We are edging towards normal, the farm is still a bit paralyzed from the big blizzard on Monday but we are getting operational again. The animals can’t go much of anywhere yet, and neither can we, but every day we dig a little more and we have paths now almost to everywhere.

The animals are  bewildered more than anything, they are pretty much confined to the Pole Barn and are edgy and restless. I told them this morning it could be a lot worse, lots of animals perish in fires and drought and storms like this one. State officials say countless deer and other wild animals will starve to death this week.

The roads are good, the farm is functioning, the power is on.

Soon, the big melt and lots of mud. The Ed Gulley Bridge will be under water again as this mess melts. I recommend Ed and Carol Gulley’s new video, about the art he is making. It was posted on his blog, The Bejosh Farm Journal,  this morning.

I was excited about the new wind chime he has made, so excited I bought it on the spot. It is composed of a dozen different elements from his farm and family and makes a particular kind of noise.  It is full of feeling and authenticity, it is quite unique.

I think it is the most interesting one Ed has made yet.  I could hear the excitement in his voice.

I think it will hand on the back porch. It would have been wild to have it in the Blizzard of 2017.

I am sore and tired of digging and shoveling (and weary of people telling me to take it easy. I am sure they mean well, but it is my job to take care of myself and I am quite conscientious about it. Besides, that advice only makes me dig harder.) Today, a day of writing and working on my book.

This afternoon,  a busy schedule. I will go see my friend Scott Carrino in the Pompanuck bakery, he is threatening to teach me how to make pizza dough. We might sit in the Sugar House.

I will go see Ed Gulley and purchase his latest, and I think, most meaningful, wind chime. I will go the Mansion and return Connie’s 11-year-old computer – I took it to a computer specialist who just shook his head sadly – and give her the sad news that it is beyond repair.

Sometimes we can and should help, sometimes we can’t and shouldn’t. Boundaries.

I will leave a stuffed baby goat for Herman, who will hopefully return from the hospital soon.

The new van might also be there, I’d like to take a photo of that and show you what you have done.