It's been a busy day here today. I guess most people don't go by the old time schedule for doing household chores that goes, "wash on Monday, iron on Tuesday, etc., etc." but I still sort of do that. I do the laundry once a week, usually on Monday. I don't iron that much any more, and I've forgotten how the rest of that ditty went, but I think cleaning and baking got in there someplace. So today was a "wash" day for me, plus I have been going through lots of things I've stored for years and finally decided I can do without, so there was an extra load of things that needed to be laundered before I could give them away.

After lunch, Fred suggested we go to Chimney Sweep II on the Barre-Montpelier Road to pick up the new handle for our Hearthstone wood stove he'd ordered, and that sounded better than sorting through tons more of stored items, so off we went. Turned out to be a beautiful spring-like day, especially over there, even though it's only 25 miles away. We took more pictures - I swear the grass was turning green on some East Montpelier lawns - so here's another slide show . . .
Slides

When we got home, I found some messages in my e-mail. The first is from Homer and Margaret Fitts who leave tomorrow for a month in Florida. Homer wants to remind folks that the Barre area picnic get together is at Nokomis Beach, Florida, on March 3rd, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Which reminds me, if any of you folks need absentee ballots to vote in Danville or Cabot, you need to get them right away. You can access the Cabot Town Report from home page on our web site, and the Warning is part of that so you'll know what you can vote on by ballot if you aren't going to be here.

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Then there was this e-mail from Lori Augustyniak:

The Vermont Department of Health has received a grant to help reduce the
misuse of alcohol and drugs in Vermont communities, and is interested in
learning more about parents' views on issues related to underage
drinking.

A brief web-based survey has been set up that parents or guardians who
have children in grades 6 through 12 may access and complete it online.
Because the survey is only accessible online, we know it’s an extra
burden for those of you who do not have internet access from your home --
your efforts to participate are especially appreciated. The link to the
survey is:

http://chweb.pire.org/vtparent


Our youth prevention groups in Cabot will receive one dollar for every
parent (up to $100) who completes this short online survey. Please
complete the survey if at all possible at your earliest convenience, and
help support our group. The survey closes on February 28, so don’t delay
in sharing your views.

Thank you in advance for your participation.

Sincerely,

Lori Augustyniak and KAPOW! (Kids in Action empowering Our World)

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Our cat, Woody, seems to be sensing spring in the air. However, he may be somewhat puzzled when he pokes his nose out tomorrow morning, if the weather forecast is correct, because we are expecting a few inches of snow. Today, however, he was in and out during the morning, and spent quite some time sitting at the top of our driveway watching traffic on the road below, and obviously enjoying the sunshine and probably the warm asphalt. The birds around our house are more active, too, and I'm sure he's interested in their activity. Fortunately, he seldom goes after the birds, but he keeps the squirrels at bay, and I don't believe there's a mouse left anywhere in the neighborhood.

It's okay if it snows tomorrow. I have to do some ironing, so will be staying inside. Fred is taking the car to the Cabot Garage for inspection, and I think Bill Rossi will be going with him. They have hotdogs at the Cabot Hardware Store, you know.