It's the time of year when intense storms angle up through the Great Lakes states: the wind blows hard and sucks up moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, the western Atlantic, and the lakes and dumps rain in copious amounts. We've had our share this year. A six-inch rain, the re-energized remnant of Tropical Storm Nicole, on the last day of September and a two-inch rain on the last day of November with a lot of wind. Six Mile Creek flooded impressively. This last rain wound up with a couple of inches of snow and a cold spell. We've had our share of gray skies, but I like it when the wind blows hard and the skies open up.
Switching back to half-time work at the turn of the month has freed up some of my energy for cooking and for yard time. More hardwood leaves, more white pine needles, and trimming back the annuals in preparation for winter. It's just gotten cold enough now that I've switched to walking instead of cycling to work. It has been a big year for planting--nearly 100 bulbs, three trees, winter cover crop in the kitchen garden, lots more herbs--lavender, salvia, basil, the usual rosemary, hyssop, sage.
I want every drop of rain and snow that falls on this bit of the earth to stay here, to sink in, and to nourish monster plants.
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