We just came back from a very short snowshoe trip in our woods. I'm ashamed to admit this is the first time I've been out all winter. It seemed as if every day was either too bitterly cold (although I rarely suffer from the cold when I'm showshoeing!) or the snow was way too deep. Some winters we've been out from the very first snowfall and have paths that are good all winter as long as we get out there every few days to keep them open and packed, but this year we just never got out there.

Today the temperatures ranged from about 10 above (now) to 17 above when we started off about an hour ago. The sun is dropping fast and that makes a huge difference. The rain we had a couple days ago firmed up the snow pack and most of the way, even in the deep woods, there was a little crust under about 6-8 inches of light snow, and although the crust didn't actually hold us, we didn't sink to the depths which I'm guessing is at least three feet in the open and more where the wind has piled up the snow.

The top picture is a peak in the White Mountain range that we can see from our house. When the afternoon sun is on the mountains, we can see them plainly. Fred had the camera and was impressed with how clear and blue the sky was through the trees. He loves to take pictures of me when I'm struggling like coming up over that snow drift - it was a lot steeper than it looks in the picture! Fortunately, I have the last word when it comes to what pictures make it onto the blog.

For me it was lots of labor - and I don't like breathing that really cold air into my lungs, so although we were out about an hour, we didn't actually go very far. I never used to use poles, but for the last couple of years find they are a big help and make life much easier for me in the deep snow. Fred is in way better shape and has been out in the woods several times this year to get some of the wood piled there, so I was happy to let him go ahead to break trail.

The air was crisp and the sunshine bright and even warm with the trees sheltering us from a pretty brisk north wind. I got the camera for a little while and got a picture of Fred, but because he's usually breaking trail I have to call to him to get him to turn around. Otherwise I don't get a shot of his better side . . .

While I had the camera, I got a picture of a decaying tree stump. I like the lines and cracks where the weather has worn it away literally in layers. This one had broken off well above the ground and at least half of it was buried in the snow. It makes a nice home for for small animals or birds to nest. One year a partridge made her nest at the bottom of a stump similar to this on one of our paths. We didn't realize she was there and walked by her only about a foot from where she sat, dead still on the nest. After that we took a long detour around her, but a few weeks later we found partridge feathers on the ground and the eggs deserted, so we imagine something found her there.

We saw some animal signs today, but nothing unusual, and nothing fresh, just some rabbit tracks and where some turkeys had gone through along the hillside. The bunnies don't mind the deep snow as much, but I think the turkeys must have a really hard time getting around to find enough food when there's lots of snow. Larger animals like the deer and moose are pretty quiet now. Hopefully the winter hasn't been too hard on them, but I'm sure it hasn't been easy.

Not far above the house are some of our wood piles. Last fall we could barely reach to put the last of the wood on top, and today we could almost have stepped over them except for the ridge of snow on top. A week ago they were pretty well covered, but the warm days and rain, plus wind, carved away a lot of the snow.

Back home, our driveway has melted in spots where the sun hit today - a sure sign of spring! A few days ago it was covered with ice and you can see where Fred had spread sand so we could get up the hill into the garage.

A few minutes ago I had a call from Kitty Toll confirming the date for Danville Fair this year is Aug. 7-8. There had been some confusion, and earlier this week I was able to get in touch with Mert Leonard, town administrator in Danville, but I'd also left a message for Kitty and she was returning my call.

I'm also reminded that Mert's mother passed away last week. We've known Mert and his wife, Nancy, for many years and extend our sympathy to them and their family.

This collection of pictures came today from Jack Dowd. Joe's Pond ice fishermen, here's something to work for -Slides
I guess with all that super equipment a fish wouldn't have a chance . . . I think that's sonar in the TV corner . . . Sure is well equipped. Thanks, Jack, for sending those.

We were on I91 today - it was cloudy when we left here around 11 o'clock, but by the time we got to Fairlee the sun was breaking through the clouds, and in the Hanover/White River area it was actually spring-like. We took a few pictures to show you the difference in the snow cover. The first two pictures were in the Fairlee area - going down, and the third coming back just at sunset, about at Bradford, I think. I tried to get a shot of the Ox Bow in Newbury where the fields were flooded, but after a day on the road the window was pretty mud and water spattered, but perhaps you can see the water in the fields. That area is always under water around this time of the year, but we were a little surprised there was that much melting going on.

