Diane Rossi sent this picture of her view of the pond this morning:

     We've said in the pat that the pond will freeze over and open again usually three times before it freezes and stays solid until spring.  However, if I remember correctly, it froze last year about this time and never opened again until spring.  The next couple of days will be warmer, but whether it probably won't change the water temperature much.  Got your Ice-Out Contest tickets yet?  If not, get in touch with Diane or me - or stop by Hastings store.  We still have plenty of tickets!
     By the way, it's 16 degrees this morning - had a low of about 14 last night.  At least it's still ABOVE zero!

For my friends who are reading this in some warm, sunny winter retreat, you missed a wild winter day here at Joe's Pond.  We  have had snow for the past couple of days - not a lot, about four inches - but it has blown around and off the trees making it seem as if we were in a blizzard most of today.  The bottom of our driveway is swept clear of snow, but the rest of it is well covered.  Tonight is cold again - 13 degrees as I write this (11 p.m.) but the wind has quieted down, and that's good news.
     We're heading into another warming trend, so will probably lose at least some of our snow.  In the meantime, each week we get just a little colder and it's beginning to look more like winter than fall.
     Deer hunting was over Sunday evening, so I expect the deer that are left enjoyed a day without being startled by hunters invading their home territory.  We saw lots of pickup trucks with men in red garb peering out of the windows as they drove down West Shore Road Sunday afternoon.  Hoping to spot a deer in the last hours.  I didn't hear many gun shots this year.  Perhaps not as many hunters in the area - lots of land is now posted, so it may not be quite as easy to find a place to hunt around here.
     I got out a few Christmas decorations today and hung some greens on the doors - too cold to fool around outside getting brush for swags or wreaths, so I clipped some low-hanging branches next to the driveway and tied them together.  Some years I've made wreaths, but the spirit hasn't moved me in that direction yet. I've been watching the massive advertising - Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday.  Some good deals, I'm sure, for folks buying Christmas gifts, or a great time to pick up household items like televisions, microwaves and other big items.  Local shops are offering great deals, too.  So good luck if you're shopping!

A week or so ago I posted a picture of the really nice bath towels available at Hastings store right now.  Mary was holding a blue one and it was almost as long as she is tall.  I thought you might like to see the variety of colors available, so here's another shot.  The big throws with Joe's Pond on them are on the bottom shelf.
         While I was there I noticed the nice stock of sweatshirts - lots of colors and sizes for kids and adults.  Nice quality and they make great gifts.  There are different logos on the sweatshirts.  The first shows the larger design, and the next picture has a much smaller design - but the colors are nice.  There is another rack with smaller sizes, and one little yellow romper for a baby that's really cute.  That probably won't last long, but give Garey a call in case it's still available if you're interested.
     The shirts on the manikins are lighter weight, but still very nice.   Indian Joe, in the background is not for sale. 
     The store is a great place to shop - lots of stocking stuffers and interesting Vermont products.
     Don't forget to stop in and check out all the nice gifts at the Joe's Pond Craft Shop while you are in town.  Deb Stresing has some very nice things in her shop, and she'll be able to help you find just the right item you didn't even think of for that hard-to-please person on your list. 
     Then stop by Three Ponds for a nice lunch - or maybe start off there with breakfast.  They are still open Thursday through Monday.  Never mind if it's a little colder and snowier in West Danville - in these places of business, you'll find a warm smile and friendly greeting that will warm you right up and fill you with Christmas Cheer!
     I nearly forgot to mention - Garey also has copies of the Cabot oral history book, Cabot, Vermont, A Collection of Memories From the Century Past, published in 1999.  There is a section on Joe's Pond, and lots of stories and pictures about life in Cabot back in the day, co-authored by Amanda Legare (Legare's Greenhouse on Route 215), Barbara Carpenter (Carpenter Organic Farm, Cabot), and yours truly.  We had a wonderful time writing that book, and I still enjoy getting together with Barbara and Amanda.  We never fail to recall some funny story about those interviews.
     

