Hurricane Sandy

One of the problems with maintaining a blog is the time it takes to do it. Not since August have I done any updating, yet the busiest time of the year - Autumn - has come and gone, without the slightest detail of what we have done. Autumn is flying out of here at hurricane speeds (literally) as I write this. We are hunkered down with Hurricane Sandy (tropical storm of epic proportions? nor'easter?) battering about outside. We are lucky to be inland. Our family in Niantic will be dealing with what the news is calling, "flooding of epic proportions" on this October day with a full moon hiding above these raging clouds.

Here at the farm, horses are snug in the barn after a morning braving the winds and light rain, now that the winds are reaching 50+ mph and climbing. At 4 P.M. in our little corner of Connecticut, the storm hasn't technically hit us yet. Highways and bridges have been shut down, towns are evacuated along the coast, and I eagerly wait for updates from my son in New York and my daughter at her fiance's house for news from those locals. The newsman says that a tall ship has sunk off the coast of North Carolina, in seas burdened by waves above 26 feet. Our trucks, trailers and other vehicles were strategically placed last night, to offer some wind resistance to the barn doors, and to remain out of reach of big trees, should one fall. While moving bird houses and feeders from the garden I found, to my surprise, violets growing. It has been an odd season, with irises blooming is September, and now violets for Hallow'e'en. What is becoming of our seasons? Will our winter be mild again, or miserable? Last year at this time we were staring into almost a foot of snow in places. This year, a Monster Storm that is affecting pretty much the entire eastern seaboard has given us pause. It feels good, however, to be as ready as we can be. If worse comes to worse, we will hook up a team and drag away any downed trees, seasoning the wood for next year's fuel.