We've been pretty busy today, but we took some time at noon to watch the basketball game between UVM and BU (UVM won, 83-70!) and then took a walk before getting back to work.

As we were passing the big field where the horses are, we spotted a woolly caterpillar crossing the road (of course!). Isn't that where you always spot them, especially in the fall when they're looking for a safe place to hole up for the winter. They usually don't come out quite this early because they need food and there isn't much available yet, but I guess the warm weather woke this fella up. I removed him from the road and at first was going to leave him in the grass by the ditch, but then decided he might need a safer place, so deposited him near a big maple tree a short distance from the road. There are hiding places there and perhaps an early bit of grass or something for food. If he isn't spotted by some hungry bird, he may live to spin his cocoon and eventually turn into a moth. The whole process seems to be taking place way too early, though. I hope he (or she) makes it.

Up the road a bit further, the brooks are beginning to break through all the snow, but there isn't a huge flow of water such as happens when the weather turns warm suddenly. The snow banks aren't as high as usual, but the town road crews have been along to push them back so the ditches can open up and carry the water, possibly avoiding a rough mud season. Each day we've had only moderate melting and settling of the snow pack, and everything is moving very gently towards spring.

I had an e-mail this morning from Liz and John Randall, our summer neighbors across the road. They visited family in Florida a few weeks ago and on their way home, picked up a fine looking dog at a shelter in N. Carolina. It's really nice they have rescued this dog. He looks as if he appreciates having a loving family. (That's John with Riley.) Here's what Liz wrote:

John and I drove to Florida and on the way home picked Riley up in North Carolina. He was in a high-kill shelter when he was rescued.

"Riley" is about 1 1/2 yrs old, according to our vet. He is a mush and wants to climb up into your lap and kisses. Lauren [daughter] is home this week on break from college, and she couldn't wait for us to head north so she could meet him. Riley seems to need a lot of attention and we have no problem giving it to him. He is adjusting to our home very well. Bringing him home to Joe's Pond will be another adventure. Should be fun! Liz