We're ok, just been busy. Today was such a pretty day, it was disappointing that it was still kind of cold, but the sun sure was a hit with me. We're nearly through with January - traditionally our coldest month, and that means things should be warming up. But there are no guarantees - this is Vermont, after all.

Did you see the piece on the news tonight about Loki, the new K-9 the Vermont State Police just got? Isn't she just the cutest pup? She's only nine weeks old. She's a Plott Hound and they are noted for having a great nose and thus tracking ability. She needs to go through training, just like any other rookie, and then she'll be ready to serve with the force.

Every now and then an email comes to me that is particularly interesting. The son of a former principal of Cabot High School contacted the Cabot Historical Society this week and his email was forwarded to me. He was looking for the house in Cabot where his parents lived. He was only about 3 years old when they were there, but he remembered things like there was frost on the front door know in the winter. Inside. And a trap door to get into the basement.I was able to help him - and we had a brief exchange of emails.

His email took me back, though. My first two years at Cabot High School, Charles Boright was principal. He was a nice, mild-mannered man and I don't remember much else about him. After that, Roland Wolcott became principal. He was fresh out of the Navy and sharp as a tack. I mean, spit and polish sharp. He always wore a suit, shirt and tie that were immaculate. The crease in his trousers could slice bread. Shoes polished to a mirror shine, he didn't just walk wherever he was going, he had a brisk, I-mean-business stride and we all knew the sharp, rapid click of leather heels on hardwood floors as he approached in the hallways. That alone kept all of us in line. He didn't put up with any nonsense, but he was fair and we all liked and respected him. He was a good teacher. I had him for a civics class and I think junior business. It's hard to remember that long ago. Back then principals were expected to teach as well as administrate. And junior business? That taught us how to balance a checkbook, write a business letter, a little about taxes, merchandising, savings accounts, etc. It was meant to help us manage our money, if and when we had any. It sort of coordinated with the classes in Home Economics we girls took and  Industrial Arts the boys took. Those courses got into managing finances as a homemaker, farmer or whatever life had in store for us after high school, as well as hands-on experience learning skills that would serve us well all our lives whether we went on to school after graduation, went to work or got married.

I was thinking about our class today. There were six of us, four girls and two boys. The two boys went into the Navy, one of the girls went into the Army (WACS), one got married soon after graduation, and two of us went on to school. Only two of us remain today. The years have gone by altogether too quickly, but oh, the memories!