Another Raw Day in Paradise

We're all glad to be living at Joe's Pond, but it really seems like it's time for some really warm weather. The sun has been nice nearly all day, but the air is cold and the wind is ever-present. I tried going outside a couple of times and really, my heart wasn't in being so chilly and constantly having to deal with the wind blowing things around. I surely couldn't rake leaves in that wind, and I just lost interest in doing anything else. I couldn't even find a warm corner to sit in the sun. It seemed as if the wind was coming at me wherever I was.

I had a fairly vocal duck on the pond this afternoon, and I thought I'd sit by the pond to watch and listen, but it wasn't interested in company, and took off as I cautiously approached the chairs; I came back inside and plan to stay here until it warms up.The temperature reading is 48 degrees, but with the wind, It was probably in the low 30s. I didn't check. After a while you just have to accept that it's still April and the weather is not going to be balmy.

Diane Rossi and I enjoyed take-out dinners from Danville Inn last night. We both had the lobster and shrimp casserole, and it was very, very good. We had so much, neither of us could finish the side dishes of scalloped tomatoes and slaw, so I'm looking forward to one or both of those tonight. There was no leftover casserole, though. It was really good.

I had been wanting to talk with Steve (Steve Cobb, owner of the inn) to find out when he was going to be open for lunch. I was disappointed when he told me last night he is not planning to serve lunch this summer. He said he has not been able to get adequate help, so he is sticking to breakfast Wednesday through Sunday, dinners in the evenings by reservation on Thursday and Saturday, and Friday night is take-out night. I guess I'll have to change my approach and have breakfast meetings instead of meeting over lunch with friends.  I don't mind doing that - I actually enjoy going out for breakfast, but I rarely do that. 

Susan and Butch Bouchard are back, and Susan didn't waste any time coming up to get a West Danville history book. I will need to replenish my supply soon because I'm pretty sure there will be others who will be wanting a copy when they arrive back here for the summer. By mid-May, most of the retired folks will be here, and after schools are out and graduations over with, others will arrive. It's always nice to see friends again each spring. Most come back looking great with their deep tans and I'm always envious. I used to work hard to get a tan, but mostly all I did was freckle and burn, so now I don't poke my head outside unless I have sunscreen on, and any color I get is out of a tube and smells like coconut. That makes my dermatologist happy.

I just learned that Route 2 will get some culverts replaced and resurfacing done between Marshfield mile marker .047 to Danville marker 1.755, but work won't actually begin until next spring. The road is pretty rough with lots of patched-up potholes and some that have not been filled. Every year the frost and heavy traffic take a toll. It is a busy highway and probably gets more wear and tear than most, being the most direct east/west corridor our region has, so it will be good to get that work done. Crews will be busy all summer - a project going on in Hardwick at the intersection of Route 14 with Route 15, and of course, there will be road crossings associated with the rail-trail, as well. Lots of activity - making hay while the sun shines. We'll need to allow a little extra time to get wherever we're going in those directions this summer.

Now I'm going to the kitchen and figure out what I'm going to put together to go with my leftovers from last night. Maybe a pork chop. I wish I had some of that casserole left . . . !