And a Little More Snow!

We got about an inch more snow last night. I don't often miss measuring the snow every morning, but I missed both Monday and Tuesday this week and when I measured this morning I found there were 7 inches on the deck. Some had blown off, I'm sure - I think we actually may have had as much as 10 or 12 inches, but it's hard to tell. This snow measuring I do is NOT an exact science, and I've made it easier on myself by doing the measuring on my deck - not exactly the prescribed location, but over the years I've occasionally checked by measuring at other locations and both measurements are always very close. This afternoon  we had a little sunshine, and that was very nice. I think tomorrow is going to be pretty nice, and then we're into snow and more cold weather. I hold onto the promise of Punxsutawney Phil forecast which turned out to be for an early spring. We should be so lucky! (I found this detailed explanation of why groundhogs, or "woodchucks" to us Vermonters, got to be the forcasters of spring.) So I'm a couple days late with this, but we may need this prediction to help up through whatever weather is thrown at us in the coming weeks.

If my typing is somewhat garbled today, it's because my eyes are not focusing as they should. I got into a little trouble going too long between shots (for AMD) and had to go to Burlington on Wednesday to get the shots a week early. I usually have the shots about every 8 - 10 weeks, but things got a little out of sync when the computers at University Medical Center were hacked. My sight is getting better today, but it's still not quite back to where it was. I've learned to live in a world where there are no straight lines - but it's more than just disconcerting when words on a page jump around and wave at me. That's why I only posted the article Andy Rudin about Pickleball that Andy Rudin sent, without any comment. For those of you not familiar with Joe's Pond, Pickleball has become very popular here. We have an enthusiastic group of players, and our tennis courts have been adapted for the game, i.e., lined for both tennis and Pickleball. Andy knew some of our Pickleball fans and players would be interested in the history. 

I enjoyed watching and listening to the young poet laureate Amanda Gorham. Cousin Ora sent it along to me, and I thought some of you would appreciate her as much as I do. She is a young version of the late Maya Angelou. 

Every now and then I get an email from someone out of my past who has stumbled onto this blog and reaches out to me. That happened yesterday. I was very pleasantly surprised when Andy Raymond, son of Arthur and Mildred Raymond who used to own 30 Meadow Lane where Steve and Bev Allen are now. Back then it was 199 Meadow Lane - and before the Raymonds built their cottage, it was Wilbur Ewen's hay field. 

This photo was taken when they were building the cottage. It was next to the pine tree grove, where the Montpelier Smith family cottage was. There may have been another cottage further up that shore towards Sandy Beach Road, but I'm not sure. This was in the 1940s, I believe. That is Mildred by the car. 

It was especially nice to hear from Andy, and as soon as my eyesight is a bit better, I'll read all of his very interesting email and respond. I'm sure some of you will remember the Raymond family. Andy left the area and eventually settled on Maui in the Hawaiian Islands. We have another Joe's Ponder, Lynn Hamilton, in Hawii, but I believe she lives on the big island. Andy was a little older than my boys, but we always all looked forward to his visits. It was pretty amazing to me that he reads this blog. Andy, if you're reading this, expect a long email from me very soon!

Take care, everyone - be warm and safe. Spring is coming. Phil said so!