Here's the latest report on the ice conditions. These pictures were taken when Fred checked the clock and flag at 7 a.m., and there's no visible change. The rain really hadn't started at that point, but right now we have light showers going on and it's 42 degrees. It didn't get to the freezing point last night, according to my thermometer - only 35 degrees - but that was enough to slow the melting a bit to let the mud in the roads settle. The rain will help the muddy roads. I know, that doesn't sound logical, but it actually does help bring the frost out more gradually - think thawing something out of your home freezer under cold water.

This middle picture is looking past Fitts's deck towards the boat launching ramp. Just beyond the ramp there's a small brook that runs into the pond, and that is beginning to show open water. The ice looks pretty solid this morning, but you couldn't pay me enough to go out onto it. The rain will have some impact, but it's hard to guess the actual condition of the ice. The bottom picture shows little change from yesterday.

The rain will wash away some of the winter dirt and maybe start greening up the grass in places. This has been a bad year for voles or moles on our lawn. Some years it isn't too bad, perhaps when we have enough snow to insulate the ground. But this year they dug deeply into our lawn and made a real mess. We hadn't been out to rake yet, but maybe the rain will begin to wash the dirt back into the holes those little critters dug out. They'd better hide because our cat, Woody, is starting his warm-weather routine of night hunting, and they are easy prey for him.

I heard Larry Rossi just had a birthday - Happy Birthday, Larry!