Then we got back to Joe's Pond and wanted to show you the snow bank at Craige's - remember the nice path they had tunnelled out about a week ago? It's completely gone. Filled in like it had never been there.

But even here there was some melting going on and a little water running here and there on streets and paved drives. According to WCAX, some large sugar makers started tapping in January in order to have all their trees done in time for the first run, and apparently they have made some syrup. They also said syrup is going to be very high this year - around $50. I just checked the Morse Farm web site, www.morsefarm.com and theirs is $59.95 a gallon. That's a lot. WCAX cited increased fuel costs as the reason the price is so high. I tried to check on the price our neighbors, Ruth and Glen Goodrich are charging this year, but they are having a new web site built and there was no information. I ran onto an article the AP did in 2006 about them you might like to see, though: Click Here

This might be a good year for us to get out the buckets and spouts and tap a few trees so we can make our own syrup again. Fred and I did that one year, in a make-shift sort of way. We tapped about a dozen trees, gathered the sap in pails, boiled it in the kitchen on the electric stove and the steam made the wallpaper peel off the walls and the electricity bill about doubled that month, but we made a little over a gallon of syrup, as I remember. I think it was about $12 a gallon in the stores back then, and it probably cost us way more than that but regardless of what that gallon we made cost, it was darned good and you can bet we used it sparingly. Once you realize how much work goes into something like that you appreciate it a whole lot more. We only did it that once, though - but we still have at least some of the buckets and spouts . . . I bet know what Fred would say if I suggested we try it again!

Here is the obituary for "Joe" Magne, Sherry LaPrade's father. Click Here

Again, we send our deepest sympathy to the LaPrade family. They have suffered two losses within the past week, which must leave everyone in a state of shock. Andre's mother passed away on February 18th, and Sherry's father on February 21st. Both had been in hospital for some time. We know how close the family is, and how much both these dear souls will be missed by their loved ones.

If you missed the notice about Andre's mother's passing, you will find a link by scrolling down this page to Tuesday's entry.

Messages may be sent to: Mr. and Mrs. Andre LaPrade, P.O. Box 15, West Danville, Vermont 05873.

Here's something pleasant to think about - Karen Cobb contacted me wondering when Danville Fair will be this year! She was questioning the date because on our "Events Schedule" for the Joe's Pond Association it's listed as Aug. 7-8; but when she clicked on the link to Danville's town site, it was posted there as July 31-Aug.1. We contacted Mert Leonard, town manager at Danville, and this morning he confirmed that it is August 7-8. They will change the information on their web site. I thought it was really nice, while we're surrounded by snow, to have a chance to jump ahead to the warm, wonderful days of summer and the Danville Fair. If some of you don't go to the fair when you're here at the pond, you're missing a truly fun event, so you should try to spend at least some time there, even if staying the whole day and into the evening doesn't appeal to you. We like to go in the evening, get some "fair food," see lots of folks we don't ordinarily run into, take in the entertainment, and close the place - except last year it began to rain a little before the BelAires finished playing, so we left. It's not supposed to rain on Danville Fair . . !

We're enjoying a lovely sunny day, with temps in the high 20's - finally!! If it gets above freezing (and it probably is where the sun strikes), our snow pack should settle a bit, and that would be nice. Right now it's pretty hard getting out onto roads from driveways - or even onto Rt. 2 from W. Shore Rd. because the banks of snow are so high. It's a good time to remember to take it easy for that reason. If someone happens to be coming out of a driveway or a plow is working there, it would be nearly impossible to avoid an accident if you're going too fast. At a time like that, it doesn't matter as much who has the right of way as it does that someone might get hurt. I've often thought periscopes would be nice to have on cars - and sensors that would slow you down if you were approaching an obstacle too fast. Actually, I think there is the latter - but I don't think the periscope has reached the market yet. The next best would be a very tall antenna with a flashing light . . . a flag would perhaps do, but I think the light would be better. That would get a driver's attention - especially if it was whirling blue . . . but perhaps I've been too long with the historic documents this morning. It's time for a break and some lunch.

