If you enjoy all things Irish, take a look at this web site: irishmassachusetts.com
They have some interesting programs coming up, and it isn't that far away from Joe's Pond.

We're getting cooled down day by day, and last I heard, there's a frost predicted for spots in the Northeast Kingdom on Wednesday night. Whether we're one of the chosen "spots" remains to be seen, but it's getting close, and tender plants may take a hit.

I'm off to the cemetery this morning to recheck one more time, and then will have my new map ready for printing. I found out Staples in Littleton will print them for a very reasonable cost, so I'm going to leap ahead and get it done even though I haven't heard from either of the sextons to double check. If I have to do it over, that's ok - it'll be worth it just to get them done and off my to-do list.

Things are winding down here at the pond. Lots of folks have docks and boats out and have buttoned up for the winter. It's noticeably quieter - very few boats out and about even when the sun is out. There's a little chill in the air that means you take an extra sweater or jacket with you if you go out on the water, and most have given up their walking shorts for trousers. This photo shows you the kind of day we're having here today. We've had a fire in the wood stove for the past several days - sometimes only in the late afternoon and evening, but yesterday and today Fred started it early and we'll keep a small fire all day. It's 52 degrees outside - and just starting to sprinkle.

The trees in back of our house seemed to have dulled down over the past couple of days. We have a few birches that have just turned a sickly yellow-brown - not at all the vibrant yellow we sometimes get, and even the cedars are looking brownish. I can spot a few brighter colors up in the woods, but nothing spectacular yet. I expect the maples will put on a great show a little later.

By the way, check out Joe's Ponder Kevin Johnson's fire extinguisher web site: www.stjfire.com It's been updated. There will be one for his Reed Supply Company soon. That's a great place to visit. If you haven't been there, you should stop by. Lots of very interesting stuff. They are on Mill Street, just off Railroad Street as if you were going to Elements restaurant. That's Kevin's wife, Pam, in the foreground,
and her mom, Nancy Hamilton, at the file. I'm sorry, I don't recall the other woman's name, but they were all very busy the day we were there.

They have a great selection of fire extinguishers, in addition to more nuts, bolts, serious hard to find items than you'd ever imagine. Pam laughed the day we were there saying when we walked in she'd seen just about our whole family within the last few days. She said Jamie, Bill and Bob are frequent customers. I should have told her it's a family tradition - both Grandfather Dimick and Grandfather Bolton frequented Reed's Supply, too.