Well, here's good news - but the mystery remains.  We had a message from Mert Leonard tonight - here's what he posted:  
 Just received the water results, the beach was a 1 and pond 2 [middle pond] was a 2. Seems like it must be the geese?
I'll add this to my post on the web site.
Mert

We still don't know what caused the spike(s) in bacteria levels, or why after the middle pond tested very high last week it is now ok.  We may never know, I guess.  Perhaps it is "normal" that the bacteria count ebbs and flows according to varying conditions.  I guess it would take more extensive and precisely controlled tests to figure it out.  Our thanks to Mert for doing the extra tests - he's only required to do the public beach, which he does each week.  With so many geese around, many of us think they may still be the trouble makers, and I think regardless of whether they are responsible for fouling the water (no pun intended) or not, the fact remains they are a big nuisance and unwelcome guests on lawns and at the beach, and we can't wait for them to take off. 


Other wildlife news:  Front Porch Forum had a message tonight from Dave Creighton who lives on Last Road, not far from Route 2 in Cabot, saying there have been a couple sightings of a catamount in Cabot - one in his area, and the other "across town."  I'm not sure in which direction, but perhaps we'll learn more.  There are reports of sightings from time to time, but I don't think there have been any confirmed by wildlife experts.  Here is what I found on the Vermont Historical Society site about the big cats. 

Speaking of big cats - we drove around St. Johnsbury today in a courtesy vehicle from St. J. Auto.  We got quite a kick out of it - a whopping big (to us) bright red GMC pickup truck - I think it was a Sierra.  There was no "step" to get in and out of the darned thing and for me, it was neither an easy nor graceful maneuver.  We turned on the radio and it came on full blast with country western music, so we rolled down the windows and cruised down Railroad Street, collecting a few stares, and feeling like kids again.  It was fun, but Fred said it would take him a little time to get used to having so much length behind him - when he had to back up, it was hard to tell how much room there was.  We didn't have any mishaps - well, my coffee sloshed down the side of the door when it swung closed too hard (it's a big door, made for big guys to get in and out, I suppose), but I got it wiped clean before we brought it back to the dealership.  Fred decided it might be just what he needs to go into our woods.  It had power - like it could go anywhere, over rocks, logs, through swamps, and up steep cliffs.  That high off the ground, it would take quite a lot to get it hung up, and it would carry one heck of a lot of wood in the body.  All he'd need would be a rifle to sling across the back window and a hunting dog.  Next time we need a courtesy vehicle, I hope it's that one - and I'll get to drive it.