We went to Littleton yesterday. It rained really hard all the way there, but cleared soon after we arrived. We were able to return to Staples the faulty computer backup drive we've been struggling with and they fixed us up with a replacement. Then we went to Littleton Coin Company where I had an old coin appraised for the historical society. That's an interesting place - sort of. I was surprised that they give tours. Of what? I'm not sure, but I'm thinking I may go back sometime and go on the tour just to see what it's all about. It's a big place (see above), so they must be busy at something - I suppose sorting and packaging coins, and probably buying, selling and trading, so some of it would be office space, too.

We just took a chance and walked in with no appointment, so we had to wait perhaps 10 minutes. That's me pacing. I don't do well when put on "hold." The waiting area is very pleasant, though. That's a small gift shop behind me. I had some Indian head nickles of my own I showed the appraiser; she said they are worth about 15 cents each. I guess I'll hold onto them for a while - they're fun to have, even if they aren't worth much.

Then last night we went to Bill and Diane Rossi's for dinner. Our neighbor, Tom Morgan, was there, too. We enjoyed the evening - good food and conversation. Tom is a real Joe's Pond fan, having vacationed at the pond with his family when he was a youngster, and now he and his brother own property here.

Speaking of owning property - I saw in the Hardwick Gazette that the former restaurant in Cabot (owned by Rolf and Delores Meunch) was sold at auction last week. The new owner doesn't know exactly what he'll do with it, but said he may make an apartment or two upstairs and keep the ground level space for a commercial rent. He did say he will be a landlord and will not be opening a business there himself. I think it went for something like $99,000.

Today has been quite nice until this afternoon. We could see the rain clouds gathering - again - so we both got busy outside - I picked some peas for supper while Fred was mowing the lawn. We both got a little wet, but Fred finished the lawn, even as it was showering, and I not only got enough peas for supper, I also got the pea vines strung up better. I made a big mistake in not using substantial chicken wire or some good strong nylon mesh for the peas to climb, so they have sort of piled up in a tangle making it awfully hard to pick. I got them off the ground enough, I think, but it's still not a good solution. Next year I'll do it right and not take any short cuts. I really didn't expect them to grow as high and thick as they have this year. Even the string beans plants are huge. The beans are about ready, too. Gardens are great, but they're a lot of work when everything starts coming in at once.

By the way, if some of you are having problems opening pictures here on the blog lately, it's probably because I recently changed the blog design (you may have noticed). The new, easier, design choices are pre-formatted, which is fine except I found once I'd tried the new design I couldn't go back to the old method, so it is what it is. There is a glitch in this new format, however, so for some browsers you need to click on the very edge of the picture - you'll notice there is now a white "frame" around each photo. If you click once on the outer edge of that frame, the picture should open to a bigger size. If you have trouble getting that to work, try right clicking anywhere on the picture and then click "open link." The problem is with blogger.com, not with our web site or your browser. They are apparently aware of the problem and working to correct it.

Woody just came in soaking wet. I wiped him down with a paper towel, he had a snack and then went right back out. He was curled up asleep next to the garage while I was working in the rain in the garden this afternoon, too. I guess his coat is thick enough so a little rain doesn't bother him much. I always thought cats don't like water, but he doesn't seem to mind being wet one bit.