 




 

Today was "Black Friday," supposedly the busiest day of the year for merchants.  We were in St. Johnsbury today for Fred's appointment with his oncologist, and afterwards, went to the mall so I could pick up more reading glasses - I get three pairs for $2.99, and they're great.  I leave a pair or two in every room because I'm always needing to read fine print on something - but somehow they always still disappear and then I find 3-4 pairs in one place and none where I need them. 
     Back to shopping.  There was perhaps a little more activity than we usually see at the mall, but not a lot. I think people are waiting for snow and perhaps want to wait until it's closer to Christmas.  Or it could be that the area is seriously depressed - not a lot of money available for Christmas shopping.  
     I found some spectacles to replenish my supply since over time I've had to toss a couple pairs.  The bow dropped off in one instance - plastic hinge, not a pin, and I dropped another pair and the plastic holding the lens broke.  I glued it, but it never quite lined up correctly and kept coming unglued, so I ditched that pair, too.  I'd only had them for about three years.  I couldn't find any colorful ones this time - but I can take care of that with nail polish.
     I read in the Hardwick Gazette that Joni Calcagni (North Shore Road) is teaching a dance class at the Woodbury school.  That's pretty neat.  I bet the kids (and parents) love having that advantage.  Our grandchildren have both been involved with dancing and loved it.  Tangeni misses going with her big sister this year.
     I spent some time at the Danville town offices researching some deeds this week.  Not a very productive session.  I came away with more questions than answers, but will go back again when I have more time and try again.  I'm hoping to find out some of the very early owners of buildings in West Danville.  The trouble is, those old timers exchanged property more often than their underwear.  Farms got sold or were rented out, put up as collateral, and property lines were designated by a beech tree or a "big rock" or were bordered by a road that is no longer on any map, so more often than not, I don't have a clue which property is the one that still exists.  Some of those old guys made a living from buying and selling real estate, I think.  In the total scheme of things, I don't suppose it's critical to nail down this information, but I'd still like to try.

It's always a pleasure to include material from others here.  This morning I share a very appropriate and thoughtful essay my friend, Andy Rudin, shared with me yesterday.

Pleasant Debt

by Andrew Rudin

Thanksgiving, 1999

                   (Honorable mention in a National Public Radio Essay Contest)

   Nearing November, as the air becomes cool, my heart warms with the anticipation of Thanksgiving.  I feel no pressure of giving or receiving gifts, no pressure from advertisers, no Santa or Minora, no cards, no music dedicated to the occasion.  Just the occasion itself creates my anticipation.

     Eventually, I will sit around a table with family and friends to enjoy one of the most special meals of the year, one that takes the longest time and care to prepare.  As that time nears, the colors of fall, the crispness of the air begin to coach me about humility.  I feel the power of seasons and the frailty of people.

     My earliest memory of Thanksgiving was at my grandmother’s home in Rutland, Vermont.  Her kitchen was the center of the universe, the source of the smells of fresh Swedish bread, of stuffing and turkey.  There was a glow from the kitchen, not only from the light and the warmth of the wood stove, but also from the laughter.  Grandma’s huge grey cat would make the rounds from lap to lap and hand to hand, making sure that everyone felt the warmth.

     In my heart, giving thanks transcends everything.  I know that some of us may not profess a belief in God, but each of us is nonetheless overwhelmed by the moonlight and shadows, the glory of a waterfall, the brilliance of a flower or the love shared with friends.  These gifts come without cost or inconvenience.  They are merely here for all of us to enjoy.  How can I thank for a flower?

     We get ready now.  We all have made some kind of harvest in the lush summer, but we sense the change of seasons.  We gather together.  Some may try to say thanks, some may not.  However it happens, for this special time, deep inside we acknowledge a blessing, a gift that can only be received, an acceptance of a mysterious debt that needs no payment other than enjoyment.

     Whatever it is, wherever it comes from, and with whatever value each of us grants it, I give so much thanks for Thanksgiving. 

