Each winter has its own identity. Some winters are just kidding, some blow hot and cold, some just grab you by the throat and challenge your patience and humanity. This winter is the latter, it means business, it arrived with a vengeance and has stayed with a vengeance.

We keep assuring ourselves the worst is over, we keep on being wrong. This winter has us by the throats, it reminds us to be ready, Mother Earth is much stronger than we are, as we are learning. This morning, at sunrise, 9 degrees, I was chilled to the bone.

Of all our animals, only Fate and the sheep seem completely unfazed by winter. It doesn’t seem to affect them at all. The sheep sit out in the sun as they normally do, Fate would happily sleep out with them if we let her.

Gus wants no part of it, Red works right through it. Maria has a cold, and is recovering. We are hoping to see a movie this weekend, and I have to teach my writing workshop, which is moving next week to Bedlam Farm. We have always wanted the farm to be a creative incubas, I’m excited to be moving it here, the class is in its fifth year.

Sunday, we are going to Albany to bring some groceries to a refugee family in need, part of our Refugee Grocery Project. Today I’m going to the Mansion to do some casting for our “Night Of Four Skits.”