farmette life 6

What way does the wind come? What way does he go?

He rides over the water, and over the snow,

...

But how he will come, and whither he goes,

There never a scholar in England knows.

(Dorothy Wordsworth)

Dorothy Wordsworth -- now there's someone who had a tough like, particularly as measured by 21st century standards (she died in 1855, senile, disabled, not recognized for her talents, but by many accounts a happy woman, living in the home of her famous brother and his family). Our standards, of course, include access to technologies that allow us to give better answers to questions about the wind. 

We know with a fair degree of certainty, for example, that this Thursday, the winds will usher in a record breaking cold. (13F, which is -10.5C. Really!) And where will Ed's sailboat be then? What winds will buffet the hulls of their small craft? I'm back with Ms Wordsworth on that one -- I do not know.

I suppose I should consider this day to be a gentle one. It looks like it may be the warmest of the month (topping us off at 45F, or 7C). When I go out to feed the cats, I'm struck how pretty it still is outside. 

Somehow that bold last rush of autumnal color passed me by this year. We lost it to the winds, the snow, the ridiculously early onset of winter. 

 

 

 

I notice that the kittens, along with Mama Stop Sign, spent the night on the porch. And they are coming out of their hiding spots now, to explore and to do the kitty thing...

Their boisterous play is at once charming and unnerving.

 

We thought we'd be okay with having cats out on the porch for the winter, but watching them now, I'm not so sure. There are the usual kittie grossities (I wont detail them -- you might be having your meal!) And today -- the screen climbing. 

 

 

 

 

 

I go on line and purchase a scratching pole for them. Ed would have built one himself, but, he's rolling with the waves and so I go with the next best thing -- Amazon.

 

Breakfast.

 

 

In the middle of the day, I have an appointment that takes me right by the Arboretum. I give myself a lecture: if this day is too cold for a walk, then I am done for. A real exercise loser. 

I get out of the car and go for a brisk walk. And it's really lovely!

You can still find autumnal color. Not too late!

I do a quick loop through the forest...

... and come out to splendid sunshine. Fleeting, but still, there in time to make the carpet of leaves glitter!

Well now, I feel I said a proper farewell to Fall.

Snowdrop is still under the weather. Her mother is staying home with her. I pick up Sparrow after school and bring him to the farmhouse.

 

(He loves cats. He tries very hard to join the ones on the porch.)

When it's time to take him home, I realize that he and I have to hustle the cheepers first into the coop. It will be too late if I wait until I come back. They'll have climbed the barn walls by then and I wont be able to reach them. 

It's not easy balancing him while filling the feeders and closing up the bunch of girls plus Happy, but we manage!

And as I drop the little guy at home, I see that his big sister is recovering nicely!

Evening at the farmette. Animals fed and accounted for. All but Dance, who's out chasing a wee mouse around the picnic table. 

Sleep well, children, animals, sailors out there. Sleep well and wake up to a splendid new set of adventures tomorrow!