I got a really cute link from son Bob today. He thought Woody would like to see it, too . . . take a look: Cat and Dolphins
Looks like love at first sniff. When we see something like this, doesn't it make you wonder why people can't get along better? Like one viewer said about the video, "Who says we're the most advanced species?!"

Today has been cold - again. Bright sunshine didn't raise the temperature much. The overnight low was -14.8 and with wind chill factored in, -25.4. When we left to go to St. Johnsbury around 9 a.m., it was still -5 and our garage door was solidly frozen down. It wasn't a big job to loosen it, and we weren't surprised after the sudden temperature changeover yesterday. I heard on the scanner tonight is going to be in the single numbers above zero and we're going to get from one to three inches of snow. Such a roller coaster in the weather so far this winter.

I had the window quilts over the big windows last night, and when I opened the one on the sunny side this morning, there was an interesting perfect round of condensation right in the middle of the glass. The only explanation we can think of is that the sun hit that spot before any other and warmed the glass. There is a plastic vapor barrier sandwiched between the quilting and the curtain material, and that is all one piece, so the warmth must have come from outside to make that pattern.

It was still -5 in St. Johnsbury as we went about doing our errands, and this afternoon it barely got out of the single numbers above zero. Now the sun is dropping behind our hillside and the thermometer is heading down again - about 12 degrees outside my office window. When we stopped to pick up mail this morning in West Danville, there were quite a few people around, but nobody was stopping to talk for long outside. It has been a pretty day, though, with mostly bright blue sky - nice to be in the car looking out.

This was a farm between Danville and St. J. The main roads were bare, but some driveways are very icy. It's a little strange to be this cold and not have much snow on the ground.

Spring is coming, though. Ice-Out tickets are selling pretty well and I've had several inquiries about ads in the Joe's Pond Association's spring newsletter. That's a good sign, but I know there is no doubt a lot of winter waiting to be delivered to us before April!

There are things going on in spite of the weather - sometimes delayed and re-scheduled BECAUSE of the weather, but people are definitely out and about. Here are a few announcements:

Faith in Action is sponsoring a FREE Community Dinner (Mid-winter Soupfest) this Friday, January 20th, 5:30 - 7:30 PM at the Masonic Hall in Cabot. We have an excellent variety of HOME MADE soups including Chili - both vegetarian and with meat, Clam Chowder, Lentil, Chicken Noodle, Ham & Bean and Veggie, Corn & Shrimp Chowder and a Winter Vegetable Soup! What better way to chase away the winter blahs? Please bring your friends, neighbors, family and come join us!

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Just a reminder - Saturday noon-2:00 p.m. is the Goldie's Open House, encouraging conversation and ideas to move this attractive space into commercial viability. Please stop by and invite anyone you think would be interested.

If you are willing, we'd be grateful for a baked item or perhaps a jar of jelly or pickles to fill the bakery case and use as raffle prizes. Drop off Friday afternoon or Saturday morning would be most appreciated.

Jeannie Johnson

563-3147

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From Henretta Splain -

We have a firm date for the February Inspired dinner it is to be on Sunday, February 26th at 4:30 pm, hosted by Laurel Stanley. We are excited about the menu since Laurel lived in N'awlins for 3 years. And it is the week of Mardi Gras. The movie inspiration is The Last Holiday, a comedy. The menu is:

Appetizers: Oysters 'Danville', Craw fish cocktail

Entree: Chicken and smoked Sausage Gumbo

Rice

Spicy Greens Salad with Penny Lane Dressing

Baguette

Dessert: Bananas Foster

As always, reservations may be made by calling either Henretta Splain at 563 2478 or Susan Tallman at 684 3836 or the Pope Memorial Library at 684 2256. The suggested donation for dinner is $25.

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One more interesting item came across my desk this afternoon from Bill Rossi:

While traveling to Burlington. We went via Afghanistan and met this friend.

I have to say, that's taking the long way around to get there! (Actually, I think it was in Richmond, VT.)