We’ve had snow and ice, but mostly we’ve missed the big ones. That’s about to change. Even the farmers take this storm – coming all day tomorrow –  seriously. They usually scoff at the hysterics of the weather channels and the newcomers who rush to the supermarkets in a panic when a snowstorm is coming as if they might starve to death.

We are supposed to get eight to 12 inches starting late this morning and running all through tomorrow. This is our new generator’s best shot of the season to be called into action if the projections are believed.

The locals are believers, they are shutting down all the stores in town tomorrow, and my gym, which  I’m finally going to, will also be closed. Maria got a few essentials – wine, saki, mozzarella cheese, and a couple of vegetables, bottled water. We are well stocked.

The snowblower is ready; the generator is itching to go; we will embrace our usual philosophy of keeping up with the storm, which means frequently shoveling so that we aren’t facing giant mounds of snow when the storm ends.

I moved my car closer to the house and driveway to roll downhill, and I will be responsible for cleaning off the cars and blowing snow if it comes to that. Maria is a tough and determined shoveler, and she will go out to the pasture and make sure the animals are fed and okay.

Mike Conklin will come and plow when the storm is over.

Today, Maria had to go to the barn and staple chicken wire across part of the back of the Pole Barn; our bored donkeys and sheep were eating down the wall. We have some woodwork to replace in the Spring; in the meantime, chicken wire will hold them back.

The shovels are out, so are the car brushes, the feeders are in the Pole Barn.

We are as ready as we ever get. I’ll be posting tomorrow and taking photos; if we go quiet for a while, you can assume the electricity went out.

The cable doesn’t always work when that happens, even with a generator.

Tonight, we’re going to watch All Things Bright And Beautiful before going to bed. This is for inspiration.

We’ll go to bed early and wake up shoveling. Stay warm and dry; we will try to do the same. And I will try to be restrained and sensible, as usual. Getting older is about accepting what you can do and what you can’t do.

I love taking pictures in a storm; I’ll be happy.