We are expecting rain today, but at the moment we have 39 degrees and fog.  It's like an April morning except the outlook is for colder instead of warmer weather in our future.  Still, not bad for late November.

I received a long message from Jaquith Library in Marshfield this morning with their winter schedule of events and activities.  Rather than post it all here, you can go directly to their website if you are interested.  Click HERE.

There isn't much going on today that I know about.  We started the day with freezing rain, but then the temperature rose and now it's just rain, washing away the ice and snow.  I'm showing 36 degrees at 5 p.m., and the forecast is for rain tomorrow, heavy at times.

I've had the scanner on most of the day but there seemed to be nothing in particular going on in our area.  Road crews were busy, but all the mishaps seemed to be on the interstates.  Both 89 and 91 were closed for several hours earlier in the day while vehicles were towed from the medians or pried from guard rails.  We didn't have to go anywhere today, and I decided against walking since at noon when I'd normally head out, our driveway was glistening with ice.  Instead, I found activities that required me to make several trips to our basement and back - I figured climbing stairs was about the same as climbing the hill, and a lot safer.

Even Woody has been content to stay inside today.  He ventured into the garage a couple of times, but didn't linger.  Too cold, too wet - he prefers lounging inside on a day like today, and even an occasional bird or squirrel in the trees outside don't grab his attention for long.

Speaking of squirrels - I saw a big gray go loping through our back yard the other day.  We don't have many gray squirrels in our area, so I was surprised to see one.  A few years back I saw one going through on the front lawn.  Whatever they are about, both seemed intent on getting to their destination, wherever that might be, and traveled in a straight line without stopping.  Just passing through, I expect.  I don't think we have the right kind of trees growing here to provide them with the food they like.

We haven't seen the turkeys since before Thanksgiving - but I'm sure they are ok and have found some other good feeding place.  It was interesting watching them, though.  Perhaps they'll return now most of the snow is gone and they won't need to scratch so hard to find the little apple berries.

We had a call from Granddaughter Tangeni last night.  First she thanked us for inviting her for Thanksgiving dinner, and then she began telling me all about the mail she got yesterday.  I'd subscribed to Ranger Rick Magazine for her a few weeks ago and it had finally arrived.  She read some of it to me over the phone and I was pleased she was so excited.  Her dad told me later that she was taking it to school today - the assignment was to find something beginning with the letter "G" and bring it to school and report on it.  She was going through the magazine hoping to find something.  Kindergarten isn't just coloring and pasting anymore!  She's also starting basketball practice.  No wonder the Waterford School kids are really good at basketball by the time they graduate!  They get started early.

Our older grandaughter, Jo-Ann, is also playing basketball at her school, so both girls are very busy - and of course so are mom and dad getting the girls to wherever they need to be.  I was so fortunate to live in town when my kids were growing up.  They could walk or ride their bikes to everything.  With only one of me and three of them, it would have been impossible otherwise.  It was also a very different time - it was safe for kids to walk to school.  Now, not so much, sadly.

Jaquith Public Library, Marshfield

Message from Susan Green:
 

Art and Author Night: Veins of Gold

Friday, December 2  

 6 p.m. Art Opening with artist Suki Ka’Pinao White

Inspired by my husband's recent open heart surgery~ a visual exploration of what connects us to our roots and to each other by re-imagining the veins that carry our life's blood into re-routed golden inner rivers of energy where we are given a chance to become the best of ourselves by magic + connection + transformation. 

___________________________________________________

7 p.m. Author Sandra Erickson will read her poems

Potter, poet, educator, Sandra Erickson divides her time between her studio, study and classrooms, both in New England and Canada. Her first chapbook, Epiphany 47, won Shadow Poetry Publication's 2003 chapbook competition. She also has a collection of flash fiction stories, Cadmium, which has been used to teach the flash fiction form, in high school classrooms, in Montreal. She is currently working on the illustrations for several children's poems.

Refreshments will be served.--

Susan Green

Director

Jaquith Public Library

122 School St. RM 2

Marshfield, VT 05658

802-426-3581

                                                                                               

Our weather has changed, as predicted.  It's been foggy and mild today so we've lost some of our snow; but tonight we've begun a light mix of rain and snow, so driving will no doubt be messy.  

