Long Fall into Winter

The “hottest summer ever in the northland”

gave way to a gloriously prolonged autumn –

also one of the warmest on record.

This fall was quite a contrast to last year,

when the first snow fell on Oct 17 – and the white stuff kept coming a few more times,

making for the second snowiest Oct on record.

(We love our records!)

And it was the polar opposite of the Halloween blizzard of 30 years ago that dropped more than 3 feet of snow on Duluth which the wind whipped into impassible drifts.

We had to climb out the window of our house in order to shovel the doors free for an exit.

As expected, colors were not as spectacular as in previous years because of the drought,

but were gorgeous nevertheless.

The herd took advantage of the prolonged autumn to enjoy their outings

then head back to the barn to sneak a treat.

Barb’s photo of a thieving Nine was selected for the Widdes 2022 calendar.

We're grateful for an abundant season from Northern Harvest Farm.

Tomatoes are now sauced and put away for the winter, 

and the few apples that deer and blue jays left are dried and bagged.

Fall was fairly social for us fully vaccinated folks, compared with the previous pandemic year.  We enjoyed a visit from Barb’s brother Dave (up from Baton Rouge)

who took a cane pole out to the front pond and supplied us with some nice meals,

and the annual visit from Steve's siblings and their spouses,

and a delightful day at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum

to celebrate Janet's birthday

(a friendship lasting over 70 years!) 

and get-togethers with friends and neighbors.

Foliage seemed to hang around forever

encouraged by the warm temperatures and a little rain,

including the asparagus tree in front

that sparkles in the dew and morning sunlight

and Barb's luxuriant flower boxes -- 

until they were zapped when freezing nights finally arrived in late Oct.

According to the Farmers' Almanac, we're in for a harsh winter.

Most of the usual suspects are still hanging around,

but the Franklin's ground squirrels are already snoozing away below deck and the Pepé Le Pew family continues to dig winter burrows all over the lawn.

Asian lady beetles sneak into the house and congregate in ceiling corners and dish cabinets.

Usually by now mice have entered the basement in search of a meal and warm bed, but none so far this year.  Apparently word is out that the area is patrolled by

a lean, mean, mouse-eating machine.

We're preparing for winter, too -- with a final lawn-mowing,

the season's propane pre-purchased,

yucky fly strips taken down in the barn,

and heated water buckets cleaned and ready to be plugged in.

Anticipating the Christmas rush

Barb has been crafting batch after batch of gorgeous new soaps

which are available from her website.

Kuiper zipped down to Poplar Hill Farm for a rendezvous with a handsome buck

while Nine entertained the mellow Fiddle, visiting from Crystal Water Farm

(his curlicue scurs resemble a party hat).

We hope the ladies spend the winter incubating cute babies for spring delivery.

Tzest so far has shown no interest in becoming a mom.

Dustin’s autumn routine involves catching the morning rays in his window bed, 

and then moving to a cozy bed near a heating vent

where, inspired by Captain Kirk, he dreams of becoming

the oldest feline to travel into space, or -- even better --

the Zamboni driver for UMD Bulldog hockey games.

This year for his favorite holiday

he can’t decide which costume to wear.

He joins the Weird Sisters and us in wishing everyone