Sweet & Sorrow

As I begin writing this, it's a beautiful day with bright sunshine, blue sky, trees heavily laden with fresh snow - a perfect Winter Wonderland. 

I was nearly out of milk and coffee cream, and wanted to get out of the house this morning. I debated whether I would go to Cabot Village or Danville, but finally decided on Danville, even though that is quite a bit further for me. I like skim milk and sometimes Cabot doesn't have it. Besides that, I wanted to check on activity on the pond.

I found there was plenty going on. At the State Fishing Access, the parking lot was crowded and a couple of fishermen were launching their fishing shanty at the boat launch - I didn't talk with them, but I'm sure after all this below-zero weather, there is enough ice to hold a freight train. Well, maybe not quite that much, but I'm sure it's pretty thick.

I took pictures here at the house early this morning and again, when traveling down West Shore Road. The one on the left was around 9 o'clock when the sun hadn't made it through the frosty haze on the Route 15 side of the pond. The sky was dark and threatening, but within minutes, it had cleared. I took the photo on the right at the same time, but looking towards Route 2 where the sky yas nearly clear and there were lovely snow shadows on a fresh blanket of snow.

I later took this picture as I drove down West Shore Road towards Route 2. It was just before the dip where Meadow Lane comes onto W. Shore Road by the brook. 

There were other great shots along the way to Danville, but driving on the main highway, I didn't want to mess with taking pictures. As I sit here at my computer, I see that the day is fading already. It is warming up - up to 26 degrees now, and we will be getting some snow later today. Then a messy mix of snow, rain, freezing rain, and who knows what else. But then we are promised some 30s this weekend! Our January thaw is on the way!

I am sad to report some losses in our Joe's Pond Community. I'm sure many of you remember Steve Quatrini - he and his wife, Susan, had a cottage here at Joe's Pond a few years ago. They were in the real estate business for many years in St. Johnsbury and loved their camp on Barre Avenue. Some of you probably dealt with them buying or selling property. Steve died on December30, in Naples, Florida.My thoughts are with Susan and her family. These are sad days for them, I'm sure.

Another loss to our community in December was Dan Thurston, brother of Ernie Thurston (Pt. Comfort Rd). Danny lived down the street from us when we were in St. Johnsbury years ago. He was such a nice man. He taught at St. Johnsbury Academy. I seldom saw him in later years, but whenever I bumped into him, he was always happy and jovial. My sincere condolences to Ernie and the others in their family. If you wish to send Ernie a message, his address is: 12 Shetland Circle, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.

I was also saddened to see that a young man who grew up and was friends with my boys when we lived in St. Johnsbury, Jay Whitcomb, passed away on December 31. Jay worked as a fireman with the St. Johnsbury Fire Department. He was only 68. I remember him mostly when he was in grade school and was in my Cub Scout den. I remember being on Main Street a few years ago and as I passed the fire station, Jay hailed me, just to say "hello". I hadn't seen him in years, and would not have recognized him. But he was that kind of generous soul - he reached out and I was delighted to see him again. 

My thoughts keep returning to those families who have lost loved ones. I hope they find comfort in remembering the good times and will cherish those memories.