We have had a number of fairly minor fender-benders on West Shore Road lately.  Actually, two on W. Shore Road and one on Brickett's Crossing Road, just off W. Shore Road.  One happened a week ago Friday by Rossi's, then someone went off on Brickett's Crossing Road, and Wednesday our neighbor, Cecil Metcalf (Deeper Ruts Road), fell asleep coming home in his pickup and went off the road just beyond Randall's driveway, across from our house.  We didn't know

anything about it until we saw the truck over the bank.  The wrecker pulled it out today (B & B Towing and Recovery out of Lyndonville and Brownington) and Cecil said his truck is undamaged - but he broke his nose.  Some kind lady happened to be driving by right after the accident and gave him a ride home.  He had his dog with him, and it is really fortunate neither he nor his dog  was seriously hurt.  He narrowly missed a utility pole and some large trees before landing in pucker brush. 

We also learned that Cecil's wife, Elaine, who many of you know from her selling fresh vegetables most summers, has been quite ill and is now about to come home after being at St. J. Health and Rehabilitation Center.  She will still have a long way to go for full recovery, but it's good she will be able to be at home.  In case you'd like to send Elaine a card, their home address is:  171 Deeper Ruts Rd., Cabot, Vermont 05647.  We wish Elaine a speedy recovery - and Cecil's nose, as well.  Talk about bad luck coming in bunches!

I've been enjoying the Christmas season for a while now.  During the recent campaigning, when most of television was given up to campaign ads or gloomy news I had become really tired of, I began watching Hallmark made-for-tv movies.  You probably know about them - there is no violence or profanity, the meanest people always have a change of heart (or lose the guy) and there's always a happy ending.  Soppy, yes, but I don't cringe, grit my teeth or feel anger as I watch - in fact, mostly I can predict the outcome, but it's nice to know all will turn out just as it should and everyone will live happily ever after.  I sometimes watch the Hallmark Mystery Channel, too - not as bland, but still way better than the violence in the real world or the exaggerated mayhem in lots of today's new movies.  A bunch of new Hallmark movies that came out this weekend, and that's how I spend a couple hours every evening.  No suspense, no tension, just plain relaxation and lots of Christmas spirit.

Black Friday seems to have been quite a success for businesses all over.  Personally, I cannot imagine wrestling through crowds like we saw in the news today.  Especially, I can't imagine "camping out" for hours in the cold waiting for a store to open.  I can imagine shopping on line, I guess, but instead of any of that we stayed at home and enjoyed looking at the snow outside.

We've had a busy week with something going on every day, and neither of us spent much time on our computers - therefore, we got a little behind.  Today was a good day to catch up on some of that.

We had our family Thanksgiving on Wednesday evening.  Woody enjoyed his friend, Tangeni, being here.  He hadn't seen her for a while, and she was excited to pet and brush him, and the two of them found a wonderful hiding place under the coffee table in the living room. With the holiday table cloth draped over it, nobody could see them - or so they thought.  It's a favorite place for Woody to curl up, and apparently Tangeni followed him under there and liked it, too.  There was a near catastrophe when they got tangled up in the table cloth and nearly brought a flower arrangement and several coasters and other items down on their heads, but Grandpa was quick to the rescue and averted a big disaster. 

Woody has also especially enjoyed watching the 30 or more wild turkeys on our lawn the past several days.  He got to feast on tiny bits of our turkey and ham at almost every meal, too.  We were glad the turkeys weren't around when the family was here - it might have been hard to explain to five-year-old animal lover Tangeni that we were sitting down to enjoy eating a relative on those handsome big birds.  Well, perhaps they aren't the most beautiful birds around, but still . . .


