October Sunday Morning—Winter Prep Time

By Boomer

So—how does one follow up an episode of Danger Bay? An episode that garnered a new all-time record number of hits on this little blog of ours (exceeding the record number of hits of the preceding Friday’s Danger Bay episode)!

I suppose the best way is to start typing, and hope that yields something of interest to our “Gentle Readers.”

It is a rather pleasant 56ºF and partly cloudy morning here in the oldest part of Old Saint Paul, and the weather is expected to deteriorate back to cloudy & rain later today. It’s becoming tiresome.

I am, however, enjoying my “Danger Bay Collectible Mug” of organically & shade-grown, fair trade, French Roast (with a hint of French Vanilla flavored blend) coffee as I work on this post that, so far, at least has no subject.

Today, I will continue making our estate WINTER READY [[shudder]]. October is a month of change, and veteran Minnesotans just know that certain things must be accomplished.

Jack’s to-do list:

• Take the snow blower in for necessary repairs as the auger part doesn’t work. Yes, I KNOW I should have done this in April, but in April I was too busy enjoying the spring, and all thoughts of winter were quickly fading away. It should be noted at this point—if the snow blower IS repaired, we’ll have little snow—if it IS NOT repaired, we’ll have a 36” blizzard in October, as we did in 1991!
• Cut the rest of the grass. Yep, our recent monsoons have caused what passes for grass on our estate to grow about six inches in a mere week. I have cut grass in December—somewhat amusing cutting the grass after the holiday lights were up.
• Remove all freezable non-flammable liquids from our yard-barn, and place them inside. That’s kind of obvious.
• Disconnect the hoses. I don’t have to shut off the outside faucets, they have deeply-recessed petcocks that do not freeze, but if the hoses are not disconnected, the trapped water in the 18” pipe will expand as it freezes and—let’s just say—the repairs are costly.
• Take the lawnmower in for a physical. Again, if I take it in, the grass will continue to grow at an alarming rate—if I don’t—snow will fall at an alarming rate.

There’s more I’m sure, but that’s enough for today.