I'm sitting in my office looking out at the snow-laden trees, listening to Christmas music, and thinking how beautiful it all is.
     I've shoveled off the deck so I could get to my measuring tube, and it was actually pretty nice out there. The temperature is warming up from single numbers yesterday to in the twentys now. When I was outside the snow was just beginning to turn into rain. It was fine and misty then, but definitely has changed to mostly rain in the past hour--right on schedule, according to the forecast.
     I measured seven inches of new snow from overnight. I can't say how much we have on the ground now, but it must be in the vicinity of a foot. Should be a good start for the snowmobile season, and certainly great for skiing and boarding. Unless, of course, we get enough rain to ruin everything. It doesn't appear that will happen. Although the rain may make driving hazardous for a while today, it may not be enough to take away much of the snow cover we've built up.
     I took some pictures from our living room windows last night while the snow was coming down heavily, and again this morning. It snowed hard most of the day yesterday. We went to St. Johnsbury in the morning and the driving was just ok. Cars were moving along steadily, but the roads were obviously slippery in spots. The evening news had reports of tractor trailers jackknifing on the interstates and a few fender-benders, but we didn't hear of anything serious in our area. 
     These pictures are from our window, the top one taken last night and then two taken  this morning. 
     These were taken yesterday as we were coming home from St. J.--coming up Dole Hill in Danville. That is the first pond, looking from Route 2W towards Route 15. The pond is solidly frozen now, and all is well covered with snow. I think we won't see open water again until spring. The last picture is on Route 2W, just before the turn onto West Shore Road.
     The plows have been busy and kept our road very clear all day yesterday. I didn't hear it during the night, but traffic was moving early this morning and I think roads are pretty much back to normal for the time being. With the rain, that will probably change, but road crews are out and dealing with all of it.

     I talked with Shelly Walker last night. She is home from the hospital and feeling much better, but because of the bad roads yesterday, her friend who was going to come to stay with her for a day or so couldn't get here. Shelly said that was ok as she's feeling much better and just intended to rest and enjoy her three kitty friends. She referred to them as her "velcro kitties" because they were so glad to see her they were sticking very close.
    I want to mention what a neat experience it is to be working with our new editor, Linda Bishop, on the West Danville History book. Linda is very professional and exceptionally good at what she does, and we are very fortunate to have found her. I am truly excited about our book.  It is shaping up quickly under Linda's guidance, and we are all feeling inspired. We hope that by this time next year, we'll be  celebrating its publication.