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.