Frosty Mornings

We've had another lovely sunshiny day, but our nights and early mornings are frosty now. Any tender plants left out last night took a hit, I'm sure. I don't know what the low temperature last nigh was - I really didn't want to know. The ground was white with frost when I first looked out (not the first white frost, but this one seemed heavier), and by the time I got myself pulled together and out in the kitchen, I had other things on my mind and forgot to look at the thermometer. I'll try to do better tomorrow morning.

I had a birthday this past week - no need to tell you which one, we all know that I'm getting up there. This year was a bit different because of my knee injury, but it was very pleasant. I've had lots of cards and messages, and I thank everyone for that - I'll try to reach out by email soon to each of you - and the group of Joe's Pond friends that have shared birthdays for the past couple of years brought lunch for me on Wednesday. It was great fun, and we had cupcakes with candles - which was a problem at first because I couldn't find any matches! Then we found some book matches, but they were so old they would not light! Then I remembered that I had a stash of wooden matches, and although they were probably just as old, they were still good! So we had lighted candles! 

Dotty brought a beautiful bouquet from her garden, and Cynthia brought zucchini bread (that I didn't share!), we had sandwiches from Marty's, Burtt's cider, and BBQ chips. Perfect lunch, good company, and I had a great time. As usual, we took a "selfie" (above), and a merrier group would be hard to find! They shooed me out of the kitchen with my cumbersome walker, and waited on me throughout, so all I had to do was eat and enjoy. It couldn't have been nicer. Such good friends, and good times.

In spite of the frosty start of the day, the divers and their support crew were out harvesting milfoil again today. I think they are going above and beyond - a nice way of saying I think they are nuts. Even with wet suits, hands and faces are exposed, and that water is getting colder every night! They are all very dedicated, but not only is the water pretty darned cold, there was a brisk wind today, and that must have been uncomfortable for the support team on board the pontoon boat, as well. Time to call it a day, perhaps? The milfoil will still be there in the spring, guys, and if I recall, experts say growing season is over about now. As the old saying goes, "you don't want to catch your death or never-get-over." 

I was out on my porch earlier in the week when the afternoon sun was keeping things toasty, like summer. As I sat in my recliner, the pungent smell of damp, decaying leaves wafted over me from the wooded area above my house, and I found myself remembering fall weather when I was a youngster going to school on Cabot Plain. The road was lined with bushes and trees on both sides along the "flat" between the school house and where my house was. There were a few remnants of old stone walls on the end closest to the school, and chokecherry bushes and hazelnut bushes growing there. It was a game to eat chokecherries and see how far we could spit the seeds - the more berries we ate, the more puckered our mouths felt, but kids don't pay attention to that when there is a competition going on. 

Collecting the hazelnuts was a different story. We took those to one of the flat rocks on the old stone wall and peeled back the outer, prickly husk, and then carefully hit the hard nut inside with a smaller stone just hard enough to crack the shell and not crush the meat inside. They were so good! We knew which ones were ripe enough to eat, and often I would pick extras to take home, husk and let dry and age. They are even better with age. 

It's strange what seemingly lost memories return with a whiff of fall! As I half dozed in my chair, a bluejay screamed loudly as he flew from one maple tree to another. Another sound of fall, and again I was transported back in time and remembered how I hated having to get dressed up every day and go to school when we had those beautiful, warm fall days. I much preferred shorts and sandals to dresses, shoes, and socks, but come September, I marched off to school like every other kid in the neighborhood. I don't think any of us wanted to be there, but we definitely made the best of it - especially during recess! 

Enjoy what remains of our fall, wherever you are, and be happy and safe. 

 

JPA Isn't Seasonal!

 This is a beautiful fall day here at the edge of the Northeast Kingdom! We have had exceptionally warm days (and nights) but no rain. However, tonight we are looking forward to the first soaking rain we've had in a long time. We might get a couple of inches! That should help the water table, but may not be enough unless we get more again soon. Everything is parched.

The foliage has been very spotty this year. I have some nice color around my house, but really only a couple of maples. Most of the maples and other trees are dulled by the heat and dust, and the leaves have either already fallen, or they are showering down quickly in today's breeze.  Fall Foliage Week had very nice weather, and that was a plus for everyone, even if the foliage wasn't up to the usual spectacular standards. Jamie filmed a parade in Groton for KATV last weekend and shared it with me. The parade is interesting, and he added some wonderful fall pictures at the end, taken on his way home that day and a few more on our ride Sunday, so if you are missing seeing nice scenery, check it out. I was impressed with the parade - it had lots of floats and I'm sure the tourists loved it, as well as the locals. 

