So I now understand the term “Winter Mix” with regards to weather. Sleet for a while, snow for a bit, sleet some more on top of that, maybe some more snow. It’s some scary stuff. In a way I have a weird excitement for this storm, and in other ways I’m not so excited. So this winter mix is what has been happening so far, it’s 9:45 pm, cst. Freezing rain for a few hours, and then a beautiful snow with large, lofty flakes. now it’s sleeting again. My walk to the office was a little slippery, I was walking over grass. NWA, stay warm.

This is the ice storm 2010 play-by-play. The freezing rain started about 30 minutes ago. My front steps are already incredibly dangerous to walk on. I read in the local paper about peoples proactiveness this year regarding this storm, whereas last year people were reactive. Good for you Arkansans. Things such as generators, and kerosene heaters are flying off local shelves. As well as things like batteries, fuel and bread. Keep it safe out there, those of you who are not yet home. No whammies, no whammies, no whammies!

I went to the grocery store last night to get a few last minute provisions for this storm that’s coming (or not), just like everyone else in Fayetteville. If you wanted bread last night at 6 o’clock, too bad, you should have come around a few hours earlier. Residents are stocking up on much needed provisions for the big one. I do not blame them, we were all here last year, we know what’s up. Today it it really cold. I’m not sure exactly what the tempreature is, but know this…it’s colder than I’d like it to be. That being said, I should probably go throw another log on the fire.

So, the weather man says that there is going to be another ice storm on thursday.  My teachers at school are echoing the same sentiment, because they watch the news.  A girl on the bus said it’s going to be the worst one ever, that’s what she heard, I don’t know who to believe.  When I heard “ice storm” a few days ago, I must admit panic was the first response, only briefly.  Being off the grid means no power outtages.  Wunderbar!  Remember last year around this time readers, when I was praying in my bedroom to some higher power that no trees fell on my house?  If you don’t, please look at the right hand side and notice the archives.  It will probably be in February, since I didn’t get my power back on until then.  Ice storms are no joke.  This time we feel even more prepared and the house has no trees around it.  So all of you NWA-ers get ready for the chaos.  Buy bread and batteries and hunker down.  If you want to come sit in some lamplight, come over.  Be safe.

Close your eyes and imagine for a moment, breathe and stuff (wink).  The last little bit of sunlight illuminating the grass and surrounding flora.  The sky to the east is a dark grey, looks like rain.  Their stark contrast makes the green outside my window look even more amazing, green times ten.  I imagine Ireland feeling similar.  The evergreens are still around, along with a few stubborn red leaves left clinging to tall branches, not ready to give up.  The beauty that is the cardinal and its drab, grey mate follow each other from perch to perch, a striking contrast.  The grey clouds turn lavender as what’s left of the sun sets.  Okay, open your eyes.  You’re welcome.

So, be glad if you don’t live in the midwest, or high plaines interior.  It was a whopping 29 degrees outside and today it wasn’t much warmer.  It was quite a change from the 65-70 degree weather over the past few weeks.  Surprising?  Somewhat.  But, it seems like I should be okay with it since it’s mid-late November.  It’s fodder for the blog.  Chew on it for a while.  I haven’t had much of a chance to dig into this new venture yet, I’ve been bogged down with papers for school.  I shouldn’t blame school, but it is a time sucker.  It will just make me work harder in the freezing cold this winter to install, install, install!  Any who, let’s create a discussion readers of what your plans are for growing and producing next season.  I’ve heard lots of chatter, lots of talk, I want to hear it again.  Leave some comments so that others who are like minded can get inspired and involved.  Thanks.

The landowners departed to Florida today, tomorrow on to Costa Rica where they will start a new life.  It was quite bittersweet.  Josh Brown, the patriarch was glowing.  The last few weeks he was in a whirlwind, it was nice to see him so happy.  Have a nice time Brown family.

Imagine:  It’s 9 am, you just finished your breakfast and are looking south at a gorgeous vista bathed in fall colors.  Ahhh, how relaxing.  A flock of Canadian geese swoop down over the house into view and splash down into the pond 100 yds. away.  Breathtaking.  They swim around for a minute to give their hearts and wings a rest and as quickly as they came, WHOOSH, they take off south again.  Fair travels. 

I love my house.

This is the month to plant your garlic.  I know October is almost over, but there is still time.  All you have to do is plant cloves of garlic in the ground.  Each clove will turn into a head by the summer.  Fun stuff right!  We all use it, we all love it, we should all plant some today!

California take note: A rain catch system is a way to harvest rain water to use for, well, everything you use water for.  All you need are some gutters on your roof and something to catch and contain the water in like a cistern or barrels.  We are needing to get this done pronto, because this is going to be our source of water.  There is currently a cistern near our house, it just needs to have pipe connecting it to our house and voila!  There will be a pump, that is connected to the solar power, which will pump it into my kitchen faucet and make me the happiest woman in the world.  It helps tremendously if you have a metal roof rather than shingles.  Shingles are made with toxic materials and you probably don’t want to save the water for any consumable reasons, unless maybe for your flowers.  Also, metal roofs collect dew which runs off and every drop counts RIGHT CALIFORNIA!  Look into it readers, there are lots and lots of resources on the interwebs, take advantage of them.