We had a cold night last night - in the 20's, and this morning the trees were covered with rime. The sun shining on it was lovely, and actually the sun is pretty warm. The temperature is already at the freezing point, and that's on my shaded thermometer at the back side of the house.

We had a call this morning from Sue LaGue letting us know Allen Lumber was delivering the trusses for their house, so we scooted down to get some pictures. Here's a short slide show - it was amazing to watch the guy operating the lift to set those trusses in place. He had to maneuver carefully as there are wires and a tree nearby, and also the garage. A tight spot, but he did it seemingly easily. Take a look: Putting up the Trusses

Sue also told me that Friday, November 5th, is Dolly LaGue's birthday. Happy Birthday, Dolly!! Here's Sue's message:

Dolly (Esperanza is her real name which means Hope in Spanish) Canizo LaGue is turning 80 this Friday, November 5^th. All her children are flying down to celebrate with her. If anyone wants to send her a card and welcome her to the octogenarian club, you can write her at: 1234 Del Web Blvd W, Sun City Center, FL 33573.

The water was very still this morning and there was no wind at all. I measured the water at Walter's and it was down about half an inch. The power company was going to "open all the stops" available to let the water level down to the lowest level they are allowed, in hopes that would help stop the erosion we've been seeing from high water this fall. I'd say with what's coming into the pond from the past rain and snow, they are just about keeping up with it.

Fred took the above picture this morning of the Powers and Silloway cottages on Island Drive. The pond was like glass while we were there. Fred had to get going to Wolcott to recycle, and I wanted to get back to work here on my computer, so we only hung out at LaGue's for a short time. Just as we were leaving, Sue arrived and said she will also be taking pictures. We'll perhaps check tomorrow to see the progress - but unless the forecast has changed, we may be in for some nasty weather tonight and tomorrow. Freezing rain, snow, slush - that kind of stuff.

I was in touch with Chico Carcoba, who logged in our ice-out tickets for many years. He said they have closed camp at Woodbury and will be at home in Barre until after the holidays and will then be heading south. We still have a few people here who will be heading out soon, but most who go for the winter have already left.

We have gained a year 'rounder on Sandy Beach Road. Evelyn Richer's mother, Doris Demick, has moved from her home in St. Johnsbury to Evelyn and Ray's new "mother-in-law" apartment over their garage. Doris is not new to the area, having spent her early childhood in Cabot where her father was our minister. I got to know her when she hired me as her assistant when she worked for the St. Johnsbury School District. I'd been out of the work force for ten years raising my family, so my secretarial skills were pretty rusty, but Doris took a chance and we've been friends ever since. She has spent lots of time with Evelyn and Ray and knows what it's like to be at Joe's Pond year around, so she'll be just fine. We're happy she's here, and I'm sure she'll enjoy her new home.