Winter Signs
October 6th, 2006 by Northern FarmerLooks like a cold winter coming, can tell by the signs. I haven’t seen any wooly bear caterpillars yet so can’t tell from that, and I never checked the sizes of the muskrat or beaver houses, so I can’t tell from that. But one sure fire way to tell is when the moose come migrating this far south into farm country from the north woods. We got us a bull moose wandering around here and the nearest confirmed sighting is about three quarter mile away from our place. Guess the ornery bugger tore out some fence and tipped over a cattle feeder at the neighbors place. But with the lack of female moose around here I can see why he’s so ornery, looking for love in all the wrong places! I just hope he don’t go tearing down any electric fences of ours and scattering cattle over kingdom come. I’m not in the mood for any new adventures, especially in the middle of the night. And today there was a moose report on the radio, about thirty five miles south east of here is a small city of around a hundred thousand or so including all the suburbs. The police there had to chase a bull moose out of the Menards parking lot and run it out of town. It appears that them moose are heading to Iowa, ruff winter a coming, so heads up Patti and Sugar Creek Farm. You never know when they’ll appear down there. At least I warned you, eh!
Another sure sign of a rough winter is the size of the woodpiles around here. I got ten cord of white oak split and dried for dads place, but I need to make around eight more cord for me, and by the looks of it all I ain’t going to get around to it soon. And to really remind me that winters coming, on the ten day forecast they got snow for next Wednesday! Around here winter can and does come early sometimes. I just hope it’s some melting flakes, not a full blown thing. But with all the moose running through here on their way to Iowa, it don’t look good. I didn’t check to find out how long the moose hair was but it’s a sure bet it’s probably dragging on the ground with the winter that’s coming. Nothing more fun then fifty seven below zero, makes a person look forward to twenty below. What’s next here, white bears digging in the garbage cans?
So, I’d better start going through my winter gear, last time I seen it all that stuff was behind the seat in the half ton pickup that don’t run since spring. Dig it out, beat out the dust and varmints and ready for another winter. Not much time to waste!
October 6th, 2006 at 11:26 pm
You have no wooly bears because we have them all. I have never seen so much of those in my life. They were all over the wet concrete for the barn. A few have become fossils. We have such boring wildlife here. It is a good thing. Bears and such just wouldn’t be a fun thing here.
LIfe has been so busy here that I haven’t been able to keep up with the blogs but I do think of you often and pray you are experiencing the blessings of Christ. The enemy has made himself known for sure.
October 7th, 2006 at 5:37 am
Christina,
Even when busy I always try to drop over by your blog daily and your families life and trials are always in our thoughts and prayers. As for around here, this past week there have been more changes, rapid changes to the family and farm than anytime in the last forty years. But this morning when I woke up from the alarm clock the first thought was that I made the whole night without having to get up in the middle of the night. What a blessing, to sleep a few hours straight! I tell you, I’m just about ready to cut loose and let er rip around here. Not enough preaching lately. one of these days soon…….
Take care, we do know what your going through!
God Bless!
October 7th, 2006 at 6:39 am
Tom,
For you and your family I pray for a mild winter, many nights of perfect sleep, lots of time to talk and listen to God, and millions of true, loyal friends. Let me know when you receive! God bless you, Tom.
October 7th, 2006 at 7:43 am
May your winter be a quiet peaceful one so you can relax by the fire, read the good book and rest for the coming spring.
October 7th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
First ..MOOSE???? I hear they’re good to eat and I think one would fill the freezer nicely. Second.. Your truck sounds alot like my old 79 F-250 ex cab(cept mine runs all yr). I shudder to think what lives behind the seat !! Third…I’d pay to see you measure the hair length on a full grown bull moose
October 7th, 2006 at 6:04 pm
Time to see if we’ve got what it takes to be real Minnesotans, huh?
Enjoy your Lord’s Day.
October 7th, 2006 at 9:11 pm
John,
Thanks and I will let you know!
God Bless!
Peggy,
Thanks and I hope yours is the same! Blessings!
