All Good Things Must Come To An End
No, not this web site …
It’s been an unusual October here. The weather’s been more like September – we haven’t had a hard freeze yet.
As I write this in early evening, the sun is shining and the temperature poked its nose up into the 70s.
Never say never but I don’t expect to see 70s again for a few months.
But this is it. A storm is predicted to blow in tonight and predictions are for 12″ snow above 4500 ft. Rain and sleet down here.
It’s been 50s and low 60s for highs the past couple weeks – even those temperatures are warm for this time of year at this latitude (44° or so) and elevation (2500-3000 ft. Not really all that high. Not even in “high-altitude” cooking zone. Foothills, not mountains. Those are 10 miles or so east). I expect the pass to close tomorrow – first heavy snow usually has problems – but it’s a main route (for here. It’s a gravel road) and it’s usually open.
The bugs know what’s coming; out doing chores today, the gnats and other unidentified such creatures are swarming to the point of a choice between additional unexpected, undesired protein or a face mask. Had enough of those.
The stink bugs are making their presence known.
The wind’s already picking up, the clouds are moving in, and the predicted highs for the next week or so are 40s and 50s. I guess the inevitable first freeze is here.
But I got the lawn mowed for the last time this season, got the new shed enclosed, hose lines from the garden and watering hole (for the critters) have been pulled in. Plenty of firewood stacked up and ready.
The greenhouses have been “de-summerized”; not sure they’re winterized but we’ll know in a month or so. The harvest has been beyond expectations. I guess the cantaloupes are finished. Probably the tomatoes as well. Too bad for the late starters, but they had an extended season. Beans, beans, beans. I like beans but who’s going to eat all this butternut squash? Not I.
It’s a little early to turn on the water line anti-freeze heaters. At least my water lines don’t extend a foot inside the house like they did when I lived in Montana – nonetheless …
Am I properly winterized yet? Close … but what’s winter prep without the weather pointing out what one forgot to prep?
Have I mentioned I’m ready for Memorial Day?
Already had our first freeze in the Midwest. Got hoses emptied and in, outdoor faucets drained and covered, seafoam in fuel tanks of various motors, mouse traps set in the garage and basement, new door on implement shed to keep critters out, wood stacked and a big bin of kindling ready for use. Bin of road salt is full. Bin of birdseed is full. Storm doors are all on. I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. Feel prepared but still not ready quite yet for the cold.
SK,
Good work. It is that time of the year for sure. You just reminded me to disconnect the outside hoses and thank you. Weather forecast here show it may not freeze for at least another week. We have had good rain and the garden will produce more chilis than we can eat for a while. I will freeze a bunch of those. Hoping to get a few last tomatoes.
I have one leaking window project to dig into prior to winter. Scaffolding will start assembly later today.