    The lost scissors are found!  Fred borrowed Jamie's metal detector this morning and within less than five minutes, found the scissors in deep snow - a pile left from shoveling off the deck.  Apparently they had been in the burlap when I wrapped it around the big old rhododendron, and dropped into the snowbank.  That was not a place we would have thought to look, but fortunately, Fred methodically covered the whole garden area, just in case, and found them.  
     A reader suggested using a magnet, and I think that might have done it, too - except I probably wouldn't have thought to look in the snowbank well to one side of where I'd been working.  Thanks for the suggestion, though.
    Today is dreary again.  Not cold, just dark and Novemberish.  My thermometer is reading 36 degrees, and nothing is happening.  No wind, no snow, no rain.  Just dark, dreary and depressing - except it's almost Thanksgiving, and then so soon afterwards comes Christmas and the New Year, most of us don't have time to be depressed.  And for some of us, therein lies the problem.
    Holiday depression is very real, and there are probably nearly as many causes as there are individuals who experience it.  Everyone reacts differently to different situations.  For some people, it's not being with family during the holidays, for others it's BEING with family that causes it.  I saw a cute cartoon the other day - a young woman has screaming children circling her as she talks on the phone:
Daughter:  "Mom, you and dad aren't coming for Thanksgiving?"  
Mother:  "Your father is taking me on a cruise!"  
Daughter:  "But if you're on a cruise, you won't be with your family!"  
Mother:  "That's pretty much the whole idea."
    For most of us, being with family, eating too much and maybe watching hours of football is just what we do on Thanksgiving.  There are a lot of people who prefer to spend their Thanksgiving providing meals for less fortunate, elderly or lonely people, and that's wonderful.  There are many kind and thoughtful people around who look after their neighbors.

    There are also a lot of folks in our region who look forward to Thanksgiving as their time to get out into the woods to hunt deer with their buddies while their wives and girlfriends go shopping for Christmas.  So, whatever fills your bucket, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving. 
     As I finish writing this, snow is beginning to fall. 

Construction Update Cabot Danville US 2 Reconstruction FEGC F 028-3(26) C/2    Project Location:  The 1.4 mile project extends along US 2 from Last Road to Danville Hill Road in Cabot. This is a multi-year project with most of the work occurring in 2017/2018. Completion is scheduled for 2019. Thanksgiving Holiday Break:  No work will be performed on the project from Wednesday afternoon (11/22) through Sunday (11/26).  Work will resume on Monday (11/27).   Week of November 27th, 2017 US 2 – East (Danville Side) of Goodrich’s Maple Farm Most of the work this week will occur behind the barrier near Goodrich’s Maple Farm.  Short traffic interruptions may occur to allow for trucks to enter and exit the construction site. Crews will continue construction on the second phase of excavation for the new roadway alignment east of Goodrich’s Maple Farm.  Work will include installing new underdrain and select stone material.  Excavation for the retaining wall at Goodrich’s Farm will start this week also. * Trucks will be hauling material to the fill area near the Folsom Farm throughout the week which could result in minor traffic interruptions as trucks access the area. Traffic – Minor traffic delays can be expected this week. It is illegal in VT to use any handheld portable electronic devices while driving. The law carries fines of up to $200 with points assessed if the violation occurs in a work zone.  Contact Francine Perkins, Project Outreach Coordinator, FRP Enterprises, LLC with any questions or concerns with regards to the project at 802-479-6994.  Construction updates are posted at www.roadworkupdates.com