There are quite a few Joe's Pond folks around for the holiday.  We've seen walkers and runners on our road - people who are not ordinarily here this time of year.  I know it's a special treat for them to come to their cabins in Vermont for a family Thanksgiving.  It's only in recent years that this has happened.  Not too many years ago, almost nobody had a home on the pond that could be opened easily after freezing weather.  Everyone disconnected their water so it wouldn't freeze, closed the door in September or October and wouldn't return until May or later, when the water could be turned on with no danger of frozen pipes.  Now cottages are well insulated and are easily opened up for winter vacations.  It probably still takes a little time for the chill to wear off when the heat is first turned on, but then everyone is warm and cozy and able to enjoy.

Our snowy weather may turn to some rain and make for not so picturesque vacationing in the next few days.  I hope we don't lose all the snow - I think we have about six inches on the ground here.  There is significant rain in the forecast, and that could wash away most of our snow, but there's a chance we will get more snow than rain.  Either way, the roads could get a little slick again, so drivers need to be extra careful.  Be safe, and enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend.

With the Thanksgiving holiday weekend finishing up, we look ahead to Christmas.  There will be beautiful displays in store windows and exciting things to do.  This was in my mail this morning from Helen Morrison, who volunteers at the Kingdom Animal Shelter (KAS):
 

We have a fun fundraiser coming up.  It is called the Twelve Days of Christmas...and Karla at St. J Subaru is helping us.  In fact, this is her idea and it is fabulous.  Here is how it works.  We have tickets that say Twelve Days of Christmas on them.  They each sell for $5.  Each buyer's stub then goes in "the pot".  Beginning on Dec. 13 and for the 12 days following, we will pick one winner each day and they will get all the prizes listed for that day.  And then their stub goes

back into the pot.  Theoretically, a person could win every day, every group of prizes.  There is a Keurig coffee machine, a $50 certificate towards dinner at Rabbit Hill Inn, a Detailing at St. J Subaru, cheese basket from Jasper Hill, and many more prizes....and the grand prize, two nights for two people with breakfast at the Danville Inn and Restaurant.  Check out the calendar of prizes that is attached. (Click on image to enlarge.)

P.S.  Don't forget to buy your 2017 KAS Cat Calendar.  $12.  They are available at Aquarealm, Morrison's, Locally Social Coffee, Green Mountain Books, The Freighthouse, the Danville Inn and Restaurant, Hastings Store, the Joe's Pond Craft Shop....and on our website.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE

from

a very snowy Joe's Pond!

Weather:  30 degrees and falling, snowing.

Looks like winter is here.

Jane:  Read on your Blog , passing of Don Mullally Sr. We served together as Asst. Judges and was saddened to hear. He was a fine man and will be missed. M. Chico Carcoba  

Memories, Wildlife & Weather

I mentioned previously that our long-time friend, Don Mullally, had passed away.  His obituary is in today's Caledonian-Record.
I also found an especially nice piece written about Don on the Seven Days site.  This photo came from that site, too - notice any resemblance to a young Frank Sinatra?  This picture was in the 1950's, about the time I first met Don.  

At the station over the years Dean Finney owned it, were fun and interesting people like Tom and Shirley Kibbe, Ken Green, Jim Edgerton, Stan Douglas, Doug Drown, Bob Hardy and Wayne Griffin.  There were lots of others - the turnover, except for Don, was frequent as announcers gained experience and moved on to larger stations -and of course some of them, like Dean Finney and Ken Green, have passed on.  We all like to remember those years from time to time.

Today reminds us that winter is nearly here.  I measured 4.5 inches of snow around 9:30 a.m. - I was a bit late because we had about 30 turkeys dining under our ornamental apple trees all morning, and I didn't want to interrupt their meal.  They were obviously very hungry - in fact, they returned for second helpings.  Those tiny little "apples" in the trees and on the ground seem to appeal to them.  They finally marched down our driveway and scampered across the road to an apple tree there, but the traffic finally discouraged them and I think they headed up towards Jamie and Marie's.   After they left, I went out on the deck to read the measurements in the snow tube for CoCoRaHS.  Since then, it has been snowing quite continuously, so I expect there's another inch or so now, at around noon.  The wind has died down, so it's just really a nice light snow falling - it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Here is an interesting story that Andy Rudin sent the link for yesterday that I didn't get a chance to post.  Thanks, Andy.  We've been hearing more about this in the past few days, especially with the forecast of snow and the scheduled World Cup Ski Races this weekend at Killington.  The folks at the mountain must be dancing-on-the-slopes happy to see all this snow.  

