Here's something nice for your to listen to - Neil Diamond has adapted his signature song, "Sweet Caroline," to the prevailing pandemic. Thanks again to Andy Rudin for sharing.

As far as I know, none of our Joe's Ponders are ill with this virus. That said, our friends and neighbors are all being impacted by this unusual situation. There have been delayed appointments for all sorts of things, restricted visits to hospitals and nursing homes and we're all having to learn new ways to live our lives safely. Travel is being restricted - the Concord Coach bus line announced it will suspend service as of March 28, 2020; and passenger rail service on the Vermonter and the Ethan Allen Express has been suspended indefinitely, effective yesterday, March 26, 2020. Inconvenient as this is for many people, it is a sensible step to take. Everyone should be staying at home or wherever they are, if that is at all possible.

This week I had a nice note from Pat and George Parizo. Their plans to go to Florida had to be cancelled this year. Several weeks ago Pat tripped in their house (in Springfield, Vermont) and  broke her left shoulder. After being in a sling for five weeks, her shoulder was still not healing so she was advised that a shoulder replacement was in order. She had an appointment at Dartmouth Hitchcock, but then that was cancelled due to the Covid 19 pandemic - no elective surgery being done. George said with all of that going on they cancelled their plans for going to Florida, but that they are safe in Springfield where their family is keeping track of them and bringing in groceries and meals on occasion, like for St. Patrick's Day, when they had planned to all be together, but Pat and George decided they'd better stay at home. George is optimistic about coming to Joe's Pond this summer, and we sure hope everything works out ok. Pat - so sorry this happened to you. I know it must be painful. Best wishes to both of you - George take care of your back, too!

My friend, Mary Whitcomb, checked in this morning. She took a ride up the hill from where she lives in Randolph and got this picture of the Whale Tails as the sun came up. 

Closer to home, Gretchen Farnsworth got this photo of a bald eagle near their house on Sandy Beach road this morning. She said he was camera shy, but she got this photo and I'm sure will be watching for other opportunities, too.  Gretchen said she loves seeing wildlife like the eagle, but wishes it would not prey on the loons. Eagles will grab loon, duck or goose chicks
or sometimes even adult birds if given the opportunity. We have plenty of geese and ducks, but the loons are precious and the eagle being here, if he/she stays, will add another danger for them to face.

Fred told me he saw a large flock of geese going over early this morning. Trouble is, they were heading south! Not a good omen! Maybe they know something we don't . . . or maybe their GPS is faulty.