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.

We moved in over the last few days, into the new digs that is.  I believe this to be day 4.  AWESOME!  I love my new house.  I love my new house so much that I told it so last night.  “I love you house,” and I gave it a kiss.  I meant it too.  There are some loose ends that are not tied yet and are problems, but solvable ones.  For instance, I have no way to cook in my new house.  I have a camp stove, somewhere.  I also have a dutch oven, I just haven’t been gutsy enough to use it yet.  I guess they aren’t problems so much as, I haven’t figured out the way I am to cook for the family in my new house.  Also, no water.  We have been fetching and filtering water to wash hands, cook, clean, humidify etc.  BUT, I have to drag my dishes to someone else’s house to do them.  This will remedy itself soon, but right now it’s a lot like camping.  We have potty solutions for the number one variety, but nothing so permanent for the number twos.  Still hanging things and moving in boxes and realizing that it’s not all going to fit.  All fun though.  Warm too.

Last night Paul and I walked over to the new digs to check out the new area rugs.  I carried a lantern into the house and Paul flipped the light switch and the light came on.  What a pleasure to sit in a house lighted by solar power.  I was just revelling in the fact that we weren’t paying Ozark Electric.  Amazing.  You should try it some time.

I have had to put the blog on hold this month as I try to sort out the details of my life into 800 sq.ft.  We are still living in an RV, parked right out front.  It’s a good transition, because the 800 sq.ft. will look like a palace.  The new farm is good.  I feel happy and motivated.  I lumber along in s-curve patterns all over the grounds which is nice, no squares, until I come to the beds Paul installed.