I'd say we're finally beginning to see some changes around the pond as far as the ice is concerned. The first two ponds are free of ice except for some of the secluded small bays, and the big pond is getting darker every day. Shelly Walker just wrote that Molly's Pond is ice free, and that usually happens five or six days before Joe's goes out. She also said the cove near Barre Avenue is showing more water. The picture here was taken this morning by Diane, and you can see that there isn't much change at the block. When we stopped at Hastings Store yesterday, Garey was saying that all we need is a good wind to move things along. He's right - if the ice begins to move, that will usually mean the block is going down soon, or if the ice floe moves away from shore far enough, it will stop the clock and end the contest. There are still hundreds of people who had tickets with dates stretching all the way into June, so there will be a winner, for sure. Soon.
    We have temperatures in the 40s today and it didn't freeze last night, so melting is slowed but not stopped. We're expecting rain off and on for the next several days, but no very hot weather.
     We are feeling fortunate that we haven't had a severe mud season so far. I think the frost is mostly out, but there are still the places where there are springs underground that raise havoc with the road when the water table is high - like now. There's the usual spot by Dudley's - right at the top of that little hill. There is a ledge there and it's always bad. Another spot is at the foot of Chatot Road in front of Decker's - another ledge with lots of underground water. The flat by Hamilton's and Michelle Walker's is great - for now. Also, the flat by Mason's isn't  all that bad - for now. Danville's end could use some attention, but none of the spots are terrible like some years. We hardly dare believe we're going to luck out and not have knee-deep mud this spring, but so far so good! 
     We have one or two small spots of snow on our lawn, but it's all mostly gone, and that's so good to see. We noticed yesterday that in St. Johnsbury lawns are turning green and trees are noticeably budding. Not so much here, but we're only a week or so behind, I think. So far our spring signs have been pussy willows and one lone crocus in bloom. There are a few green tips of daffodils and some day lilies beginning to poke through the winter dirt and grime, so it won't be long now! We'll be swatting black flies before we know it.