Even though many of our summertime friends have left Joe's Pond for their winter homes, our Joe's Pond Association Board of Directors is still looking out for us and keeping us in the loop. Here is a recent message from JPA President, Joe Hebert: 

 As many of you will recall, a discussion and subsequent vote regarding the July fireworks was held at our fall meeting on August 30th. At that time the cost of the display for 2026 was unknown. The result of the vote was to proceed with the fireworks with the added stipulation that our expenditure not exceed  $15,000.  A question was posed that if the cost exceeded $15,000 could private donations be used for the difference. This concept had been proposed in 2024 for a potentially larger show.  At that time, the board of directors unanimously agreed that all donations be used to offset and not supplement any expenses. The board's recommendation was then presented at the following meeting and accepted by the members. This position was reiterated prior to the vote at the August fall meeting.

 Last week we learned that the cost for 2026 fireworks would increase from $13,000 to $20,000 which is essentially $1,000 per minute. The board of directors discussed the situation and felt that it is absolutely imperative to honor the vote of the members. Doing otherwise is not an option. Consequently we have notified the vendor of our intention to cancel the fireworks.

Parting with tradition is always difficult,  but it is essential we adapt to the current environmental and financial times. Moving forward perhaps we can collectively find another way to celebrate our nation's birthday.

Joe Hebert

President  JPA

I'm sure we will find some other way to celebrate the Fourth of July. There are always lots of individuals who manage to put on a pretty decent fireworks display, and I expect there will be plenty of celebration going on without a professional display. Joe's Ponders are creative and will come up with something fun to do that will involve everyone one the pond and in the surrounding communities. With solar generated lights available, we could have a pretty decent boat parade that night, with boats and homes decorated with lights. Those who are ordinarily out on the water to watch the fireworks would make an impressive "parade" of watercraft moving slowly around the pond - complete with lights and music (and probably an occasional firework burst!). Our boat parades in the 1970s and early 1980s  used to be during the daytime, and that was always fun, but it got to be lots of work and it was difficult to find someone to organize it. Anything worthwhile usually involves some work - and Joe's Ponders are willing and able to figure this out and put in the work. We have an enthusiastic younger generation who will think of something, I bet!

Our Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) saga has been well documented through the process of first discovery to a variety of methods trying to control it. As you travel along Route 2 past the first pond, you will notice lots of small markers in the water. Those are marking where milfoil has been identified. Our efforts to control it have been legendary, but the fight isn't over, by any means. There is still a lot to do, and although the weather has allowed some activity this late in the season, the water is cooling and divers will need to stop their work until next spring. In the meantime, here is an interesting article that appeared in the North Star Monthly recently: WEED WARS.

On a personal note - I'm still somewhat restricted in movement and using a walker, but making good progress with my knee healing well, I think. I will have a follow-up appointment next Monday and hopefully will be able to begin moving/bending my knee more  - and maybe graduate to using just a cane. I  understand this is a long process, but everything seems to be going well, and although I get tired, there is little or no pain - as long as I don't do anything stupid. I want to thank all the friends who have sent messages, cards, phoned me, and stopped by offering help and encouragement. I love all of you, and thank you for thinking of me. Your concern is very appreciated, and I won't hesitate to call on you if I need to!

Enjoy the nice weather - and especially the coming rain. So many of our neighbors are out of water, this will be a welcome relief, hopefully. Everyone in our area has been warned to conserve water if they still have it, and Cabot Fire Department is providing water for those who no longer have it in their homes. This is very unusual, and not the way we want to head into winter. Hopefully, November will be a really wet month! 

 

Catching Up!

Here I am, back home and recouping from surgery to repair the torn quadraceps ligament on my right knee on Tuesday. Everything went very well and it was a good experience all the way. The team at NVRH are exceptional - all the times I've had to go there for any procedure, I've never had a bad experience. On Tuesday everyone was so kind and considerate - like Jamie told Marie later, "I think Mom almost had fun!" And of course he was on hand to take pictures of me when I'm obviously at my worst. He took one right after the operation when they had most of the stuff detached from me and finally fed me. I never had peanut butter and jelly muffins and coffee taste so good!

