What a bummer - a rainy day and our roofers have had to give it up for today!  They got the staging all put up on the front side of the house, ready for tomorrow, and that's good.  It doesn't look as if the rain is going to let up any time soon, so we may be able to get in our naps today - a luxury we've all missed (Woody included!) since the project started last week.  Yesterday I had two appointments in St. J. and had some time in between, so I took a "cat-nap" in the car.  With the workmen arriving at 7:30 every morning, I have been up slightly earlier than normal, but haven't modified my bedtime accordingly.

Speaking of Woody and cat-naps, the Cat Calendar Contest for the Kingdom Animal Shelter is functioning perfectly now.  Woody hasn't had many votes yet, but I've alerted the family so they can vote each day - if they think to do it.

On my way back from St. Johnsbury yesterday, I was stopped for the first time at the new traffic signals in Danville, at the intersection of the Hill Street/Peacham Road with Route 2.  The light seems to be well timed so you don't have to sit long waiting for it to change, and that's a good thing.  I'm wondering how it's going to work this winter, though.

There was a short article in the weekend edition of the Caledonian, about the rapid progress being made on the Rail-Trail section between St. Johnsbury and West Danville.  There was a photo of workmen getting ready to set a prefabricated bridge over Mt. Vernon Street.  Work at the site of the second bridge, over the washout in Danville has also begun.  That whole section between St. J. and West Danville should be completed by the end of next summer.  Work on the section between Morrisville and Cambridge Junction is also scheduled to begin this year, according to Jessi Hudson, technical assistant at Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) that has a long-term lease on the old railroad bed, now owned by the State of Vermont.  VAST is funding the construction with donations and matching grants.  (Donations can be directed specifically for the rail-trail - directions are on the site.)

We have just learned that one of Cabot's well known "characters" passed away last Tuesday.  Harry Thompson, historian and collector of everything from livestock to houses, items large or small, valuable or junk, was the "go to" guy if you were looking for something  unusual, collectible or antique - or just not made anymore.  Harry was also a great source of historical information.  He was a friend of the Cabot Historical Society and served several years as a judge at our annual Apple Pie Festival. (Photo above.)   Harry will be missed in our town.  Our thoughts are with his children and grandchildren who now have the formidable task of sorting through Harry's treasures - and junk.  There will be a memorial at the Willey Building in Cabot on September 28th, from 12 noon to 6 pm.  All are welcome; bring a dish to share at the potluck dinner, and photos or memories you'd care to share.  

WCAX reported today that this summer the Monarch butterfly
(top picture) has been very scarce in Vermont.  I had noticed that we weren't seeing them, and wondered about that.  There are other butterflies around, though, and I got this picture of one perched on the roofers' staging outside my office window last week.  I have no idea what kind it is, but there is a huge contrast in what the wings look like and how they actually are.  They look  like well-seasoned wood, to me - but of course they are soft and delicate, as with any other moth or butterfly.  Not as colorful as the Monarch, but still a lovely example of nature's artistry.  Click on the images to make them larger.