Mrs. LaPrade's obit was posted at the Times Argus today:Click Here
Also, a brief notice about Joe Magne's death:Ckick Here

*****

We went to Cabot today to have the car inspected at the Cabot Garage. It was a short stop - Mike Cookson got it done right away. He has added a neat little waiting area at the back of the garage (see photo at right) where you can sit comfortably, have a cup of coffee and read a magazine while waiting. We wanted to take a look at the new snack bar at the back of Harry's True-Value Hardware, directly across the street from the garage. (That's the hardware store from where we parked at the back of the garage which is also where you park if you're going to the town clerk's office - Cabot is a really small town . . . )

The snack bar is pretty neat, too. Walt and Julie Ackermann have done a nice job of renovating the back of the store to accommodate a couple of tables and two counters - one for take-out and one for sitting a spell. We were there at about 2:30, and we didn't have a lot of time, so we didn't have anything to eat - Julie said we'd missed the rush. It is a very pleasant space, though, with windows along the back overlooking the river, although they are too high to be able to really see the river, but the hillside will provide a nice view for people sitting at the counter, whatever the time of year is. Right now the snowmobile trail comes off that hillside and crosses the river right at the end of the building, and there was some activity there while we were talking with Julie.

We stopped briefly at the town offices just to say "Hi" to our town clerk, Tara Rogerson, but we didn't see assistant clerk, Velma White. After we picked up the car we headed home and stopped on the Plain to take pictures of the snow. I've told you and shown you pictures of how much snow we have around our house - it's about 4 feet deep in most places. Up on Cabot Plain there are bare spots! The wind blows so hard up there the snow just drifts in certain spots and the ground is laid bare in other places. Very little snow in the cemetery, but big drifts where the snow plows have gone through. The top picture is right at the highest point in the road, looking at the Spaulding farm. The wind was whipping, as you can see. Fred took another picture looking towards the mountains, but we didn't want to have the car window down for very long and neither of us wanted to get out to take more pictures. The reading on our car thermometer was 13 degrees, and the wind must have been at least 35 m.p.h., which puts the wind-chill at around 10 below. Even with the sun shining, it wasn't the kind of day we wanted to linger outside on that pinacle.

We had noticed on our way to Cabot the driveway at the new house Erika and Bob Burke built was completely blocked by snow. When we came back, we could see a plume of snow being sent up by a really big snow blower.
The driveway wasn't completely cleared, but you can see by this picture it would take an industrial size machine to make it up through all that snow. I wonder how the Burkes feel about living on Cabot Plain now . . . ?

We continued up to the farm where I grew up. Of course things are different there now, but looking at all the snow and drifts, I remembered my grandmother saying my grandfather couldn't have found a colder, windier place to farm if he'd searched all of Vermont.

Well, that's my report for today. I just had a call from my cousin, Marilyn(Bolton) Perrin, telling me how much she and David are enjoying the DVD, "Cabot Vermont in Photographs." She grew up in Cabot and takes a great interest in it still, but I really appreciated her call. She also mentioned that there were a couple of duplications on it, but said with 700 pictures to manage, it was ok that I got one or two in twice.

Diane Rossi sends the picture on the right and writes:

Boy, this is getting old....the giraffes are drowning!!

We've survived the latest snow storm very well - no big deal here, we didn't even lose power. Actually, it didn't amount to much except we had lots of wind and gained about 18 inches of new snow. Today it seems to be winding down, but still snow in the air - or maybe it's snow being blown around, it's hard to tell. The sun has tried to break through a few times, but without much success. The temperature remains in the teens - a little colder than it was earlier in the day. I have made a slide show of snow pictures. We're tired of looking at snow, but some of you may enjoy seeing what we've been dealing with on a daily basis . . .

Last night I just stuck the camera out of the bedroom window into the storm (the first two pictures). The rest were taken this morning. Snow pictures

Tom Dente e-mailed me this morning to let me know that Sherry LaPrade's father, Joe Magne, passed away on Saturday. It was only a few days before that Andre's mother died. So sad for everyone. We don't have much information on arrangements for either Mrs. LaPrade or Mr. Magne, but I'll post that as soon as it's available. If you wish to contact Sherry and Andre, you can send messages to their Vermont address, P. O. Box 15, W. Danville Vt. 05873, and mail will be forwarded to them in Florida.