There's a lot at stake at ski resorts every year here in Vermont, and the anxiety regarding changes in weather patterns increases as we see lighter snowfall and warmer temperatures.  Our snow today is a good start - if it holds.  Time will tell; but in the meantime, it looks like there will be plenty of natural and man-made snow for the skiers this weekend. 

  

We have snow on the ground - about an inch of it, I think.  It isn't sticking to the roads, but it is on the grass and some of the trees.  We haven't had very cold temperatures all day, but it has been very blustery and not pleasant at all to be out and about.  So I stayed in.

Yesterday we took advantage of the nice weather and took a long walk in our woods.  It was so nice up there, and Jamie had been out bush-hogging the main trail along the hillside, so for quite a distance we had very good walking.  Then it got a little dicey, but just a matter of small saplings, fallen trees, mud and lots of navigating around areas too difficult.  The picture at the top is the easy part of the trail.  We were too busy clearing fallen branches and small downed trees out of the path to take pictures.  We cleared away some of the obstructions so when Jamie goes out again to continue with the mower, it will be easier for him to get through.  

The trail follows the side hill the whole length of our property, and as you can see, there are some really nice views of the pond from there.  We had to cut our walk short because when the sun dipped behind the hill above us, we knew it would be dark very soon, and we didn't want to be floundering around in rough country in the dark.  We were both tired when we got back, but it was great to be out there and check on everything.  Whenever we go up there, we find some new tree is down or there are moose tracks or bear scat.  We didn't find anything very unusual this trip.  If we get plenty of snow this winter, it will be much easier traveling on our trails with our snowshoes - and walking over the underbrush that trips us up this time of the year.
 

And here's the rest of the story about the mishap on West Shore Road yesterday, thanks to Tom Dente in Connecticut:

 Vt. State Police - 2:55 pm Fri Nov 18th, 2016

On the morning of November 18, 2016, Vermont State Police responded to a report of a single vehicle roll over on West Shore Rd, approximately half a mile from U.S Rt 2, in the town of Cabot, VT.

Operator #1 moved to the side of road to avoid an oncoming car then lost traction and began sliding down an embankment, eventually flipping over. There were no reported injuries during this crash. The operator was wearing her seatbelt and the airbags did deploy.
MUG SHOT: None
COURT ACTION: No
PH: (802) 748-3111
FX: (802) 748-1585
Trooper Casey Ross
Vermont State Police
"B" Troop - St. Johnsbury
1068 U.S. Route 5; Ste. 1
Saint Johnsbury, VT 05819
PH: (802) 748-3111
FX: (802) 748-1585
Email: casey.ross@vermont.gov<mailto:casey.ross@vermont.gov>
Vermont Department of Public Safety | Vermont State Police
Press Releases: http://vsp.vermont.gov/press_releases
Submit an Anonymous Tip: http://www.vtips.info
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/VermontStatePolice
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/VTStatePolice

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
CASE#: 16B104905
TROOPER: Casey Ross
STATION: St. Johnsbury
CONTACT#: 748-3111
DATE/TIME: 11/18/2016 Morning
STREET: West Shore Road
TOWN: Cabot
LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: U.S. Route 2
WEATHER: Sunny
ROAD CONDITIONS: Dry
VEHICLE #1
OPERATOR: Camille Prevost
AGE: 32
SEAT BELT? Yes
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: St. Johnsbury, VT
VEHICLE YEAR: 2015
VEHICLE MAKE: GMC
VEHICLE MODEL: Truck
DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Passenger side, Hood, & Roof
INJURIES: None

Relevant Address(es):
Saint Johnsbury, VT 05819 (Set as Local)
St Johnsbury, VT 05819 (Set as Local)
Cabot, VT 05647 (Set as Local)

Tom went to the Vermont State Police Press Release site and found the above.  I should have remembered to do that and will check that site more often.  I hadn't realized the State Police are on Facebook and Twitter . . . !

