October

October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came -
The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The Sunshine spread a carpet,
And everything was grand,
Miss Weather led the dancing,
Professor Wind the band.
~George Cooper, "October's Party"

It appears that fall is upon us, or at least closing in quickly behind us. I've been busy getting the farm ready for winter and have compiled a mental list, which I'll write down and share (mostly just so I will keep forgetting stuff). This past weekend I managed to take care of a few things on my to-do list (and as in any good to-do list, completed items are crossed out):

1. Order and stockpile hay.

2. Make sure all the horses have waterproof turnout blankets for the really bad winter days. I ordered Bambi and Fabian's blankets this weekend from Suburban Tack--great used tack at terrific prices (and Tana is super-easy to work with)!

3. Clean out veggie garden and amend soil.

4. Final mowing/trimming property and cleaning out garden areas, around the house, etc. This might be on hold due to the broken belt on the mower. I've gotten most of it done, though--as always, I just wanted more.... *sigh*

5. Remove scaffolding from back of house.

6. Wash and wax car and truck.

7. Wash, scrub out, wax, and tarp horse trailer for winter.

8. Put on new bathroom door, insulate and finish inside wall. Rest of bathroom will be completed over the winter.

9. Weatherproof all windows and doors in house, especially older, north-facing windows.

10. Clean out tack and feed rooms and bring anything inside that will be harmed by freezing as well as wash all laundry, brushes, blankets, buckets, etc.

11. Locate, test, and buy (if neccessary) water tank heaters.

12. Make sure there are clean and useable feeders inside the shelters for when the weather gets really bad.

13. Buy sandbags for and put new deep-tread tires on my pickup.

I'm sure I'll think of a thousand other things, but this is what I've planned and gotten done so far. Of course, as anyone who lives/works/grew up on a farm knows, work is really never truly done when you're living a rural life.

But that's why I like lists. It makes me feel accomplished. Even when complete accomplishment is utterly hopeless.

My glass is half full (of vodka),