I rec'd this nice message today from Mrs. James Craige:

Hi, Jane!

Tucky Sancibrian down in the Carolinas let us know our "tunnel" had made the Joe's Pond blog, so we had to send you a copy of our own pictures of the tunnel - that's our 5-year-old daughter, Ellis, and also Jim, "modeling" with the tunnel! BTW, while I can't say we've had the pleasure of meeting the Covell's canine, Angus, we know for sure our 7-year-old son, Angus, would be thrilled to make his acquaintance this summer! :-) We had a wonderful long Valentine's weekend at our beloved Joe's Pond, with skiing at Burke Mtn. on Saturday and a Valentine's dinner party with my family from Barre. Our 2-year-old daughter, Parker, delighted in watching the snow mobiles dart across the pond, and the highlight for Jim was walking with the kids all the way out to Sunken Island and back. Who says Joe's Pond is a summer vacation destination? We love it year-round!

All the best,

Leslie Day Craige

New York, NY

Here are the three Craige children, Angus, Parker and Ellis as they appeared on this year's Christmas card. That looks like the woods at their Joe's Pond cottage in the background.

Isn't it great how news travels between friends? Thanks for alerting the Craiges, Tucky - I know you read the blog regularly. And thanks Leslie and Jim for sending the photos. I expect your tunnel is now filled back in with snow . . . next time we're down that way, perhaps we can get another picture for you!

I know Val and David would be happy to have you stop in this summer. They have several other dogs and some horses, too, so it will be great fun for you. The Covells live on Brickett's Crossing Rd, probably about a mile and a half from the Craige's, and also, the cattle will probably be in the pasture across from the big field, just past our house where the Wright's horses are, again this summer. That makes for a very interesting stop - the cattle are very vocal, and the horses are always happy when someone stops. Don't touch the fences, however - they are electric and can give you a bit of a zap.

I'm listening to the road crews winding down their plowing efforts in the area. They may need to be out again tonight, but some of them have been out there for long hours so will be going home for a bit of rest. It's already been a long winter for those guys, and there's still at least another 4-6 weeks to come . . .

Well, there's more snow today! I think we've gained about six inches more in the past couple of days. The warm days last week had settled the snow somewhat, but it shows just under 3.5 ft. at my stake - and the wind does hit that spot a bit sometimes, so I expect in lots of places the snow is deeper. Today we're getting the nice big, fluffy flakes that just seem to float. Earlier we had quite a bit of wind, but that seems to have died down now. My thermometer is reading only 14 degrees - I expected it to be warmer today, but perhaps that will come later.

Diane Rossi sent me the following message with these pictures. Click on them to make them larger.

I went for a snowshoe yesterday, and took these pictures.  As you can
see, the drifts over on the east shore (that's Buttura's, first picture) are lots
bigger than here, and there doesn't seem to be as much snow on the roofs.....it's windier over there!

Thanks, Diane. For those of you who may not be familiar with Joe's Pond, the west shore of the lake has a steep hill rising on the opposite side of the road from the cottages, and that protects them from the wind. It also gives late afternoon shade. On the east side, where Diane found the wind-swept roofs and drifts, the full force of the winds out of the west and north hits. There is little to break the force of the wind as it sweeps out of Canada. Joe's Pond is at an elevation of 1551 ft., so it catches weather other areas don't, and the wind can really whip down the length of the pond. It's well known that there's always wind in West Danville - sometimes, in mid-August, it might be just a breeze, but in the winter it's almost always blowing a gale.

I haven't much to report about the Ice-Out Contest yet. I heard from Homer Fitts yesterday that Channel 7 at Lyndon State College will be here on March 10th to film something about the contest. I've alerted Ray Richer so we might have the flag out, but it's really early - he usually doesn't put it out until about the last week in March. No point, really, the flag can get blown over or buried in snow if we put it out too early - or could be a hazard for snow machines and ice fishermen. There is absolutely no visible sign of melting going on - but things could be happening under all the ice and snow as the sun moves higher warming the earth. It won't be long, though. In another two or three weeks we'll begin to see some real melting going on - I hope!