Today turned out to be pretty nice in spite of a slow, foggy start.  We had to go to St. Johnsbury this morning and as soon as we were a bit away from the pond, the sky began to clear.  We noticed on the way home around noon the pond was very still - like glass.  Even the big pond was quiet.  It's as if the pond is resting after a very busy summer.

As we came along West Shore Road, we noticed some strange marks in the road and on the bank next to Joanne Davis's cottage.  Later in the day I had a message and this photo from Diane Rossi.  Diane said nobody was hurt according to the State Police officer who was at the scene.  Diane watched as a wrecker successfully hauled the truck out.  She didn't know who the unfortunate driver of the vehicle was.  We're glad nobody was hurt and Joanne's cottage is intact.  The driver may have gotten too far over on the soft  shoulder.  After the rain of the past few days, it was likely a bit muddy at the very edge of the road, and there's quite a drop right at that spot, so it's no surprise the pickup rolled.  Diane said the air bag went off and the door wouldn't open, but other than that there didn't seem to be much damage to the truck. Diane was concerned that gasoline might have leaked from the vehicle, but the trooper assured her there was no leak.   Thanks to Diane for the picture and the report.

We are getting ready for a bit of nasty weather by Sunday.  Tomorrow is going to be nice, but then it will turn cold with snow in the higher elevations and in the words of the weather folks, it's going to be "blustery" on Monday and into Tuesday.  

Sadly, our friend, Don Mullallay, long-time morning announcer on local radio station WSTJ passed away.  He was taken sick about three weeks ago, but I heard last week he was home and doing well.  Apparently there were more complications.  He was 89.  We'll miss him, as will his family and the radio fans who heard his voice for so many years.  Both Don and his late wife, Val, were friends of our family - I'd worked with Don years ago at the radio station and had watched the three Mullallay kids grow up. Back in the day, Don was a performer at heart, commanding the floor with his jitterbug moves, singing Sinatra songs with the Big Band, and as Master of Ceremonies for all sorts of events - doing it all so well.  More recently, Don was always glad to do interviews with us about the Joe's Pond Ice-Out Contest.  He knew the history almost as well as those of us working on the contest, but he always made the interviews fresh and interesting, asking just the right questions.  He was a real professional and always a gentleman.  It's the end of an era, and that makes me sad; but more than that, I'll miss my old friend. 

Jaquith Public Library Schedule

Upcoming Events in December at the Jaquith Public Library

All events are free and held at the library (unless noted otherwise): For info: 802-426-3581

122 School St. RM 2, Marshfield, VT  jaquithpubliclibrary@gmail.com

or visit our website: www.jaquithpubliclibrary.org

Art and Author Night: Veins of Gold

Friday, December 2

6 p.m. Art Opening with artist Suki Ka’Pinao White

7 p.m. Author Sandra Erickson will read her poems

                                    

Inspired by my husband's recent open heart surgery~ a visual exploration of what connects us to our roots and to each other by re- imagining the veins that carry our life's blood into re-routed golden inner rivers of energy where we are given a chance to become the best of ourselves by magic + connection + transformation.  Refreshments will be served.

Classic Film Series

First Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

Rick Winston will introduce each film, and afterward will lead a discussion.

December 7th: The Band Wagon (1953). A pretentiously artistic director is hired for a new Broadway musical and changes it beyond recognition.Director: Vincente Minelli.Stars: Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, and Oscar Levant. For more info contact Tom Blachly at 229-5290 or at blachly@together.net

Climate Change and Tax Policy

Thursday, December 8 at 7 p.m.

State Representative Janet Ancel will speak about how tax policy can address climate change, focusing on a change last year in the fuel gross receipts tax and weatherization funding. Co-sponsored by the Marshfield Energy Committee and Jaquith Public Library

Is that Sapling a Son of a Beech or a Son of a Birch

Saturday, December 10 at 12 p.m.

Join Natural Marshfield for a winter tree identification walk with local expert Ed Jalbert.  Co-sponsored by the Marshfield Conservation Commission and the Jaquith Public Library. This talk is part of a monthly series of walks and talks about the local environment with Vermont naturalists, usually on the third Thursdays but consult website schedule.

