Sad News

It is always sad when I have to report that someone close to the Joe[s Pond community has passed away. I recently learned that a long-time Joe's Pond summer resident, Joe Muretta, passed away on October 29th. Many of you have known Joe over the years - the family spent many summers at the pond. More recently, Joe, who was 96, visited for special family gatherings at his daughter, Michelle Parker's, on Otis Drive. My sincere condolences to Michelle and her family. I know she was very close to her father and will miss him terribly. Michelle's address is P. O. Box 42, West Danville, VT 05873, if you wish to send her a message.

November is always a dreary month, but this year it seems to have topped all other Novembers - so far. We have had nothing but rain, snow, and gloom for days, it seems. Even if the sun pops out, it's only for a few  hours. We really can't complain, even though there is a blanket of snow on everything. The temperatures have ranged in the 30s and the ground is not frozen solidly so the snow is melting underneath and tradually replenishing the water table. We don't need a deluge of rain and water running off into streams instead of soaking into the ground where it is needed.

I'm happy to see that my pond is coming back steadily. It is still down by 12-18 inches, but that is better than being nearly dry. As I recall, the water depth at the deepest end of my pond is normally about 10-12 feet - so it was down at least 8 ft. a few weeks ago, with nothing coming in. Now there is a steady stream coming in from the auxiliary pond above in the woods.

I am still rattling around with a walker much of the time. Sometimes I boldly step out with just a cane, but I still have an almost-full-length support cast on my leg. On Monday I will see the orthopedic folks and I expect to be fitted with a less restrictive support apparatus. I am also scheduled for an evaluation with physical therapy on Monday. I have been doing my own "exercises" - kind of testing the limits of my creaky joint, but hopefully I will be able to take that a bit further safely after seeing the PT people. This whole process has taken mch longer than I had expected. Son Bob had a knee replacement a while back, and although I think he had much more initial pain than I had with my ligament tear, he moved through the process of healing and getting movement back quicker than I am experiencing. And for once it isn't because I'm old or that my bones are brittle - I admit to being old, but my bones are fine (thankfully). It's the usual protocol for this type of repair, according to the doctors. It can take months to get full range of motion back. That said, when I was at the orthopedics two weeks ago, they said I might be moving ahead more quickly than normal with my recovery. One can only hope. I have paid attention and done as I've been told - but I'm not a happy camper being slowed down this much for so darned long. Better now than when the weather is nicer - always (sort of) a bright side to this kind of stuff! Thanks to so many of you who have reached out to check on my progress. I'm really fine - and I doubt I'd be much more active in this nasty weather even without the injury. But I would certainly be driving, and that is no possible yet.

I will close with the usual cautionary warning: This month and December is deer and bear hunting season, so when you are outside, even walking on our roads around the pond, wear bright clothing, and if you take your dog out, be sure it is on a leash and wearing a brightly-colored vest, as well. Sometimes in foggy or snowy weather, hunters aren't quite certain of their proximity to trails, roads, buildings, etc., and seeing your movement through the underbrush, you could be mistaken for a deer or bear. Hunter orange is great, other bright colors - bright iridescent red, blue, yellow, or green will show up well - but darker colors and white (especially against the snow) are dangerous.I found this adorable doggie vest online - and look at that over-the-top and down-to-your-knees vest for women! I love that - it looks like it would be not only warm, but what a fashion statement! I wish I'd had one of those when I used to walk all seasons, every day, in the woods or on on West Shore Road!  

So dig out your brightest hat, scarf, jacket, or vest, and enjoy our "winter wonderland" safely!