I just learned that Pattie Morrison Welsh passed away in January. I'm so sorry I missed that. Pattie was the daughter of Burt and Eileen Morrison and sister of Cathy Dodge who, with her husband, Tom, are JPA members now living on Channel Drive. Pattie and Cathy grew up spending summers here at the pond and had many friends here. Our deepest sympathy to Pattie's family. Condolences may be sent to Cathy and the family at P. O. Box 222, West Danville, VT 05873.

There is certainly no shortage of interesting people - and light-hearted activities to either participate in or watch others enjoying, that will lift your spirits.

Andy Rudin sent two very interesting videos - take your pick! Both are amazing!

Video 1
Video 2

Kites are such fun, but unless you are in an area that has lots of room, it can be not only dangerous because of utility wires, houses, etc., but terribly frustrating when they het hung up in trees. Around our house, the wind currents are often fickle, so it's hard to tell where to find a steady wind that won't turn into a down draft that will plummet your kite into trouble.

Today is not a kite-flying kind of day. It's wet, gloomy, and chilly. The rain started just before noon and by tonight is likely going to turn to snow. The temperature now, at nearly 4 o'clock, is 42.1 - not much change since morning. We were pleased that the road is not muddy (West Shore Road), but it has severe washboard areas that will shake the dickens out of your car if you don't go slowly. Even going slow, some of the dips are jarring. The rain will help take some of the remaining frost out, but it exacerbates the washboard. Every vehicle that goes through splashes out more water and mud making the holes a little deeper each time.

Cabot has put a lot of material into a muddy spot just below our house, and some along other spots going towards Route 2, but more will be needed after the rain. Danville has done a great job on their end - for the moment it is mud-free with just a hint of potholes. Along the flat just before the farmhouse, those potholes are growing as traffic progresses. That's the way it is on back roads in Vermont during the spring - and lots of other times of the year!

No sign of our turkeys in our yard so far today, but we saw one heading up the driveway at Kate and Jay Chatot's as we went by this morning. We also saw a lone loon in the first pond. Fortunately, so sign of bears in our neighborhood - hopefully nobody has bird feeders or garbage out to entice them here. There isn't much for them to eat yet, so they are hungry!

I just noticed that the rain has changed to snow - blustery, wind-blown clouds of snow! The ground is already turning white quickly!! On the left below, another picture taken about 15 minutes later! It's beautiful, but boy-oh-boy, we don't need it!