I'm new to this and it was a windy weekend at the lake.  But the view is pretty neat and I'll get better with practice.  The dark circle type shape you see in the ice is the last hole that the geese were able to keep open, so it's the newest ice.  Some blog posts below had a video of the geese landing there.  Hope you like this view.

No open areas on the ice yet but the snow has mostly melted away.  Water is going over the spillway, so the lake if full.  2-22-14

I just received an email today commenting on how well Gerald has kept the roads cleared from snow this winter.  We've had more snow this winter than usual, that's not news.  But what I'll let you know is how that gets cleared.  Gerald fires up the association tractor and uses the bucket to push the snow.  Not the most efficient tool to use.  Takes a lot of time and gas to do it with the tractor.  On top of that, the tractor has no heat so Gerald freezes and Malinda makes him come in from time to time to defrost.  I was down at the lake last Sunday and the rear right tire of the tractor (the big wheel!!) had a hole in it.  The service truck was going to come out on Monday and mount the tire to the rim and put it back on the tractor.  That equals one large service call charge.  Wouldn't it be nice if the association had an older truck with a plow on the front of it?  Anyone willing to take on that project?  Just a thought.....

Have you "liked" the St. Patrick, Missouri page on Facebook yet?  Look it up and you'll find information about the Road Bowling event, etc.  This year the events will be on Sunday, March 16th.  Hopefully this lets many of the lake's residents enjoy the hospitality of the town and the Shrine.  The dinners are always excellent and the people are friendly.  Events for the Shrine's celebration are listed here.

http://saintpatrickshrine.com/news-and-events/2013/02/21/56th-annual-shrine-of-st.-patrick-st.-patricks-day-festival/

Information for the town's events are here.

https://www.facebook.com/StPatrickMissouri

Only 1 photo was submitted in my very first photo contest for the LOTO website, and it was from my sister, Dona.  She tried to submit a photo of Libby, her dog, jumping off our dock.  I wouldn't let her because I already have that photo in the "around the lake" gallery.  Besides, I'm the one to took the photo.  So she sent this one in.  I believe it's of the camp they set up on the dock during the 4th of July week.

Fair is fair and she wins the 3 pack of seasonings.  As they say, 99% of being successful is just showing up on time.  Thanks Dona.