Edging Towards Winter!

We still have snow on the ground left over from yesterday. I think we got around two inches, although I didn't go out to measure it. I've decided to give up measuring for CoCoRaHS until my knee is either fully recovered or at least I'm not depending on a walker or a cane to move around. That is the advantage of working on a volunteer basis - I can take a vacation whenever I need to!

I received this from Gretchen Farnsworth (Sandy Beach Road) this morning: 

 Yesterday a little snow, this morning a little ice in the pond….winter is coming!
Its quiet down here just us and the last of the migrating geese. Our little loon made it thru the summer/fall I’m sure partially due to the lack of boat traffic racing around the islands. Some good from the bad.

Gretchen sent a photo taken this morning when it looked as if we might have a little sunshine. Didn't happen. Thanks for the photo and info on the loon, Gretchen. I haven't had any wildlife at my pond at all this fall. I'm sure any ducks or geese used to stopping here in the past wondered where all the water went. There's been nothing but a puddle there for weeks, and until this week, I couldn't see any water at all from my house, either in the pond or running in from the feeder pond above. Now I can see a small stream running in and finally, the level in the pond is high enough so yesterday I could see it. Still down at least four feet, I think. It will take some time to refill, but with more rain/snow coming this weekend and into next week, it will help. 

I took a few pictures yesterday morning. It's always  exciting to wake up and find snow on the ground. It didn't stick to the paved driveway very long - but it has remained on the ground and trees. It's not quite up to being a Winter Wonderland yet, but that will come. You can just make out the water in my pond - it should increase a bit each day and hopefully will get back to capacity before it freezes over. Or maybe not! I'm surprised Joe's Pond had that skimming of ice - but we have had some pretty consistent cold weather. Last night we had temperatures in the 20s, but today it has been a little above freezing, but not much melting. 

I did "First Thursday" lunch date with middle son, Bob, yesterday. It had been a little while since we'd been able to do that, and it was really fun to get going again. With thoughtful planning, I was able to navigate getting into his truck just fine.It has steps and plenty of room for my stiff leg. We took the scenic route to Littleton and had lunch at "99" - which I always enjoy. For the occasion, I ditched my walker and depended on a cane and Bob! It worked very well. The knee is progressing fine, the process is just taking way too long. I'm pretty sure I could be doing more than the doctors are allowing, but I'm doing as I'm told, not as I want to do. I have my first visit with PT next week, so perhaps from there things will begin to move ahead. PT can be hard work, so I should be careful what I wish for, I guess.

We forgot to take the usual picture by the restaurant sign yesterday. However, we had a great time - went from here to Peacham and then Barnet, around the back side of Harvey Lake where we found they are repaving the road. There was no traffic at all, but we had to wait 10-15 minutes, the only car "waiting in line" with nothing coming through - and finally a work truck came by and then we were allowed to go through. We weren't in any hurry, but it was cold, spitting snow, and the flagman looked like he might have been in his vehicle instead of standing in the cold had it not been for us. He looked like he needed a hot cup of coffee and a hug. We crossed the river below Wells River to Monroe and followed the old route north along the Connecticut River and then took the back road into Littleton. I hadn't been on any of those roads for a long time, and it was fun to see the changes. Good day all around.

We are nearing Veterans' Day - and it's a good time to think about thanking all of our service men and women, past and present, for their service. Military service isn't honored the way it should be, it seems to me - the sacrifices are huge, and the benefits both during and after service are painfully inadequate. Remember to thank them - not just on Veterans' Day, but whenever you can.