“The warm snap roused the sleeping trees, prompting buds to swell. Hopefully they would sleep again with the returning cold, and wait patiently until spring.” Our weather took a milder turn this past week, much to the joy of the duck patrol. There were a couple of days when Duncan didn’t even have to bust…

“First, there was a home. Then came a tiny garden, because a home must have growing things. Evergreen trees were next, to shelter the home and garden from the harsh winds. Then there were trees, and shrubs, and more gardens, and ponds. And the chickens for fresh eggs, but then there were slugs, so the…

One of those things people rarely mention about winter is how the snow sounds different when you walk on it at different temperatures. Well above freezing, it squishes, halfway to a puddle splash with each step. At that sweet spot right around freezing, there’s the perfect “scrunch” of packing snow, waiting to become a snowman…

The falling snow gently draped over the landscape like a gossamer quilt. Along with the snowfall came the somnolent calm as the wild things acknowledged the arrival of the true cold and eminent winter. It had been a mild fall thus far, but the chill must come in the north, prompting all to rest and…

Counting your blessings is better than counting sheep. Sometimes things feel so overwhelming. Working to get the new workshop buttoned up before real winter sets in. The unknown with August wrapping up his current job and starting a consulting business. Family members with health issues (very thankful everyone is out of the hospital right now),…

“Up, down, up, down. The temperature swings continued as they headed into November. It wasn’t always pleasant, but it was better than cold and deeper cold. The nippy days made you appreciate when the sun popped out just a bit more, and provided extra motivation to get outside work done while the weather was cooperative.”…

The toughest things are often the most rewarding. The guys are finally getting the roofing and siding on the new outbuilding this weekend. The project has been a major challenge, from delays getting the footing poured to uncooperative weather, to the sheer magnitude of the building size. To accommodate the tractor and overhead door, the…

“The leaves tumbled across the gravel driveway, lifted by the stiff breeze, while the ashen clouds overhead warned of yet another round of chilling autumn rain. They’d had more rain in two weeks than all summer long, enough so that the pond levels were rising again. The weathermen would probably look at the sums and…

“They walked and talked their way through the brisk morning breeze, exploring the area around the pond, the Badlands, and the back hill. Every time they went for a walk, there was something new to discover. The late season apples still clung to the trees, and the maples, walnuts, chestnut, and butternut had put on…

“The morning dawned with a chill in the air and a layer of frost on the south garden. The northern beds escaped damage, as they sat a little higher in the yard, but it was only a matter of time. The light frost sweetened the leeks, kale, and late apples. This growing season was winding…