I went prepared to stay overnight, but everything went perfectly and since I'd already had two weeks' practice using a walker and keeping that injured knee from bending, I was good to go after Pam from PT checked me out in various maneuvers. It was really good to get settled in my recliner - Jamie and Marie helped me get situated (and here I am, back in my chair) and I was fine. The next morning I couldn't believe how good my knee felt. However, by bedtime, I was hurting - everywhere, so I spent most of that night in my recliner. From that point on I've had steady improvement - but I've also been very careful not to overwork that knee and leg. Now I'm quite comfortable with it extended, of course; and when I walk and put weight on it, there is a bit of pain, but that is very mild and each day gets a bit better. However, when I have a crazy idea like going down the steps to recycle stuff in the garage, I just don't do it. I do think about it - but it isn't worth the risk.

I've had lots of company - people in and out to get things ready for when I'm REALLY old and unable to get around. Adapting a home for handicapped living is pretty interesting. However, I know what this is all about: The three boys got together and decided nobody wants to have Mom come live with them! We laugh about that, but I think it would be as difficult for me as it would be for them. And while this is just a minor glitch - I'll be good as new in no time - there may be a time later when I'll need all these accommodations. And in the meantime, I intend to enjoy them!

Actually, the doctor found evidence of an old injury in my knee that he said might have been the reason it gave out on me so suddenly. And goodness knows, I've had a few wrenches and tumbles over the years, falls from bikes, horses, skiing, and one really bad sliding accident when I was in my 20s. I was with a bunch of adults on a big traverse sled going down Pinkham Hill from the Cabot Plains School house to Brickett's Crossing Road and around that corner past Deeper Ruts Road. The traverse was loaded so heavily that the front man couldn't steer it so we swiped a snowbank at a pretty high rate of speed. It ended our sledding that night, and I was lame for days afterward, but went to work as usual the following day and never saw a doctor. It could have happened then. That was decades ago. But I'm properly repaired from this fall and doing fine now.

The weather is still beautiful, but so very dry. I keep hearing about more people, neighbors, who are out of water - some folks living at Joe's Pond are either out or very low, and that is not good when winter is coming at us in a few more weeks. I just hope we get some real meaningful rain next week. The forecast has rain beginning Tuesday through Thursday - but I haven't heard if it will be a gentle mist that almost evaporates before it hits the ground, or a good old downpour. In the meantime, there is foliage still, but it hasn't been as brilliant around my house as most years. I've lost lots of leaves, and those that are left are just dried and brown. It only takes a little wind to rip them off the trees. It's still pretty, but just a lot more browns than usual. Enjoy, and be well.

All the time I was away from my computer, I kept thinking about the link Jamie sent me of the very nice program at the Danville train station a bit over a week ago and I didn't get a chance to post. KATV recorded it, so click HERE to see that. I haven't looked at it yet, but I did see a little of the proceedings on WCAX at the time. Nice job, everyone. I know lots of people have worked really hard to make this happen.
 

This and That

 

Sorry about resending the Oops blog post. It got caught up in my drafts and I hit "send" by mistake. It was sent (I think) soon after I tripped and ripped my knee ligament. If not, I still apologize for being a clutz on the computer as well as just walking around. 

The good news is that we have received 1.46 inch of rain in the past few days. Not nearly enough, but even that slight amount will help. Some areas got more, but that's what I measured this morning. I have not been sending regular reports since I injured my knee two weeks ago. Too risky (and painful) going on the porch to empty the measuring tube. But this morning I felt adventurous and got out there and back with my walker just fine. I just need to remember to concentrate on what I'm doing, move slowly, and plan ahead.

I saw Dr. Prohaska in St. Johnsbury yesterday. I have a torn quadriceps that will require surgery to repair. That will put me back to where I was,with both the pain and healing process, two weeks ago, but this time, I'll know it is mending correctly (hopefully!) and will be strong. Without the operation, it would mend, he said, but would never be dependable and I would likely fall again. Can't have that. I go for surgery Tuesday, and will stay overnight, then begin the healing process all over again, but with PT. It is going to take months to get back to normal. I guess it's good that we are heading into winter - I won't feel so bad about not being able to do everything I'd like. Maybe. I know I haven't enjoyed being so sedentary - and I will actually welcome doing some physical therapy to strengthen those muscles. I feel like I've lost some overall mobility by being so sedentary these past two weeks. I wish I had been able to see Dr. Prohaska right away - and it might have been better for doing the procedure, as well. He said there is a short window of time to get it done and I'm presently almost past that, thus the quick surgery schedule. 

