - or will have it going soon.
     So the geese are heading south, the other critters that hang out all winter are storing food for the winter. Black bears are on the move this time of the year storing up as much fat as they can by eating nuts, berries and wetland roots. They have a keen sense of smell and hear very well, so normally you would not see them - they are usually shy around humans unless they have found human food, and then they can be pests and often have to be destroyed. Their eyesight isn't very good, but even so, they will know you are around before you spot them, usually. It's always best to give them plenty of space if you do come across one. 
     We recently heard of a couple of instances of cars hitting bears on the highways - one in Waterford, as I recall, and another in the southern part of the state. Try to be extra observant, especially on the interstate. We have moose, deer and bears wandering about this time of the year especially - along with raccoons and skunks - that are often trying to cross the highway, especially at night. 
     The same is true on our back roads, but usually we aren't traveling as fast as on the throughway, so we have a better chance of avoiding a collision with wild animals. Still, it can happen when you least expect it - day or night.
     One of the facts we're trying to find out for the West Danville history is when the railroad station was removed in West Danville, and what happened to it. Did someone buy it, or was it hauled off to a dump someplace? If anyone knows, send me an email - janebrowncabot@gmail.com.