We were happily surprised that lobster rolls were on the menu at "99" when we went there to celebrate Louise's 93rd birthday. That made her day even more enjoyable, and from there we went on to Staples and Walmart, Shaw's and McDonald's, in that order. She was thrilled to stop at Shaw's to see the array of items and "such a beautiful store!" We were glad she didn't attempt to visit every aisle and department, because the rest of us who were all considerably younger than she is, were ready to call it a day. I think she could have stayed longer and gone to other stores. More power to her! We had a nice time, and according to custom in her birth country of Spain, she said, she presented us with gifts of carnations. She said in Spain, one gives gifts on one's birthday.

Jenny Larrabee Rafuse contacted me yesterday about friends of hers who are getting married in August and hope to spend their honeymoon at Joe's Pond. I thought that was a lovely idea; not too many years ago, Joe's Pond was a very common honeymoon destination. My uncle, Raymond Bolton, was called to war while honeymooning here during WWI. My grandfather rode horseback from the farm on the Plain to the cottage on West Shore Road where Ray and his bride, Maidene Walbridge, were, to tell him he had to report for duty.

Ah, well - here's what Jenny wrote:
My friends are getting married at the end of August this year and would love to spend their honeymoon at Joe's Pond (on the pond). Unfortunately I haven't had a lot of luck getting in touch with people or they have their places rented. Is there a chance that you could post something to have people contact me if they can help me out? My cell is 802-318-3957 and they can call and leave a message.

It would be very nice if someone has a place they could rent. Jenny went on to say they are very responsible, would be having no parties, etc., and would leave it clean and unharmed.

The sun is coming out, finally, and everyone is hoping it will stay a while and dry things out. We've had rain showers every day for at least a week, and that's beginning to get on people's nerves. It's nice to keep things moist when seedlings are getting started, etc., but the rain lately has been too much of a good thing.

The trend is definitely towards more precipitation - this graph came from the weather station at Fairbanks Museum. If the trend continues, we can expect to have high water and wet feet more often, at least for a few years. According to the graph, the amount of precipitation spikes about every 10 years; but you will also notice (the red indicators) each "spike" has been successively higher at the end of each 10 year period. To quote the younger generation, I'm "just saying."

Here's something to consider:

Cabot’s Town-Wide Lawn Sale

What it is: a town-wide lawn sale event. Set up at YOUR OWN HOUSE, and we’ll send the people to you. Your place not convenient? Ask to reserve a spot on the common or in the Cabot School gymnasium by calling 563-3338.

How it works: sign up by sending your $10 fee to the Cabot Chronicle, Lawn Sale 2011, P.O. Box 245, Cabot, VT 05647. We will advertise your sale in over 10 local newspapers, on at least three community radio stations, and with signs directing drivers to your location. We will also feature your site on the official Lawn Sale 2011 map

The Town-Wide Yard Sale date is slated for June 24th.

Participants that want to be advertised should contact the Chronicle as soon as they can.