In the meantime, the only real report of ice dept I've had so far is that a fisherman told them at Hastings Store the ice is deeper than his auger, which would be over three feet, I'd guess. Jane Larrabee said she'll ask some of the regular fishermen when they come in, and that should give us a more accurate depth to report.

Our nephew, Dean, sent this to us:
At a meeting of the AARP (American Association of Retired People) they showed a video that was submitted in a contest by a 20-year-old. The contest was Titled "u @ 50".

This video won second place. When they showed it, everyone in the room was awe-struck and broke into spontaneous applause.

So simple and yet so brilliant. Take a minute and watch it. (Turn on your speakers!)
youtube

The link I included yesterday for Mrs. Laprade's death notice in the Times Argus didn't work, so I have copied it below. As soon as there is a full obituary, I will post it for you.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Madeleine B. Laprade, 88, died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009, at the Woodside Hospice House in Pinellas Park, Fla.

Calling hours will be held 7-9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 27 at the Pruneau-Polli Funeral Home, 58 Summer Street, Barre.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 in St. Monica Church.

A complete obituary will be published in a later edition of The Times Argus.

Condolences may be sent to: Andre and Sherry LaPrade, P. O. Box 15, W. Danville VT 05873.

I received this wonderful tribute to John Pearl from his sister, Liz Sargent:

Family & friends:

Sorry if this is the second time you are receiving this, but for some it may be the first time! The previous notice that was sent to some of you did not have John's picture and if you didn't see it on the web in color, I thought you should! It is such a great picture and the newsprint picture in the Caledonian Record just didn't do justice. Sorry I can't send individual messages, but it is just too hard at this point.

We are still in shock and expect to see John come out of the barn or around the corner. He was the picture of health and we had absolutely no warning nor did he! The autopsy showed he died from dilated cardiomyopathy which is heart failure and not a heart attack. Once the rhythm is broken, there is no chance of getting it back; everything was tried.

Sheri is holding up well, but each day is very hard for us all. John was a wonderful, gentle man and there is a hole in our family that cannot be filled. He was very well loved. Sons Henry and Isaac are carrying on at the farm; Isaac working there permanently, Henry still in the agriculture program at VTC and UVM and then will come home to work the farm as well. John had a wealth of knowledge about the land and animals as well as a mechanical skill that would be envied by all and there was still much for us all to learn from him.

We will hold our memories dear and close to our hearts.

Best to you all and, again, I apologize if you are receiving this more than once. My head isn't working up to par!

Best to everyone, Liz

2/14/2009 6:00:00 AM

Email this article • Print this article

John M. Pearl Obituary John Morrison Pearl, age 53, of North Danville, died unexpectedly Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, of heart failure, in his proudly restored 1967 White log truck. He was born in St. Johnsbury, Dec. 23, 1955, the son of William and Lucia (Johnson) Pearl. John was a graduate of the class of 1973 at St. Johnsbury Academy. After high school he was employed at ET & HK Ide Company starting his lifetime career in dairy farming. He most loved being at home, in the woods, and working with his family. In the summertime, he especially enjoyed long motorcycle rides with his family. John was a throwback to Vermont ingenuity. "If something was broke, John could fix it." He was well loved by all who knew him and he will be dearly missed by his family and friends. John was predeceased by his brother, Tom in 1982. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Sheri (Sargent) Pearl; two sons, Henry and Isaac Pearl and wife Logan; parents, William and Lucia Pearl; sisters, Margaret Pearl of Ryegate, Elizabeth Sargent and husband Robert of Danville; several nieces and nephews; and his faithful dogs Rufus and Mudder. At John's request there will be no service or visiting hours.

Elizabeth A. Sargent
529 Jamieson Rd.
Danville VT 05828
802-748-1456
lizsargent@charter.net

Sad news this morning. Tom Dente let me know that Madeleine LaPrade, mother of JPA past-president, Andre LaPrade, passed away on yesterday, Feb. 18, in Florida. You will find more information at Times Argus. We extend our deepest sympathy to Andre and his family.

* * * * *

As predicted, we got a few inches of snow overnight. Fred said there may have been about six inches, but because it is fairly warm, it compacted and there is about four. We are in the 30 degree range today, and there is a fine snow falling, but we don't believe it will amount to much. Apparently the weather is going to remain about the same for the next several days.

