14 February 2016

Woke up to – 17° on ye olde weather station readout… which the small propane stove in Kate’s living room wasn’t able to keep up with, as the indoor temp was down to 59°.  Bundled up appropriately, left at 7 for Calais via a stop in Burlington to pick up Alverta.  Was – 15° at the cabin when we arrived… but toasty warm inside courtesy of my brother’s Hearthstone wood stove.  Shortly before 10 Steve married Mary Richards, his longtime girlfriend.  The short, sweet, and very informal ceremony was performed by Eva Morse, family friend, justice of the peace, and (before retirement a few years ago) the forever Calais Town Clerk.  After the wedding, Steve and Mary treated the family to brunch at J. Morgan’s Restaurant in Montpelier.  Mr. Pig is here to tell you that eating anything again anytime in the near future is just not going to happen.  Rolled Alverta out of the truck at The Residence mid-afternoon, then went to Lowe’s and The Lighting House to spend more money on things electrical.  Got back to Fern Lake at 4:30 and spent a delightful hour visiting with Marty & Merry while Kate’s house was warming, up thanks to the oil burning forced-air furnace.