We all knew it would happen - winter, that is. Our prolonged spring-like fall is history. Tonight there is not only about six inches of snow hereabouts, the temperature has dropped below the zero mark and there's quite a wind out there tonight, too. This should thicken up the ice a bit and not only make lots of ice fishermen happy, but skiers, snowboarders and snowmobilers, too. There still isn't quite enough on the snowmobile trails, I expect, but at least it's a start and gives everyone hope there's more to come.

We were busy here today. As you all know, the view from our deck is constantly changing. We now have a view we've never had before. We had a truck load of hardwood logs delivered, and because there were power lines in the way of where we wanted the logs to be piled, we now have them on our front lawn. I'm sure they won't be there too long, though - Fred already has a good start sawing them up. Of course, once he's blocked the logs, he still has to split the blocks and stack it all to dry. In about a year it'll be ready to burn in our soapstone stove. Years ago when we were living at camp, we spent all our free time one fall cutting wood with another couple who were neighbors at the time. They had the truck and the know-how; we had strong backs and were willing to learn. At that time the State of Vermont allowed people to cut selectively in the state forests. I don't know if that's still true, but we hauled a lot of wood out of Groton State Forest that fall, and had great fun doing it. Doris and Harry told us that fall, "Putting up a wood pile warms you three times - when you cut it, when you pile it and when you burn it." After that year I think we had wood delivered - dried and perhaps even split. Now, 25 years later, Fred is an old pro in the woods and does it all. Well, I help some - I like to stack it.