The autumn colors are showing nicely now. The rain brought out a depth of color and trees are turning almost as we watch. Every day I see more color around my house - and also more leaves on the ground. My hawthorn tree is shedding its leaves quickly. A little wind will probably strip it. The maples seem to be holding on better, and they are brilliant. 

I missed Sherry LaPrade's birthday celebration when friends took her out for lunch in Stowe today. Diane sent me this photo - left to right, Sherry, Dotty, Cyndi, and Diane. They had a good time - went to the "Roost" at The Topnotch Resort. My birthday is the next in the group, in October, but goodness knows what shape I'll be in! I don't think I will be up for going out to eat. We will need to think of something else, like pizza at my house, maybe?! 

Tomorrow evening I'm looking forward to a turkey dinner from Cabot. This is the Fall Foliage/Cheese & Culture weekend in Cabot. Lots going on. Jamie and Marie are picking up dinners for all of us. I always look forward to Cabot's turkey dinners; I also really like the chicken-pie supper at the North Danville Baptist church, but not this year. It's unfortunate they are both on the same night. Last year Diane and I got both so we had both turkey and chicken dinners to look forward to. Actually, holding either of those over for a day or two only enhances the flavors for me. Everything is always really, really good. Especially since I haven't roasted either a chicken or a turkey in literally years! Covid changed a lot of things, and then for Diane and me, losing husbands really changed the way we do things. Living by yourself, it's hard to use up a whole bird of any kind - and for me, at least, putting together a big meal even for my family or friends is just too much work. 

Take care, all, watch your step and stay upright! (Do as I say, not as I DID!) I can think of better ways to get lots of attention!

Engineers At Work

It's getting chillier each night now, and critters are doing their thing to survive the coming winter. Part of that process is sometimes annoying to humans, especially when they are left with either a miss of brush or their favorite young tree is neatly toppled. Beavers are building dams in order to keep reasonable water levels where they live, and restocking their ponds with tender branches to munch on during the winter. Unfortunately, they found the small grove of small trees between the Ricker and LaGue homes on Joe's Pond had just what they were looking for. Here's what Sue LaGue wrote to me earlier: 

 I wanted to tell you and pass on that the Rickers and LaGues have had a busy beaver chewing trees along our shoreline. It leaves the branches and leaves a mess. I could live with that but then it felled a poplar near our sheds. I've called Fish and Wildlife and talked with a Warden what we could do. Basically, it's all on us to try putting wire fencing around trees it might like, poplar, birch, beech. Otherwise, we could hire a trapper or try to get it ourselves. I wondered if others are having a problem. Beavers come out after dusk but with the low water it has found ways to climb my bank. If you see branches or sticks with eaten bark, it's what this beaver or beavers have left behind. I've already taken one load to the stump dump. I'm not sure what we will do but I hope it doesn't keep moving up the property to fell more trees.

Photos from Sue show the beavers' work. 

 Beavers have chosen that area before - there must be something special about the saplings along that little brook. It's difficult to know why they cut certain trees and not others, but I'm sure there is a reason. They are clever critters. Understandably, during droughts beavers become stressed. They are in danger of losing their habitat, so they are inclined to build more dams and cut more tender young trees to store for food to prepare for winter. There was a time when there were very few beavers left in Vermont - they were trapped in the very early settlement days because their pelts were valuable for men's hats - the fine stovepipe style worn by many gentlemen in Europe. Once the beavers were gone, former watersheds went dry and the natural ecology suffered. We now have them back, and it's a balancing act to protect our property such as prize trees or our land along a brook they decide to dam, while letting them do what comes naturally to them for their survival - and the survival of wetlands, in many instances. 

The best solution is probably to get out some wire and wrap the trees that are precious on your property - and maybe they will carry off some of the brush if it is left in place. If they don't, it will provide habitat for other wildlife this winter and you can assess the situation again in the spring. Sue - good luck!

Just a quick note on our weather - last night the temperature dropped to 34 degrees at my house, and I believer it is expected to go below that tonight. I have all my plants inside except some geraniums and straggly petunias that were in hanging pots. I've covered them, and if the forecast is correct, we may get warmer weather after this weekend. But it's time to think about buttoning up for winter! 

