Fall Leaves

It's fall in North Dakota

and it appears that all roads lead to

WINTER

 

Days are getting shorter
Nights are getting cooler

The first frost has come for a short visit
And winter is coming for a long one

The big question around here is

"Are you ready?"

No, I'm not ready thank you very much!

 

 

I have a long mental list of things I need to do before freezing temps,

which is maybe a month away...

 

 

Better Homes and Gardens

has published a fall checklist

for winterizing homes

including cleaning the furnace, filters, gutters, fireplace and windows;

caulking every nook, cranny, and crack;

installing storm windows;

and insulating everything

(coming short of turning the house into a pink insulated igloo).

 

 

 

In the words of another southerner,

"the folks around here just hunker down in the winter"

(or go to Arizona).

After one northern winter (labeled mild by the locals),

I understand a little better how I need to prepare

and my list is a little,
no, a lot different than BHG's list.

 

 

 My list is:

Clean the flower beds - check

Apply stain to the new back porch - check

Paint the new front porch - working on it

Make a place in the garage for my truck

Talk hubby into letting me keep my fantastic ferns

(I suggested a greenhouse in the basement -

 I know you can do it because I've seen it on Cops -

but the weren't growing house plants)

Buy some of that stuff that melts snow from the drive

Gather everything to stitch up several sewing projects - check

Get out the watercolors

Stock up on cooking and cleaning supplies - check

Put away short sleeves, short pants, and sandals

Unpack gloves, scarves, hats, sweaters, thermals, and coats
Antidepressants???
Vitamin D???
Daylight Light Bulbs???

Take a trip to Texas
and

Shop for new boots!

There!

Having made my list,

I feel much more prepared!

I think I hear Old Man Winter whispering through the leaves,
 

"Ready or Not - Here I Come!"

...guess I'll just hunker down!

 

 

You have established all the boundaries of the earth;
You have made summer and winter

(Psalm 74:17)