I have lived in Wisconsin for 28 years. Many people automatically assume we have frigid temperatures and deep blankets of snow every winter.
Not so! In fact, I can only recall one memorable winter since moving here in 1982. I don't remember just which year it was, but I do remember that the streets of our small town were mere tunnels with snow well above the roofs of our cars. I remember that the boys at one house on Church Street had taken to skiing off their roof into the drifts. I imagine now that their mother couldn't have appreciated their bravery very much. At the time, I thought it sounded like an adventuresome thing to do.
We have just experienced
our first blizzard in years. We already had 4 inches of snow on the ground and another 16 inches have joined it, with more in the forecast for tomorrow. The high winds that came at the end of the snow made for white-out conditions. It's all been
followed by temperatures dipping as low as -29 degrees. We are so thankful that our pipes have not frozen!
Our road out to Dad and Mom's house was well drifted in. We have been partially plowed out now, so we can get out in case of an emergency. After the next storm passes, we'll get it properly cleared.
With no ability to work outside other than to split wood, our thoughts are turning to plans for our little homestead.
We've been looking at heirloom seeds for our garden beds. We also need to seriously consider which breeds of chickens we want, how many and from which place we should order them.
Dairy goats, too, are on our minds. A friend in Texas may have some available to us, but the drive will make the purchase financially difficult.
What plans are you making as winter has set in?