Patti,
Well, when that critter gets over your way don’t use wax bullets, plug him good and pack it in the freezer, then invite me over for some mooseburger, eh
As far as my old truck goes, it runs perfect, just don’t start. And some places I go don’t have a steep enough hill to clutch start it, so I guess I’ll have to get a new ring gear one of these days. No rush though, why worry I always say! Blessings!
Gwen,
Yup, Maybe Patti could make you a moosehide coat when she nails that critter heading her way, of coarse it might be heading through the Twin Cities on the way to Iowa, in that case you can kick, I mean send Mark out to bag that thing as he’s passing by. I hear them coats are pretty warm. Make good booties too
God Bless Your Growing Family!
October 7th, 2006 at 11:16 pm
Stopping in and checking in on my friend. It is the Lord’s day tomorrow! Woo Hoo. I pray we are all well enough to get there. I need a good old fashioned sermon like never before. Thank you for thinking of us Tom!!! Praying her for you and yours and for victory!!
October 8th, 2006 at 5:50 am
Hope all is well, or will become well soon, for you and your family.
We’ve had frosts here in Vermont the last couple of nights, so we know what’s coming. We got off pretty easy with a mild winter last year, so wondering what’s in store for this coming one…
Always enjoy visiting your blog–may the Lord bless you and yours!
October 8th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
I am not sure we would know what to do with a moose either. I have seen very few wooly worms and they are usually everywhere around here.
We heat totally with wood and hardly started bringing in our winter supply. We have had a couple of mornings in the high 30’s, but I just bundled up.
October 8th, 2006 at 4:30 pm
Christina,
You just stop in here and check all you can, because sometimes I need allot of checking up on. Sure do hope you folks could make it for church, it does a person allot of good. I know I was going through my Wednesday evening stuff for church and I was pleasantly surprised on what I’ll be talking about, mass evangalism, one of my favorite things. And a person can get all the refrences they want from the Book of Acts. Old fashion stuff, does my heart good, and it needs allot of good here as of late.
God Bless You Folks!
Becky,
I see the neighbors are covering their tomatoes this afternoon so I guess it’s supposed to dip down there tonight. I’m leaving ours go, in fact I’ve never covered them yet and even though I’m scraping ice off the truck windows in the mornings the summer plants aren’t affected yet, strange. Last evening I was picken pumpkins and squash, chopping corn stalks, and a few other things, cleaning up in the gardens.
It has cooled down here considerably in the last day, back to reality. I hope all goes well in your neck of the woods this season! God Bless!
Marci,
I haven’t even seen a wooly bear worm yet, but talk about boxelder bugs! The house is covered with them on the south side, haven’t seen that since 88. But maybe this cool weather coming will thin them out a bit. Stay warm this season! God Bless!
October 8th, 2006 at 9:01 pm
Strange thing about moose; we had moose tracks down by our mailbox last week. A year ago a moose took up residence for a few days just down from my clotheslines, and boy, was I ever glad it was too cold to hang clothes! Thankfully the dogs left her alone, and one morning she was gone. We were warned last week that a bull moose has been seen around certain roads in the Turtle Mountains, so to be careful at night when driving. Guess if it means cold weather for you, we must be in the same boat. I better get Jim hopping with putting our wood stove pipe back together after getting that side of the house sheathed and wrapped. Come to think of it, we’d better get that woodpile going as well!
October 8th, 2006 at 11:19 pm
Tom:
We made it!!! Brian was feeling a bit better. It is exciting to see some hopeful signs with his health. The only problem is some of the wee one had the stomach flu. I used some of my down home remedies and got them cured.
Man alive, what is it with these little country church preachers? Ours can deliver some of the most powerful sermons a person could here. I am so glad we made the switch. It was a good day for sure, one where I really felt in the presence of God with friends. It makes me so excited about eternity. Can’t wait to be at the feet of Jesus with all my family and friends. Hope your Lord’s day was good too!!!
October 9th, 2006 at 5:40 am
Lynn,
After writing this thread and all, I was thinking of you folks your way, wondering about moose over there. Well, that answers that! Them Turtle Mountains are a world of their own! An island in the prairie.
Here’s to you all on getting enough wood for another winter your way! God Bless!
