Bracing for winter weather

The weather man was chatting about the weather when he tried to tell us that perhaps we might see some white stuff in the air. I didn’t think he had nerve enough to mention white stuff by name because of all the boos he would get even though he couldn’t hear us. He knows we don’t want to hear it -- at least some of us don’t -- but I’m sure those who can’t wait for it cheered. We just had our beautiful season, which we will hold in our minds and thoughts for the next several months. Besides, we all really like the snow when the holiday seasons arrive and most of us don’t really like a green Christmas.

We spent the last warm sunny days, which were a gift in October, getting those last things completed. The “north-forty” got cleaned up, but it hasn’t been roto-tilled under yet, but you don’t need warm weather to do it, just no snow. We can honestly say that we could have a good yield in spite of all the rain and real hot weather. The zucchini was the last to go because we wanted to get a supply for late fall baking. At our house there isn’t much to be said about the numerous frozen zucchini for the winter meals, as the bread and dishes of many varieties seem to disappear when we take them out of the oven, stove top or microwave. Three plants of that vegetable is one too many but somehow each year we never learn. And it has such a variety of recipes.

The rakes, hoes, clippers and shovels have been oiled and wrapped up for the sea- son’s sleep and even though I haven’t put on the electric blanket yet, the days are slipping away for that to be done.

Winter boots and jackets are in the ready for the morning when they will have to be worn so that we won’t have to go scurrying in the closet. I hope families with school children have got them ready so there isn’t all of that scrambling and hollering because “we will be late for school.” School bus drivers are understanding but don’t like to wait too long for the children to get on.

Now that Halloween is behind us, the stores will start pushing Thanksgiving and the holidays. It’s time to think about shopping for that day so you can avoid the rush and crowds of later shoppers. However, perhaps that has become easier. The stores complain that many people are shopping by computer. I’ve noticed that the televisions are pushing children’s toys later in the evening after the children have gone to bed or sometimes a little earlier so the kids can watch the commercial and tell you that is what they want Santa to bring, or what they will find under the tree if Santa isn’t in the vocabulary any longer. I do hope there are still ones who believe in the old gent. With so much that kids know today that they learn on their own computer it probably is only the toddlers who believe.

I want to hope that isn’t the case because everything in life today seems to be open nowadays.