Wet Weather for Shamrock!

 Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

We have had some real spring-like weather in the past several days. Temperatures have been in the 50s and 60s and last night we got about one-third of an inch of rain. The combination has made a huge impact on our snow pack. Most of my back lawn is now bare after having about three feet of snow on it last week. The melting process has been relatively gradual until the rain last night. As far as I know, rivers are running high but there is no immediate danger of flooding in our area, but last night the Missisquoi River in the Troy, Vermont area was near flood stage and officials are also watching the Passumpsic River in St. Johnsbury and the Lamoille in Winooski for ice jams or high water problems.

A few moments ago I noticed that the temperature is moving downward pretty steadily from the 40s this morning to mid-30s now. We still have a blanket of fog and some pesky rain showers going on, but it seems this weather system is slowly moving away from us. Apparently we'll be getting some colder weather momentarily and there may be some snow showers later in the day. It's raw and unpleasant out there. I'm happy I don't have to go anywhere or be outside.

Sadly, my friend, Erma Perry passed away last week. I've known Erma for many years. She was originally from St. Johnsbury and I met her when she worked at Lesnick's DeSoto-Plymouth agency one summer when I was a bookkeeper there. She was a student at Lyndon State College then and later went on to marry Gus Perry from Cabot. She taught school in Cabot for many years and was an excellent teacher. Later, we worked together as volunteers at the historical society, and remained friends over the years. Erma was a good friend and I will miss our long phone conversations and her wise observations on local issues.

I have never paid much attention to St. Patrick's Day and always considered my lineage was Scottish on my mother's side and English on my father's. However, apparently the Bolton's were a mixed breed and I likely have Irish ties, as well. In tracing my family history, I've found that the Bolton's came from the Bann Valley area of Northern Ireland. Both Scotland and Ireland were invaded many times over the years, so it's likely there are traces of Norsemen in family lines from many generations back.

Whatever lineage we have, it's fun to celebrate another rite of spring - St. Patrick's Day. On Thursday, March 20, spring officially arrives and it should be smooth sailing from then on to green grass and  warm days! Let's hope the weather here at Joe's Pond reflects that turning point and doesn't dump a heap of cold and snow on us as a parting shot for March! 

So, let's eat, drink and be Irish for a day!