    This has been a really nice day - good for catching up on outdoor stuff, if you put things off because of the nice weather, like I did.  I have three "tender" shrubs I like to wrap in burlap so they don't get frost burn, and I had delayed doing that because when I would normally do it - mid to late October, it was so warm I thought it would be better to wait.  Then of course we got cold weather and snow - but I lucked out.  The ground isn't frozen, so I was able to get stakes in where I needed to, and today was even warm enough so I didn't come in cold to the bone.  I did manage to lose my favorite scissors, though.  They are in the snow somewhere, but both Fred and I have looked and couldn't locate them.  Darn!  I knew when I took them out of the kitchen it was a bad idea, but I didn't want to go down in the basement to get a pair from the workbench - figured I'd only need them to cut one piece of burlap.  That was true, but in the meantime, I think they got caught in some of the old burlap I had in the wheelbarrow - I was being so clever to take all my material and tools in the wheelbarrow so I wouldn't need to keep running back and forth the get stuff.  Anyway, when I took out the old burlap, they must have been caught in it, so goodness knows where they ended up.  Somewhere in the snow, probably not to be found until spring - if at all.
    While out there, I discovered I'd forgotten to finish painting the window sash on the basement window I'd worked on back in October.  Got it all scraped down at the same time I was doing the garage windows.  I painted the garage windows, but ran out of time or warm weather, and then forgot about the basement window.  If we have a nice warm day, I may get out there and slap a coat of paint on to at least protect the bare wood this winter.
     At least our cat, Woody, is earning his keep around here.  This is the time mice like to get into any place they can build a nest to stay warm through the winter, and two nights in a row Woody has caught a mouse.  Sunday night I let him in from the garage and he brought in a live mouse.  He let it go beside Fred who was standing by the kitchen counter - we both saw it at the same time, and Fred was able to step on the mouse's tail.  I got gloves (we've been through this plenty of times, so know the drill) and Fred was able to capture the mouse in his hands and take it outside.  He said he felt bad about releasing the mouse in the snow - it was pretty cold Sunday night.  I bet the mouse was back in the garage before Fred got back in the house.  We decided Fred should be the one letting Woody in from the garage - he sees better than I do.  Last night when Woody knocked on the door to come in, Fred went to the door and checked for a mouse - but after Woody got in the kitchen, he dropped a mouse, this time headless, on the floor.  Perhaps the same mouse - who knows!  We like that he is a good hunter, but wish we could somehow convey to him the "presents" are neither wanted nor appreciated.  At least I'm off the hook now as being the one who isn't careful enough about checking the cat for wild things before letting him into the house!
 

     It seems the days go by quickly, in spite of it being dull and sunless outside.  The milder days recently and rain last night washed away nearly all of the snow on the ground around Joe's Pond area.  Now the sprinkles we had this morning have turned to snowflakes and the ground around our house has turned from bright green to light green as the snow begins to stick.  My thermometer is showing 32 degrees, down from the 40s yesterday, and seems to be falling.  The prediction is we may have a couple of inches by tomorrow morning.  One thing is for sure, it's a raw day outside.
     We lost power for about 20 minutes mid-morning.  We know from calling Washington Electric there were lots of towns without power, and suspect it has to do with wind.  As the temperature was dropping rapidly early this morning, the wind picked up considerably, and there's still a good 15 mph NE wind registering on my wind gauge.  With the soggy ground, there could be more trees down before things quiet down.
     During the past several days I've been working on a chapter for the West Danville history book about lumbering.  Sometimes  unexpected chapters seem to develop all by themselves.  In working on a segment about general commerce, I realized we have gathered a lot of information about lumbering "back in the day."  I came upon lots of things I needed to verify or that simply piqued my interest, one of which was a new saw that was "rope powered."  This was in one of West Danville's water-powered mills, so I believe it was and "up-and-down" saw.  If you haven't seen one of these old up-and-down saws working, click on the link.  It's amazing they were able to saw the amount of lumber that they apparently did at such a slow rate.  Later on, steam powered sawmills used circular saws that were much faster and gave a cleaner cut.  However - looking at all the moving parts made from wood, I'm fascinated at the ingenuity of the whole process. 
     I never did find out exactly what a "rope powered" saw was all about, but I found out Vermont has made a fairly miraculous comeback in reforestation after the timber here was decimated in the 1800s.  Foresters are saying Vermont - especially the Northeast Kingdom - is beginning to look very much as it did when the first settlers pushed north from Massachusetts.  Of course, there isn't the old growth the settlers found, but because most of the forested land is our state is privately owned and Vermont has strict laws about clear-cutting, we are unlikely to experience the bald hillsides that were once the view from every homestead and highway by the turn of the century.  I particularly like this old photo showing the area above our present beach, the railway station and lumber stacked and waiting to be shipped.  Notice the cleared land behind the town.  This was probably taken in early 1900s.  In this second photo, about the same vintage, the hills above Route 2 are open farm land.  You can also see a boom of logs in the shallows on the right of the picture, just above where the beach is today.  Logs were kept in booms until the mill was ready to take them into the sleuce for sawing.  Booms were held in the cove near Point Comfort, as well.
     I'm watching the temperature still heading downward but also some sunshine breaking through the snow showers.  An interesting weather day!  Also interesting is that our power blipped off again a few minutes ago just enough to startle me and knock my computer off.  Nothing was lost, but it's one of those days it may be better to go read a book than work on the computer.

