Lovely day, bright sunshine, and it's actually warmed up to five above zero. We had a call from Bill and Diane Rossi this morning to tell us they were watching someone skating on the ice at the lower end of the pond - about where the Richard Dente cottage is. It seems to us they might be rushing things a bit, but with temperatures well below zero the last few nights (and most of the daytime, too), the ice is probably pretty thick. We haven't seen any fishermen out behind the island yet, or sometimes we've seen them off Smith's Point early in the season, but haven't noticed anything there yet, either. Perhaps it's been too cold and windy for them. They'll be appearing soon.

Did you know Hastings Store has a different take-out lunch menu every day? Yesterday it was chipped beef on potato; today it's chili - Jenny said "because it's chilly outside today." It's nice to have a home-cooked lunch special every day - along with the baked goods they always have on hand, and I'm sure lots of folks appreciate being able to stop there to pick up something hot and delicious. Local folks can plan to pick up their mail and a hot lunch at the same time.

No further word on our on-going baggage problem. We have been told (again) the bags are being delivered, but so far we haven't had any confirmation.