Farm animals sense storms, I’ve seen it a thousand times. The donkeys retreat into the Pole Barn well before the storm comes and the barn cats were eager to get into their cush winter quarters (Maria has three dog beds and various blankets waiting for them.”

Our basement is a fixed 55 degrees, and the barn cats get fed as well as enjoy being dry and warm. Fate and Minnie are getting older, and I imagine the cold and snow are hard on them now, although this is the first day they signaled that they want to come in.

When it’s storming we feed the donkeys in the Pole Barn, the sheep don’t care if it’s snowing or not, they don’t even feel it. This storm is supposed to last for more than two days.

We’re going to try to keep up with it, shoveling every few hours until we go to sleep. I hope my daughter Emma and Robin and Jay get home tonight, they’re trying to leave Seattle for New York City.

Emma can handle herself, but fathers worry.