Christina,
Yee Haw!!! You made it and I can tell your revved up about it all! One thing about battling the big diseases, when the family members get the flu, it’s almost like a blessing. Something minor that’ll just go away. Barely notice it.
Ah yes! A power sermon in a little rural church! I know from what you’ve told me, the preacher hits point blank, my kind of preacher, not a people pleaser. And just look how a person is blessed because of it! Makes us all excited about eternity, and to a Blood bought believer eternity is already here! Christina, you all really make my day! Thank You and God Bless You All! What a good way to start a Monday morning!!
October 10th, 2006 at 5:34 am
57 below??????? Below what?????? Lets see, thats the average december temperature around here :).
I was up in the north country this weekend. Saw my 92 y/o grandpa. He’s still getting around OK and lives by himself. He can’t here to well though, and I’m getting so I can’t either so alot of “ehhh?” ’s being tossed around. I heard they were predicting snow for wednesday night, so I high tailed it back here to Bama. As fast as the ol truck was moving, I think it was more scared of the stuff than I was.
Moose huh?? A bull moose showed up on my father in law’s farm one year and I think was trying to get friendly with the holsteins. I think he ended up leaving because of their lack of interest. As I remember it, that winter was pretty cold too. No moose here, but there is a fairly big rat thats been in my sunflower seeds I’m not looking forward to tangling with???
Ahhh such is life in the south………
Have a GREAT day,
Brad
October 10th, 2006 at 5:36 am
durn……. 57 is the average temp, not 57 below…. Where’s the edit button on this thing????
October 10th, 2006 at 8:04 pm
Could you run out and shut the gate before the snow gets there? That should stop it from going farther south eh?
October 10th, 2006 at 8:31 pm
Brad,
If I had half a brain I’d be heading down to Bama quick. But no such luck. Looks like a couple ugly days doing chores all over the place around here. I’m starting to get itchy to get all them cattle home where they’re under stricter control and under a watchful eye. No moose for the last few days, must be near Iowa now by the way I figure it.
About the edit button, you’re really asking the wrong guy on that one, I just know there’s a submit button down below here. Works for me. Of course this is a pretty picky blog when it comes to grammar. Ain’t going to take any of that unproper talkin around this dern blug
Patti,
They’re a talkin that the wind is supposed to hit later this evening around here. You’d better slam that border gate being your closer, I’ll try to stop it at I-94. Second thought, I’ll just dig in deep into the heavy winter blankets tonight and let er howl. I hope your far enough south to avoid all this pleasure. Take care down there
October 11th, 2006 at 5:41 am
I’ve been getting those goats closer to the house too. Not only for stricter control, but you wouldn’t believe how bad those “good ol’ boys ” eyes are during deer season….. I try to keep them next to the barn until January.
Same old story on the rain here, but the weatherman has said there is some on the way. We’ve had two and half inches in the past month and a half. All within two days. I fertilized yesterday and am hoping the rain is a coming. The wife wants me to do something with the yard, I suggested a grass fire, but she didn’t laugh…..
Tonight, my grand plans are to watch the rain come down. If it don’t, maybe I’ll light up the yard and have a weenie roast…..
Have a good one,
Brad
October 11th, 2006 at 5:56 am
Brad,
Here too with the deer hunting, although I’m more worried about me picking up some lead than the cattle out there! Some of those hunters shouldn’t be given drivers licences let alone hunting licences. There sure are some dumb ones out there for lack of a better word.
Windier than the dickens out there this morning, going to have to fireup the wood furnace in earnest these next couple of days. I like staying warm!
Have a great day down there in the warm lands!
October 11th, 2006 at 9:02 pm
Here in Montana, we were treated to 5 inches of snow the other day. It didnt seem to deter the beauitful bucks and herd of deer roaming through our place. They will know I’m sure, the day hunting season start
October 13th, 2006 at 5:35 am
Morning Tom,
38 here this morning, so I figure you guys up there must be thinking about putting away your bermuda shorts :). We of course have our parkas on down here.
Starting to wind down here. I’m actually having to think of things to do rather than just go out and do them. Oh sure, I’ve got a tractor and implement maintenance list a mile long, but I’m doing the same as every year and waiting to fix or grease the things 10 minutes before I need em. Lets me get creative with bungee cords and fencing wire that way.