.
    

Construction Update
Cabot Danville US 2 Reconstruction
FEGC F 028-3(26) C/2

  
Project Location:  The 1.4 mile project extends along US 2 from Last Road to Danville Hill Road in Cabot. This is a multi-year project with most of the work occurring in 2017/2018. Completion is scheduled for 2019.

Thanksgiving Holiday Break:  No work will be performed on the project from Wednesday afternoon (11/22) through Sunday (11/26).  Work will resume on Monday (11/27).
 

 

Week of November 20th, 2017
 

     Construction will be occurring in several areas within the project limits this week.  A majority of the work this week will occur east of Goodrich’s Maple Farm.
      Minor work will be performed on the temporary roadway approaches for the temporary bridge that will be placed over Molly’s Brook just south of Last Road.  Traffic can expect minor interruptions.

US 2 – East (Danville Side) of Goodrich’s Maple Farm
       Crews will continue construction on the second phase of excavation for the new roadway alignment east of Goodrich’s Maple Farm.  Work will include installing new underdrain and select stone material.
      Crews will be excavating to tie in the existing roadway to the new roadway alignment which is under construction.

* Trucks will be hauling material to the fill area near the Folsom Farm throughout the week which could result in minor traffic interruptions as trucks access the area.
      Alternating one-way traffic will be maintained for the construction package east of Goodrich’s Maple Farm. Expect short delays.  

US 2 Bridge #88 (Near Folsom Farm) Replacement:  
      Work on the bridge will be wrapping up for the winter this week.  Crews will resume work on the bridge in the spring of 2018.

Traffic – Minor traffic delays can be expected this week.

It is illegal in VT to use any handheld portable electronic devices while driving. The law carries fines of up to $200 with points assessed if the violation occurs in a work zone. 

Contact Francine Perkins, Project Outreach Coordinator, FRP Enterprises, LLC with any questions or concerns with regards to the project at 802-479-6994.  Construction updates are posted at www.roadworkupdates.com

 

 

You may not be thinking about Christmas where you are, but here at Joe's Pond, it's beginning to look - well, you know the rest.  The

ground is white, the air is cold, we expect sleigh bells to ring any time.  At Hastings Store in West Danville, Garey and Jane have a nice supply of lush, colorful towels, monogrammed, "Joe's Pond, Vermont."  Fred got this picture yesterday - that's Mary peeking holding it and peeking over the top.  They are BIG, and will make great gifts.  I'll get another picture next time I'm there so you can see all the colors.  They are beautiful.
     Then there's the Joe's Pond throw - it's woven cotton and also beautiful.  Makes a great wall hanging or keep it on the sofa for napping.  Lots of decorative things you can do with one of those, and it's a great reminder of Joe's Pond.  
     Either of these items are perfect gifts for any occasion - birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Christmas or just because.  Give Garey a call, 802-6584-3398, or send him a note at P. O. Box 58 to learn more about these items.  He'll be happy to ship your choice to you. 
     Deer hunting has begun and will last until the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  We haven't seen a lot of hunters in our area, but they are out there.   When you are walking on the rail-trail, West Shore Road, or anywhere there's woods or fields, you could be mistaken for a deer by a careless or inexperienced hunter, so be sure you wear lots of hunter orange, neon pink or red rather than dark colors, and certainly don't wear tan or brown colored clothing.  It's a good idea to have a bright red bandana around your dog's neck, too.  And before you step into a clearing, it's a good idea to cough loudly or whistle.  When hunters are watching for deer, they often find a spot at the edge of a clearing where they know deer come out to feed, therefore, if they see you emerging from a wooded area, even if you are on a path or road, they could mistake you for a deer.  Hunters might not like that you are making noise and possibly scaring off deer, but they also understand you are being cautious.  Better safe than sorry, so cough or sing or whistle as you go merrily on your way in your pretty, bright, reflective outfit.

    Let's take every opportunity today and every day, to thank our veterans for their service.  Those who have served, and those brave men and women who are serving in our military today, deserve our highest respect and praise.  The least we can do is to personally thank them.  I say a big THANK YOU!
     