 

Shuffling Along

I'm moving at a very reduced pace these days since taking a header last Saturday and twisting my knee. I'm still waiting to see an orthopedist, no available appointments until next week. I hope I'll be much better by then and maybe won't need to keep the appointment. However, right now, I'm pretty sure I'm never going to heal! It hurts if I move it wrong - and getting comfortable at night is really difficult. I like to curl up on my side to sleep. I may have to resort to sleeping in my recliner - I have great naps there, so why not just camp there for the night! I'll figure it out, but in the meantime, I love to complain to anyone who will listen. I'm not a happy camper being sidelined like this.

I do love this nice weather, but I'm thinking it's time to bring my house plants inside - the nights are going to get into the 30s and 40s very soon, so I am hoping to get that done perhaps tomorrow. All three boys will be working at camp in the morning, and with luck I can persuade one of them to take a few minutes to haul those heavy plants inside for me.I think I've successfully bribed Bill to do it - promising him an egg salad sandwich for lunch.

I read in the Caledonian Record that a former Joe-s Pond resident, Betty Chase, passed away recently. Some of you will remember that Betty once owned the Joe's Pond Country Store in West Danville. That was probably in the 1980s or early 1990s - hard to remember exactly when. It was before either Ned and Marcia Moran or Jeff Downs owned it. I can't remember if Betty owned it before or after Dick and Terry Larrabee, but I believe she came after them. That building was a country store for many, many years, going back to when Mary Rodgers owned it and her husband, Earl, had a garage in the north end. They lived upstairs - their businesses provided important services in  West Danville back in the day. I found these two photos of that building in my files, the top one was taken probably in the mid-1900s and is from a collection at the Danville Historical Society; the second one was taken about 2013, I think. That building (where Nacho Mama cafe is) certainly looks a lot different today!

My knee says I'm about at my limit sitting at my desktop computer. I need to get it up and a little rested before I begin putting supper together. So, enjoy tomorrow's unusually warm weather- another day like today, according to the forecast. This long, warm, dry stretch has been nice, but we so need some rain! A good steady rain for two or three days or more would help. That said, I know we must be careful what we wish for. I'm presently writing for the Cabot Chronicle about the Molly's Falls Dam in the community of Petersville (an archaic name for a group of farms, homes, and a mill site on the lower Molly's Brook, near the Marshfield town line),  and the new dam that had not yet completely filled to capacity when the 1927 rains came in November, resulting in one of Vermont's worst floods.The new power plant was the only one able to produce power in the area and kept electricity flowing to the hospitals in Barre and Montpelier. By the way, if you aren't a Cabot resident and would like to subscribe to the Cabot Chronicle for $20/yr., contact Jeannie Johnson, editor. You'll enjoy lots of Cabot news and find it is a great place to locate businesses and services in our area. Stay healthy, happy, and upright!

 

 

An Oops! in My Life

My sons couldn't help themselves, they had to photograph Mom when she was at her worst. Saturday I was getting ready to start a sewing project at the sewing machine in my basement and after putting something away, I turned too quickly, caught my foot on something or stumbled - not sure what I did - and went down. I landed on concrete, but it wasn't a particularly hard fall, so fortunately I didn't break anything. However, I twisted my knee and boy, did it hurt!!! I fumbled my phone and left messages for my kids, and then realized that my knee was pretty painful and probably I needed more than an assist to get up. I called 9-1-1. The ambulance crew arrived in about 15 minutes and by the time they got me ready to load on the ambulance, all my kids arrived in time to help and see me off. Marie and Theresa followed me to the hospital, but not before Bob got this photo. Of course, they had me laughing so it looks like I'm way happier than I really was. My leg didn't (and sill doesn't) hurt as long as it was supported and straight out - so no big emergency. After X-rays at Central Vermont (NVRH is being refurbished and they are only accepting "real" emergencies) the doctor said it was probably a torn ligament or something else, gave me instructions and made a referral to an orthopedist in St. J. The girls brought me home with a support cast and I'll see an orthopedist in St. J. whenever I can get an appointment. In the meantime, I'm getting around with a walker, doing fine, and it's mostly just an inconvenience with only a little pain if I move wrong or if I stand or go without having it elevated for long. Therefore,I'm spending lots of time in my recliner, and having fun answering emails and texting with friends and family and not feeling guilty! So that's it for now.

I've been urged to share the above picture that middle son, Bob, took! My first ride in an ambulance. I have high praise for the three young women who came on the ambulance. That is Veronica standing beside me and Jean with her back to the camera. The "other Veronica" at the far right was the driver. All of them were kind, efficient, and knew their stuff.They are good at their jobs!