Kidding season is just starting here, and we should have another 30 or so goats on the ground in the next three weeks. Could get pretty exciting. Right now, its wait and see
have a GREAT one!
Brad
October 13th, 2006 at 5:53 am
Morning Brad,
Gonna try and bring home 61 head of cattle tomorrow, that’ll start to take the pressure off if successful. I wonder what it’ll be like when this weather finally breaks, been a tough week.
Wind is howling like mad outside yet, day three and counting. Get in in the evening and almost fall over in the nice warm house. I swear, when this is over with I’m getting that truck heater fixed
Well, I’d better bundle up and head outside now, (egad), in my humble opinion this is a bit to early for a weather system with so much snort. Good luck on the kidding!
Enjoy!
October 13th, 2006 at 10:16 am
Tom,
This weather has been “interesting”. We had around 80 degrees on Saturday, and then howling winds and temperatures in the 20’s and low 30’s on Thursday. The neighbor cut hay in the last few days (before the weather turned bad). It is quite a sight to see snow coming down on his windrows of cut hay.
Jim
October 13th, 2006 at 11:31 am
Hey Jim!
Interesting, yup, that’s the word! Although I wish I could lose my interest in it. Man, this wind takes it out of a person, last night I was gonna post and I sat down at the computer and darn near fell asleep, so that’s was that for that!
Now I know some think I’m nuts, but, I’ve seen in the past when these huge windstorms signal a different long term weather pattern approaching. Maybe this is finally the end of our multi year drought cycle up here, or something like that. Pretty scientific, eh!
We got neighbors with hay down too, and yesterday I was thinking to myself that you don’t see this all too often. But as for me I just want them cows home quick!
Tom
October 15th, 2006 at 4:13 pm
Hi Tom! I’m just checking up on everybody after being offline for a bit. It sounds like you’ve been a busy guy as usual. Battening down the hatches for the wild weather? I can’t tell by the wildlife what it’s going to be like around here yet. The summer birds hightailed it weeks ago and our resident chipmunk is raiding the bird feeders and hiding seed like crazy. We’ve had a few frosts….a big one night before last…..but the daytime highs have been close to 60 and sunny. Windy though. I’m glad the snow that hit NY didn’t head this way. After all our work putting in peppers and tomatoes, we were sorely disappointed to harvest a couple of small baskets of green tomatoes and no peppers whatsoever. Something neatly bit off every single flower or developing fruit. ???? The guineas are terrorizing the neighborhood and creating lots of noise pollution. But our hens have started laying so apparently we did something right. God is gracious! A blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours!
October 16th, 2006 at 1:25 pm
Howdy Tom,
A quick note just to say there is this strange wet substance falling down. All the plants seem to really like it. I’m kind of liking it myself. In fact todays chores are putting on the slicker and washing off the truck. Hasn’t been washed since our last good rain……. In March!!
We had some winds this weekend. Pretty gusty too. I was trying to winnow some of the chaff out of the sunflower seeds that I’m gonna plant next spring. I just couldn’t quite calibrate the wind gust to bucket distance during the poor. Sure made the squirrels and birds happy though.
I’ve got an old squirrel cage fan and some PVC pipe. Looks like a winter project waiting to happen.
Have a GREAT day,
Brad
October 16th, 2006 at 6:00 pm
Emily,
Sounds like your a good observer of the world around you! Yesterday, Sunday, was a beautiful day and the wind finally cut back and it got into the sixties. But it’s all changing fast, I wish I could slow it down so I could get a little bit more done. Our peppers and tomatoes were not the best this year either, weird year, but I’m happy with it all I guess. Gotta dig them spuds yet!
God Bless!
Brad,
We got that wet substance falling out of the air too all day here. You know, that stuff that never comes during growing season. I’d bet them winds were the same ones that passed through here, they sure plunged south, you’ll probably find garbage piled on your fences with my name on it. The direction was about right. But it did blow the leaves out of the yard so the way I figure it the labor saved with that was worth it.
Thanks and God Bless!