We went to St. Johnsbury yesterday. Fred needed some cable for the TV and we did other errands. He took a picture as we went into Danville Village, and then one in St. Johnsbury. The snow was dirty in both places - a welcome sign of spring even though it isn't very pretty! You can see there isn't as much snow in St. J. as up here, though. I took more pictures this morning - it is very pretty with all the trees white, but then I turned around and saw the expression on "Woody's" furry face as he lounged in my (really it's HIS) chair, and decided that said it all: "I'm tired of winter and I'm going to pout until spring!" I guess we're all feeling a bit of that right now.

I have to tell you, though, the Ice-Out Contest tickets are beginning to be in demand. I'm sending over 300 to PBM Nutritionals, a business in Georga, Vermont. That's a real boost to the contest, and in addition, some of our members are selling a lot, too - Francis Berwick, Richard Gagne, Anne Sanguinetti, Suzanne Swanson, Ernie Thurston - and that's just a few. I'm really proud of everyone for pitching in so well this year. I have seen lots coming back from all over the U.S., so I know word is getting out there. Don Walker is beginning to "talk it up" in his area of Montpelier, and that will generate some added activity, too. It makes it even more fun when folks not directly connected to Joe's Pond contact me through the web site for tickets or go on-line and print them. I've been getting quite a lot of what we call "paper tickets" that folks have printed, filled out and sent to us. I don't have a total count, but I'll ask Karl Couillard, who has taken over the job of logging in tickets from Chico Carcoba.

The two photos on the right were taken this morning from my living room window. It doesn't look like spring out there, but it's beginning to feel a lot more like it than a week ago. The earth will begin warming up and there will be some melting going on from underneath the snow, in spite of whatever frigid temperatures happen from here on until the ice is gone.

I received my first newsletter from Bob Labrie who heads up an ice-out contest in Goshen, MA. He already has his flag out on the ice. That's ok, but if we put our rig out on the ice now, it would probably either be buried in snow at some point or the flag would be shredded by the wind before the pond even begins to melt. With ice fishermen coming and going with their snow machines, it's better to wait and put out the block and flag closer to the closing date of April 1.

Melting will soon be happening here in the north country, for sure.

We just returned from a nice walk along W. Shore Road. Some of the road is a bit muddy, but not the real spring "mud season" sort, just that the sun had hit in spots and melted the surface so there's a thin coating of mud but underneath the road is still solidly frozen. Where the sun hasn't hit, there's a really thick coating of ice left from the brief rain last week. There was still a bite to the wind as we headed northwest towards Deeper Ruts Road.

We saw Val Covell briefly, with her dog, Angus. They were in the car near our house and stopped to chat. We don't know why we didn't think to take a picture of Angus - he's a handsome young dog. Further along the road there was no sign of the horses in the Wright's big field, but I expect they were staying close to the house. The snow is pretty deep for them to be comfortable wandering in the field, and there's no bare ground for them to nibble on. Better to stay near the hay barn.

There was activity over the long weekend along W. Shore Rd. Some of you will recognize the cottages that have had their roofs shoveled. You may not know where the tunnel path leads in this picture, but it's the Craige cottage. They really had to work to get in, but I bet it was well worth it to spend the long weekend here at Joe's Pond.

Fred and I are both settled into our respective computer spaces - he's in his new warm little room with his old computer, I'm here in my old office with all my new equipment! We're both happy to have things moved around and now the dust has settled, we can get back to our usual routine.

WASHINGTON NORTHEAST SUPERVISORY UNION BOARD &

SUPERINTENDENT’S POSITION/GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE

SPECIAL JOINT MEETING Wednesday, February 18, 2009

7:00 PM

1. Call to Order: Pat Boyle, Chair

2. Board Discussion: Superintendent Search/Governance System Report – Laura Soares/Brian O’Regan

I have my computer back. Of course it doesn't seem like my computer -- it goes really fast and the keyboard is entirely new to me - different shape, different slant, function keys in places I wouldn't have thought to look, and the regular keyboard is curved down in the middle and up on the ends which is opposite to the curve of my fingertips as I rest on "home keys." I guess there are a host of people using computers who don't know or care about touch typing - therefore there are no "home keys" for them. I'm sure I'll get used to it, but it is very strange. It's nice to have lettering on the keys again, though. The lettering had worn off many of the keys on my old keyboard. I got along fine with it, but I will try to re-letter the keys before I give it to the historical society. I'm pretty sure some of the people who will be using it will need to see what the keys are. The new keyboard and the mouse are wireless, and that's nice. Woody would sit on the wires of the old one and I couldn't move the mouse.

