We heard from Jack LaGue this morning - he's trying hard to get used to watching loons (at least 12 this morning) swimming in snow flurries, from his living room window. The weather today had him wondering if moving to Joe's Pond permanently (last weekend) was such a great idea, especially with muddy and bumpy roads going in every direction. I tried to assure him it would be fine, and gave him the same advice I give all newcomers - always keep at least a week's worth of food and fuel on hand. I should have added that it's a good idea to have a wood stove, kerosene lamps, and plenty of water for drinking and flushing, to be prepared for when the electricity goes out, too - but he'll get the hang of rural living, I'm sure.

We delivered some of the JPA newsletters on our way to W. Danville this morning, and on Sandy Beach Road, we spotted a small brown duck sitting in the middle of the road in front to the Byrds (no pun intended, but it gets better!) She seemed to be staring intently at something, and then I realized she was watching two duck lawn decorations on the Byrd's lawn. She ignored my presence and with her gaze steadily on target, she waddled past me onto the lawn where she inspected the fake ducks carefully. I don't know what her determination was, but when we left, she was still feeding close by them. She probably thought she'd found the ideal mate . . . the strong, silent type.

In the afternoon we went to Cabot Village to do some errands. It was still spitting snow when we left our house, but in the village it was raining lightly. Not a nice day at all, and the brooks were running high - again. We stopped at the general store and the hardware store, and then stopped by the town clerk's office where we visited with Assistant Town Clerk, Linda, and Zoning Commissioner Carlton Domey. Here is a short video . . . Visit to the Village

Homer sent a list of some of the local choices made for the Alaska Ice Out game:

LOCAL NAMES AND TIMES FOR ALASKA GUESSES

MAY 1st.......GAREY LARRABEE............11:05 A.M.

MAY 1st.......CURTIS LARRABEE...........12:51 P.M.

MAY 2nd......GAREY LARRABEE............12:01 P.M.

MAY 2nd......JANE BROWN......................1:55 P.M.

MAY 4th.......FRED BROWN.....................10:09 A.M.

MAY 7th.......JANE LARRABEE..................9:34 A.M.

FRED CAME PRETTY CLOSE ! OTHERS IN APRIL....

THANKS AGAIN,

HOMER