Today was a perfect day to be at Joe's Pond. It started off cloudy but then we got plenty of sunshine and finally a bit of rain and a bit of thunder and lightning, but nothing severe.  We really need the rain.  The pond level is down, and Association President Tom Dente got in touch with the folks at Green Mountain Power just to be sure the dam wasn't malfunctioning again, but after checking with the people who oversee the dam, Josh Castonguay reported back to Tom that the low level is due to so little water coming into the pond.  Tonight's rain may help a little, but we still need more.

People are gradually coming back from their winter retreats.  We notice the difference in traffic already, and that reminds me that in about a week we will probably notice a really big increase in traffic along West Shore Road.  I believe the latest word is that construction on the bridge begin about June 8th, and starting June 22, the bridge will be closed for 28 days. We saw a State Police cruiser go down through today and wondered if they are checking out the route in order to be able to respond better if/when needed during the time the bridge in Walden is being replaced.  The prescribed detour is through Marshfield and using Rt. 215 through Cabot, but we all expect most local folks will use Brickett's Crossing Road and West Shore Road.  The best advice is what Tom Dente said:  Take the same precautions when walking on West Shore Road as you would walking along Route 2.  Walk facing traffic; keep children and pets away from the road; if you need to walk your dog along the road, keep it on a short leash.  

We had our grands with us for supper tonight.  Woody is exhausted.  He escaped into the night a few times during the evening, but kept coming back in, to the delight of Tangeni, so I'm pretty sure he didn't mind all the attention that much. He was brushed and petted, followed, talked to and finally, when it was time for everyone to go home, cried over.  Tangeni sobbed as her Dad took her to the car, and told him Woody is her "best friend," and she was going to miss him "all day tomorrow."  It would be nice if they could have a kitty at their house, but big sister, Jo-Ann, is allergic, so that isn't going to happen.  I'm sure the fascination with Woody will wear off in another year or two, but for now he's got a special place in Tangeni's heart.