Song Circle and Circle-songs with Heidi Wilson

Second Wednesdays starting on December 14 from 6:45 to 8:15 p.m.

We'll start each evening with a sing-along Song Circle using Rise Up Singing, the great collection of folk songs .  Then we'll explore some circle singing:  lifting our voices in spontaneous harmony rich songs.  We’ll sing renditions of both traditional songs and fresh brand new songs that we create together as we explore how to turn a simple melody into a living, changing, multi-layered song.  All voices and ages welcome.

Moving Pictures: Films about Immigration

Third Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

December 21: The Ballad of Little Jo (1993) Based on a true story; this film is a fine companion to November’s film, unfolding very near in place and time among the invaders. Its protagonist crosses territories of class, geography, gender and race.

Jaquith Young Writer’s Workshop

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

December 27, 28 and 29

9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Calling all young writers - Turn your story idea into a book!  We will meet for three sessions in this vacation week workshop to help develop writing skills, offer encouragement, brainstorm story ideas and offer gentle editing help.  Following the workshop, the books will be printed into softbound books for the writers to keep.  Suggested for young people ages 8-14.  Refreshments will be served!   All authors will be invited to participate in an upcoming Art and Author Night in January, celebrating the work of the talented young people in our community.  Pre-registration required and space is limited. Call the Jaquith Library at 802-426-3581to register.   

ONGOING EVENTS

 Story Time and Playgroup
Wednesdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. starting on September 21.
Join Sylvia Smith for story time, and follow up with playgroup with Cassie Bickford. For children birth to age six and their grown-ups. We follow the Twinfield Union School calendar and do not hold the program the days Twinfield is closed.

I went outside last night to wait for the moon to come up, but after about 20 minutes of standing around watching the horizon, I gave up and went inside.  After the moon was above the hill tops on the other side of Route 15, Fred got this picture (click to enlarge it).  We had hoped to catch it coming up behind the horizon when it always looks so much larger and there are trees that give the shot definition, but we were a little late.  I'll watch tonight, but probably won't catch it at just the right time - if it shows up at all with the clouds that came in this afternoon.

Our day was even warmer than yesterday, but soon after lunch we began to see the clouds rolling in.  We're expecting rain tonight, but after some damp weather for a couple of days, Friday and Saturday look like they will be just as nice as the past few days have been, with temperatures in the 50s.  Next week may cool down a tad, though, and snow flurries are in the forecast.  Hunters and snow sports enthusiasts are going to be happy if we get some measurable snow on the ground.  The rest of us - not so much.

I hope you will all be watching the "super moon" coming up over the horizon tonight.  The sky was very clear last night and it looks as if that will be the case again tonight.  Tonight is the official supermoon, I believe, but last night it seemed unusually large in the sky, especially when it is right at the horizon.  I didn't see it until it was high in the sky last night, but I was very aware that it was unusually bright, too.  It lit up outside the house nicely.  I'll watch more closely tonight.  It is directly opposite the sun at this point, so as the sun sinks in the west, the moon will be rising in the east.  I don't expect to be around to see it when it happens again in 2034, so I guess I'd better pay attention now.  I was around in 1948, but wasn't aware of it.  That was my first year in college - business school in Burlington - and I had more things to think about than watching the moon on a cold November night.

We had a surprise visit from our nephew and his 10 year old daughter on Saturday.  We went to Goodfellas in Danville for a bite to eat, and had a very nice time.  Arlenis is a sweet little girl, and we were reminded of our own 10-year old granddaughter when she arived from Namibia seven years ago.  It's amazing how time flies by.  We don't see them often because they live in New Jersey and don't get up this way often.

Today was another very nice day, exceptionally warm for November.  I was inspired to finish washing windows, and we got all of them done.  Except for some work still to do in the flower beds (which I've about made up my mind can wait until spring), we are ready for winter.  Time to think about other things.  Already we have Thanksgiving almost here and then Christmas will be right around the corner.  Holidays are great fun, but exhausting to think about . . .  

