A quick update on things here at Joe's Pond. Our weather is remaining quiet, although we expect colder temperatures coming in perhaps tonight. Bill and Diane Rossi report the pond seems to be frozen over completely. Of course, they, like us, cannot see all the coves, but with very cold temperatures night before last, it is likely it closed in whatever open water there was. A warm stretch could undo that, but it's probable we've seen the last of open water until along about April when the ice will start to break up. That's not to say the flag will go down and the Ice-Out Contest will be over - the cove where the flag is often is the last to go.

As for our struggles with Delta Airlines - it's on-going. Today has been more frustration. We are not sure the bags were put on a plane to Atlanta this afternoon. Nothing shows up that they are on their way; on the other hand, nobody can or will tell us that they are still sitting at JFK. We have thought of trying to get them sent by a regular freight carrier like perhaps DSL or whoever goes that direction, but right now we don't know (again) where the heck they are, for sure. It's a good thing Fred is dealing with this for I'm sure I'd have lost my cool with those people long ago. Four days is a long time for someone's baggage to be "delayed" when planes are continually leaving, I'd think. Since Delta has a flight to Africa, I guess that's the only option we have.

Pam Hebert was saying they generally fly with as little baggage as possible - only what they can carry on with them. Bill and Monika will be in Africa for a month and they were also taking Christmas gifts, I believe, so having those bags is pretty important to them. They are both experienced travelers, so I expect they knew what they were doing, this is just "one of those things" one has to endure sometimes. I would have expected more cooperation from Delta Airline, however. They really don't seem to have their cargo service running very smoothly, and while their personnel seem to try, only a few really seem to be interested in working out a problem, and we've talked to literally dozens in the past three days. So we'll keep on keeping on. It's time to check to see if the bags got on a plane tonight - and if not, where they are now.