Weather and Message from Namibia

We are still in spring mode with misty rain and temperatures in the low to mid 30s.  I measured another .15 in. of rain this morning, and the snow pack is down to 4 inches at my stake.  There are no real bare spots that I can see, but I'm sure when the fog lifts, there may be some on the hills above Route 15.

We are very fortunate to have so far missed the serious icing that our northern counties have experienced.  The temperature is due to drop tonight, and that will only add to the problem since there has been no break for those areas when temperatures allowed for any of the ice to melt.  There are trees down on power lines, and traveling is still limited, mostly because of trees in the roads.  Train service north from White River Junction was suspended yesterday, but Amtrak expects to be back in service tonight, according to the noontime news.  A section of I93 was closed earlier today due, I believe, to trees down.  I hope everyone is safe and that the power is back on soon.  It's good that it hasn't been too cold during this storm, but that's going to change so it will be very cold by Christmas Eve.

We heard from son, Bill today, and they are enjoying their trip to Namibia.  Here's what he wrote: 

All is well, we are staying at a place called the Destiny in Ongwediva and we are 5 minutes from Floriana's house. Saw everyone last night when we got here from Tsumeb. Did the Etosha National Park over the weekend, and the kids had a blast. BooBoo saw Giraffes up close in the wild, Ostrich, Kudu, Springbok, and a Wildebeast at about 30 yds...Daddy its a cow!! We will be here until the 3rd, then heading back to Windhoek to get ready for the trip home. It is hot (90-102) during the day, but very dry so you don't really notice it after a while.

Floriana is Monika's mom, and her home is in Oshakati.  "BooBoo" is 2 1/2 year old Tangeni.  I'm sure Tangeni loved seeing the animals.  Big sister, Jo-Ann, has probably seen all of that before, but not for a long time, so she is probably thrilled to see all these animals in her native country again, too.  I know Bill is enjoying it all.  I'm very happy they are able to be with Monika's family for the holidays - and they will be able to celebrate their wedding anniversary there on January 3rd.  They went to Namibia in December of 2009 and were there for Christmas and had a wedding celebration in the tradition of Monika's family. 

 I am excited to share these pictures of Joe's Pond and West Danville with you.  They were sent to me today by Harry Rudin (Old Homestead Road).  The view is along Route 15, on the east side of the pond, and then the Village at the junction of Route 15 and Route 2.  These were taken on December 14, this year.  He said it was just as cold as it looks.  These are great aerial views, and many thanks to Harry for sending them, along with his "Merry Christmas" wishes to all of us.

I have more exciting news, this time from Kate Chatot.  Here's what Kate wrote to me this morning: 

Merry Christmas,
From the Chatot clan on Honey Hill Farm (name of our property).

PS -  Thought you'd be pleased to know there is going to be a wedding here on Honey Hill Farm this summer - our son Jules is engaged to Kate. We'll have Jules and Kate and Jules and Kate living on HHF. We say Jules/Kate squared . . .


Congratulations to Jules/Kate squared!  That is great news at Christmas time, and confusing as it's going to be for some of us, we are happy for them and will be expecting some great pictures of the wedding, come summer.