I hadn't heard from my friend, Mary Whitcomb, for a while so it was good the have this message and a couple of pictures from her today:
 Hello Jane,  I just finished reading your blog about the opossum in the ditch that George saw and wanted to share my opossum story with you.  I had a pair of them during the winter of 2013-2014 and then just one during the winter months in 2014-2015.  They would come about 6 pm to eat any leftover sunflower seeds.  They were hungry and like kids in a candy store, they loved to eat overripe bananas.  They didn’t mind when I turned on the light and took lots of pictures of them, but boy, oh boy, did they move ever so slowly!  Once they’d finished eating, they made they way down the steps, across the lawn, and back into the woods.  Even though last winter was warmer, they didn’t come back, but I enjoyed seeing them the 2 previous winters.  😊   Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Take care.  Mary Whitcomb'

Thank you for the message and great pictures, Mary.  

Fred just went out and got this picture of the moon coming up over the east shore of the pond.  It's been a lovely day with warm temperatures and lots of sunshine.  As I write this at 5 p.m., the temperature outside is 41 degrees and the sky, as you can see, is cloudless.  That probably means we'll have a fairly cold night, but even so, our mostly mild fall weather persists.  

Just when I think there's nothing happening around here, I get some interesting news!  Everyone knows we have lots of critters roaming the woods - not all four-legged this time of the year, but that's not the story.  George Parizo was headed past our house yesterday on his way to recycle in Cabot and on the flat beyond our driveway, saw something unusual in the ditch.  Here's what he told me:

On my way over the hill to Cabot recycling this am up on the flat above your place I saw a small gray body laying in the other side of the road. I drove past it and the then my brain kicked in. STOP! Reverse gear! (No one behind me) Wheels spinning I backed up and took another look. The gray form was a POSSUM !  It looked like it was asleep.
Possums have made their way into southern VT 4/5 years ago and I have seen them down there. Possums do not do well in cold weather - they become very slow moving and I have seen them lying in the roads down in Springfield sound asleep. I hope that’s what the possum was doing. It was not there when I returned. 
Possums are in the rat family and come equipped large constantly growing front teeth. Nothing I want to pick up without “Granny Clampet” there.  Could this be another sign of global warming?

 

George

 

Thanks, George.  I'm glad you took the time to go back and look at the animal.  I'm not sure it's good news that opossums are in our locale, but like all wild animals, I guess we have to accept them.  Just so they don't take up residence in our homes.  I know nothing about possoms, so I looked them up and found this National Geographic site.  I also found another site about accepting them in the wild or removing them if they decide to live in your attic. 

 

I was at first dismayed when I read George's e-mail, thinking this could be the beginning of problems; but apparently they generally don't bother anyone - they are just scavengers, like lots of other wildlife, and mind their own business most of the time.  We just need to keep tight lids on pet food stored in garages or sheds, and be careful about garbage being left outside.  They will feast on bugs, snails, grubs, etc., and help keep our gardens free of pests - so they really aren't all that bad.

Mystery Solved . . .

This message came from George Parizo today: 

 Hi Jane

 

I too was surprised to see bright lights on the water Thursday night. As a boat passed our house I got a good look at the boat. it was Paul Letourneau and crew with his work pontoon

boat. They were finishing up pulling docks out of the water for the season.  They were on the lake about an hour.

 

The Loon chick has not been seen since I saw it with the adult loon two week ago. Thinking it has left Joes Pond, Big flocks of Geese have been stopping to rest and have spent all day

in front of our place but have not ventured on to the lawn. They may have been to“pooped”to leave the water. There is some sort of plant on the bottom of the lake at our place and

ducks & geese feed on it. Yup lunch at the Parizo’s.  Maybe they know they are safe here as I no longer hunt?

 

Geroge Parizo

 

 Thanks, George, for letting us know.  Also, good news that the loons have probably left.  We don't want them to find themselves surrounded by ice and unable to fly out some morning.  As for the geese having lunch at Parizo's - let's hope next spring they don't decide to hang out for "lunch on the lawn."