     Gretchen says these photos are to kick-start the Joe's Pond Ice-Out ticket sales!  
    

 
I received these beautiful photos this morning from Gretchen Farnsworth (Sandy Beach Road).  Gretchen is always ready with her camera to catch the latest activity on the pond, and her vantage point at the head of the pond where the channel enters, is a wonderful spot for wildlife.  It also gives us a clue about the pond freezing and thawing, since it is the first location to show signs of change.  
     This morning a good portion of it is covered with "cat ice" that supports snow.  And no wonder - last night was near zero degrees.  My weather station shows an overnight low of 9 degrees, and a wind-chill low of -16 degrees.  That's cold, even for mid-November.  This will be a signal for the ducks and geese to clear out of here - it won't be long before the rest of the pond is frozen over if these cold days/nights continue. 

We have had our first real snow storm - not much snow (about an inch here at the pond) but really strong winds that sent the cold right through us.  Fred had appointments at Norris Cotton Cancer Center in St. J. this morning, so we bundled up and hit the road fairly early.  Driving wasn't bad, and by the time we got east of Danville, there was hardly any snow on the road and none on the ground in St. Jay.  The wind was still cold, but not like in West Danville.  When we returned, late morning, we could see the swirling snow as we came over the brow of the hill by Frye's Quarry Road.   There was a white haze over West Danville, and as soon as we rounded the corner where the road crosses the rail trail. the swirling snow hit us and we were transported into a whole different world of wind, snow and bitter cold.  
     Hastings Store was cozy and warm, and although there weren't many people around, Garey and Jane were both in high spirits.  Garey was arranging a supply of very colorful towels with "Joe's Pond" embroidered on them - really soft and pretty.  He said he has a good supply if people want them for Christmas presents.  Nice.  And right beside them are the Joe's Pond throws - also a great gift for any time.  I'm going to get some photos to post on the website.
     Someone had ordered 75 Ice-Out tickets, and Garey was waiting for a mailing address so he could send them out.  Just one more thing he does for Joe's Pond Association.  
     This afternoon I decided I had to make up for some lost time at the computer, so was concentrating on editing a chapter for the

West Danville History when something caught my attention outside on the back lawn.  A pretty doe with two good-sized fawns came out of the pucker-brush at the upper edge of our lawn and scampered out of sight around the corner of the house.  I knew where they were headed - the apple trees.  The crab trees, one big one and another much smaller, had great crops of apples this year.  My other ancient apple tree didn't have a single apple.  The three deer plucked the low-hanging fruit from the trees and then pawed through the snow to get those on the ground.  They were there for a long time - I had to leave after I took a few pictures, but Woody kept watching.  He is very interested when he's inside looking out at them - but outdoors, since he was chased by an angry doe a few years ago, he wants nothing to do with deer.  You can see the back of Woody's head in the middle picture as he watches intently.  Below, the doe was right under the livingroom window getting apples in the snow -- she was very pretty and healthy looking, and the two youngsters were, too.  They were more inclined to be silly, jumping around and playing in the snow while mom was being very cautious.  Fun to watch.  
     Cold night again tonight - already my thermometer is reading only 15 degrees.  The wind is still blowing.  I noticed the wind chill low, probably overnight or early this morning, was -9 degrees.  Yes, that's a "minus" nine.  Winter is here, I guess.

We're in for another cold night - and tomorrow night will be REALLY cold, according to the forecast.  Today was best described as "raw."  It's that cold damp that penetrates right to your bones.  I guess it's partly because we're so unprepared after the ultra-warm weather we were having a few days ago.  This is a system shock.
     Other parts of the country are still in fall mode.  Andy Rudin sent these photos and wrote: 

 

Here are three photos of the foliage down here. Its peak here is about one month after that at Joes Pond.   What a difference 424 miles makes!!!

 

    When I first looked at these, I thought they were some Andy had taken before he left Vermont, but I couldn't make them seem quite right, at least not for our immediate area - the pine trees, etc., didn't look like West Danville or Joe's Pond.  Really nice, though, and thanks to Andy for sending them.  

