Because I tend to believe the worst case scenario when I listen to the weather forecasters, I got in a tizzy on Saturday and Sunday. I scurried around and brought all the house plants into the greenhouse. I filled every available container with water in the event of a power failure. I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to secure animal pens, though I have absolutely no carpentry skills. Duct tape and baling twine are my go-to tools of choice.

As is often the case, the predicted 60 mph wind didn’t happen, thankfully. We did get much-needed rain and I was happy to spend three wonderful days at home. Some long-neglected puttering was my only task. Plus, I spent some time gabbing on the phone. I told my family members that in the event of my untimely demise they should shop at my house. Hard to say if I’m proud or ashamed by my prepper personality. I literally have everything a person needs for survival. While cleaning the pantry, I came upon six (count ‘em) gallons of white vinegar. Yikes. Do I ever even use it?

Last Friday, I heard that there was early morning frost at the Ag Hall field. It’s inland as is my big garden. I promptly went there to check on my just beginning to produce second planting of green beans. If tender plants get a good sprinkling of water on the leaves before the sun hits them, they can survive a light frost. I picked a boatload of then, cleaned and cooked them. We’ve been eating them for days. Lucky us!

There is a stand of Russian Olives at the old Nobnocket, Helios and Art Workers Guild property opposite Crane appliance on State Road. In the wind, the silver undertones of their leaves were on full display. It was so pretty, but don’t forget they are incredibly invasive, not to mention thorny and messy as they age.

Late last week I spent some time at the job sites taking apart window boxes and ornamental pots. Sadly, the home owners have left for the season and cannot enjoy the still beautiful displays. I replant some of the perennials into the beds and yank geraniums. I have good luck with cutting them hard and potting them up for the winter. They spend the cold months in an unheated but not freezing room. They get an occasional sip of water, but planted outside the following year they actually thrive.

There is so much happening in the world right now. I confess I’m exhausted and/or depressed about the state of our beloved country under the present administration. Taking funds from healthcare, food stamps and programs that help the less fortunate is bad enough, but the $20 billion bailout to Argentina is beyond belief. DJT calls Javier Milei his “biggest fan.” You may remember him as the guy who gave the chain saw to Elon Musk? His financial policies are similar to Trump’s (gutting the government.)

The really rich part is that now China is buying soybeans from Argentina rather than from U.S. farmers.