A howling Northeaster has descended on the farm, Red and I went out to close up the chicken coop and check on the animals, and ran into one of those wind and snow storms that make you bow to nature and give thanks for a snug house, two good wood stoves and some vegetable pot pies. The barn cats are dozing inside, the dogs are huddled by the fire, so, shortly, will we. I am never so grateful for the good things I have in my life – Maria, work that I love, my photography, my writing, my friends, the animals here – than one of these howlers descends on us, and yes, they are getting bigger and more frequent.

Red, of course, pays no attention to the snow or wind, he just goes to the gate and trawls for work.