We are very sorry to report the untimely death of John Pearl due to heart failure on February 12. John, 53, was the son of William "Bud" and Lucia (Johnson) Pearl of Danville. The Pearl family has owned the small island for many years, and are members of Joe's Pond Association. John is survived by his wife, Sheri (Sargent) Pearl, his two sons, Henry and Isaac and his wife, Logan; his parents; sisters Margaret "Peggy" Pearl of Ryegate and Elizabeth "Liz" Sargent and husband Robert of Danville, and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his brother, Tom, in 1982. John owned a dairy farm in Danville. It was his request that there be no service or visiting hours.

Our thoughts and prayers are with John's family. You may send condolences to the Bud and Lucia at 476 Pearl Road, Danville VT 05828; or to Sheri Pearl at 478 Pearl Road, Danville VT 05828.

Good Morning,

All blue sky and bright sun here with the temperature at

ten degrees above zero.

" Happy Valentine's Day "

Lots of people on the ice fishing this morning. Hope you all enjoy something special for this day.

Love to all,

Homer

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Our brief respite of spring-like weather is temporarily over and we're back to normal, seasonal temperatures at least in the overnight hours. This morning, though, I awoke to brilliant sunshine and even though I could feel the cold air coming through the slight opening of our bedroom window, there was something about the sunshine that was different. There was a look of "spring" about it. I'm sure well have more cold weather, but I'm pretty sure it won't be the deep cold we've been experiencing, and it's certain we'll have more snow storms, but that look and feel of spring is going to get stronger in the days ahead. We've turned a corner! I can feel it.

I'm working at Fred's computer this morning. On Thursday Fred took my CPU to Tom Warren at Yankee Electronic Solutions (YES) in St. Johnsbury, so he could remove everything to my new computer he has built for me. This was all a result of not being able to get the new printers to work well. Apparently the new computers take lots more RAM and that left my old system without enough to run other programs, especially my scanner. After much discussion and agonizing, I agreed to the new setup. I saved my most precious files to CDs and have been keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out ok. The one thing I couldn't figure out how to preserve was my address book - but I guess Tom knows how to transfer that, too.

Tom called yesterday to let us know the new system will probably be ready sometime today, if everything goes well. I will be delighted to have my computer back - I was like a fish out of water on Friday and resorted to cleaning my office, then the kitchen, and had my eye on Fred's new space, but decided I'd better let him do his own organizing. When I realized I'd probably be without the computer all weekend, I got in touch with all three sons and their mates to invite them for brunch on Sunday. That will keep me busy planning and cooking so I won't have time to think about the computer. If we get it back today, that's fine - if not, I'm good.

I don't like being held hostage by a machine, but I really enjoy the work I'm doing for the historical society and since publishing "The Blodgett Papers," I've had a lot of contacts from members of that family who want books. Also, as I was sorting through new boxes of papers that had been temporarily lost in the process of changing administration of the historical society, I came upon some drawings done by Herndon Foster, of Cabot. Herndon died a few years ago, and although I knew him, I didn't know he was an artist. The drawings are of buildings in Cabot, some now gone, rendered in chalk. They are primitive - I doubt Herndon had ever had any formal art training, but I found them very nice and well worth preserving. I'm hoping I can successfully scan them and make them available for the public to enjoy. They are delicate and cannot be handled without losing some of the coloring - definitely they'll be a challenge to copy and preserve, and I'm anxious to get started. When I find some treasure like this, it makes all the hours going through musty old papers worthwhile.

I've had several very nice Valentine wishes via the computer, and thank those of you who sent them. Aren't we glad Miss Esther Howland had the inspiration to develop Valentine cards back in the 1800's! The observance of St. Valentine's Day goes back much further than that, but Miss Howland put a whole different touch to it when she made it commercial.

I hope you all enjoy the day. Have some dark chocolate for good health!