    We were in Burlington yesterday for my eye appointment.  Both eyes are being treated, so each month I get a shot in alternate eyes.  It sounds worse than it really is, although sometimes if the antiseptic used on my eyeball  before the doctor does the injection doesn't get well rinsed out, my eye will sting a lot. Anyway, on the way over, everything was covered with frost here in our area - all the way to about Montpelier.  Plainfield was completely socked in with fog, and the trees looked as if they had been sprayed with fake snow.  Very pretty.  Unfortunately, we didn't have the camera with us.  Some folks never learn.  We used to always take it but didn't use it, but it never fails that if we leave it at home, we see something picture worthy.  Of course, in Burlington it was sunny and mild, I don't think they'd had even a light frost.

     Today we went to St. Johnsbury for haircuts.  We are still sometimes surprised at the difference in temperature between here and St. Jay.  We went bundled up like it was January, and had the seat warmers going all the way into town (that is so nice to have a warm back and butt!!!), and when we got out of the car expecting a really cold blast of air, we were both surprised at how much warmer it was.  Not much wind (St. Johnsbury is in a valley) and really quite nice.  We were able to shed a layer.  However, when we stopped at Hastings on the way home, we were glad to have that extra layer - the wind was whipping down the pond and the water looked dark and menacing.

    Already folks are thinking about Christmas.  Garey told me about someone wanting 75 tickets to give to their employees as at Christmas.  Every year we have one or two employers who do that, and it's very nice.  Usually it's a company outside of our area.  I guess local companies figure their EEs know about the contest and will pick up their own tickets.  It's really amazing how out-of-state folks know about the contest.  When we say we are from Vermont, people say, "Oh, yes, maple syrup.  If we say we're from Cabot, people immediately identify with Cabot cheese, but if we say we are from Joe's Pond, quite often we get, "Oh, where they have that big ice contest!"  I remember years ago when I spent some time in Minnesota, I was quite surprised that some people truly didn't have any idea where Vermont was.  That was before the digital revolution when the world was still big and unfamiliar.  One thing I learned about Minneapolis, though - they have A LOT of snow there!!  I was there in the fall and soon after I arrived I sent home to have my winter clothes sent out to me.  There were days in the winter when the only transportation running reliably was streetcars.  That was in the early 1950s.  The rail system through the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul was abandoned in 1954, but now city planners are bringing a "light rail" system back.  What is the old saying, "everything old is new again"?  

     I wonder - does that apply to old folks, as well?  Maybe if we manage to "reinvent" ourselves and benefit from our past experience?   Perhaps that's when people look at us and decide we aren't just odd old folks, we might actually "know a thing or two because we've seen a thing or two."  (Thank you, Farmer's Insurance.)  It's worth thinking about!

Construction Update Cabot Danville US 2 Reconstruction FEGC F 028-3(26) C/2 Project Location:  The 1.4 mile project extends along US 2 from Last Road to Danville Hill Road in Cabot. This is a multi-year project with most of the work occurring in 2017/2018. Completion is scheduled for 2019. Wednesday, November 8, 2017, traffic was shifted to use the completed first phase of the new US 2 alignment on the east end of the project!  Crews will now start construction of phase II of the new alignment.     Week of November 13th, 2017 Construction will be occurring in several areas within the project limits this week.  In addition to the work below, crews may start constructing the new alignment slopes just east of Folsom Farm. US 2 – East (Danville Side) of Goodrich’s Maple Farm Crews will start the second phase of excavation for the new roadway alignment east of Goodrich’s Maple Farm.  Work will include installing new underdrain and pipe work in this section. Alternating one-way traffic will be maintained for the construction package east of Goodrich’s Maple Farm.  Expect short delays. US 2 Bridge #88 (Near Folsom Farm) Replacement:   Crews will be completing the concrete pours on the new bridge.    Traffic impacts will be minimal at this construction operation. Traffic – Minor traffic delays can be expected this week. It is illegal in VT to use any handheld portable electronic devices while driving. The law carries fines of up to $200 with points assessed if the violation occurs in a work zone.  Contact Francine Perkins, Project Outreach Coordinator, FRP Enterprises, LLC with any questions or concerns with regards to the project at 802-479-6994.  Construction updates are posted at www.roadworkupdates.com