It has been a beautiful day here. We changed our schedule a bit and went to St. Johnsbury to do our shopping, thinking there would be fewer people in the stores. Not so. It was very busy in the grocery stores, and lots of cars at the Green Mountain Mall, too.

On the way home, the sun was high in the sky as we came over the hill approaching Danville. Fred was driving and I started taking pictures. Some didn't make it to the slide show, but here are the ones that did. Ride with us along Rt. 2 and then on West Shore Road. I think you'll enjoy the view . . . Slides

Everything looks much as it does during the summer, except for no leaves on the trees and not as many folks around. There are still quite a large number of people who live at the pond year around now, so it isn't as desolate as it used to be. I just did a quick count of JPA members, and there are 30 who live here year around, another 13 who come in the winter to ski or to spend holidays and vacations, and about 18 or so who linger long after everyone else is gone and sometimes wait until after the holidays to leave, either after Thanksgiving or after Christmas. So there are people coming and going constantly now.

When Fred and I first came to live year around at Joe's Pond, about 1978, we could count the lights on the pond on one hand after Labor Day, except around deer hunting when there would be hunters converging at places like Homer Fitts', Hamilton's, Karnedy's, Chatot's, Caplan's, etc. After Thanksgiving, things got pretty quiet. We've gained Larry Rossi as a year 'rounder, but lost Homer, as he's going to winter in Barre this year. There are a few who used to stay all year that have bought property in Florida so now have deserted us. The population changes constantly; when someone new buys a cottage here, generally they rehab it for year around use, I suppose with the idea they may want to retire here or at least come in the winter for the skiing and snowmobiling.

We got a set of LED Christmas lights to try out. John Gebbie was in his store (St. Jay Hardware) and he was already getting excited about skiing. He and our middle son, Bob, ski together with one or two others in St. Johnsbury - Fred Laferrier (Mayo's) is one of their buddies, but Fred snow boards . . . I think Bob and John are sticking to conventional skis. John also asked for a supply of Ice-Out tickets because lots of folks like them for Christmas stocking stuffers, he said. We'll get some down to him right away. Gee, it's coming up on that time again!

If you haven't seen the whole clip on Susan Boyle's initial appearance, here it is. She has an album coming out and has made quite a mark for herself. Turn on your speakers and enjoy.

Susan Boyle sings