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FARM UPDATE: Winter is icummen in; Skiddeth bus and sloppeth us

Thank you, Ezra Pound, for giving rhythm to my thoughts today. WINTER! That strange and wonderful fourth season is truly upon us…forsaken by many who flee to more southern terrain, and loved by the few, the proud…The New England-ers!

Sunday brought a light dusting of confectioner’s sugar to the ground, and today brought an entire sack of Domino sugar dumped from the sky smack dab onto Tamworth. Add some pleasant knock-you-off-your-feet wind gusts, swirl aggressively into a vortex, and you’ve got yourself a homemade FIRST SNOWSTORM OF THE SEASON!!!

“ARE YOU READY FOR WINTER, ROBIN?!“: Everyone’s favorite question to ask for the past few weeks, accompanied by a sideways smirk and wink. Honestly, I’d rather go streaking down Main Street than openly admit to fellow Tamworth-ians that I’m only semi-prepared (physically and mentally) and 100% ulcer-inducing nervous. So there, I just admitted it. Onward and upward!

A few “tricks of the trade” I have learned so far…

1. STOP MAKING CONCESSIONS TO FASHION.

My previous winter getup involved a tailored peacoat and various vintage frills. THIS IS NO LONGER AN OPTION, as I will be frigid, wet, and rather haggard-looking after being exposed outside for more than 5 minutes.

2. MAKE ALL CONCESSIONS TO GORE-TEX & MICRO-FLEECE.

My revised winter getup of waterproof, windproof, reflective, moisture-wicking, technically engineered everything…proved to be very functional today while shoveling for over 3 hours.

3. DO NOT BE SCARED. THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.

Eh? How about it?

4. ALLOW 20-30 MINUTES FOR YOUR CAR TO “WARM UP.”

Turn on engine, turn on defrosters, brush off snow, scrape windshields, turn on heat. Run inside and drink tea for 15 minutes. Run back out to the car, switch into 4 Wheel Drive “Hi”, proceed slowly.