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Thanks for the ping. Well I asked God in Jesus name for a warmer Oct. without going below freezing and even warmer Nov. but "O ye of little faith," for indeed Oct. stayed above freezing so that we did not pull the crop in until 11-03, and which was only because a couple nights below freezing was forecast (down to 28F), yet in reality that has not actually happened yet and will not until at least mid-month, praise God. So I kind of kick myself because I could have at least left the squash in maybe 3 weeks longer for it can take a light frost . What a contrast to last year and those before.

The focus below is on Boston but tells a larger story:

Boston didn’t dip below 50 degrees until October 18th this year, 5 days later than the prior record in 2018. We also tied a record for the longest stretch of days with a min of 50 or higher, 141 days (From May 29 to October 18). As of this writing, Boston still hasn’t dropped below 40 degrees, which places 4th latest on record (November 7th, 2017 & 1971 being the latest).

And it isn’t just Boston…the first frost has lagged behind by several weeks for just about all of New England. Concord, New Hampshire didn’t drop to 32 degrees until October 24th, about a month later than average! And way up in Caribou, Maine it took until October 25th to finally hit 32 degrees, well over a month later than average.

https://boston.cbslocal.com/2021/11/02/boston-2021-growing-season-over-frost-cold-temperatures-nights-massachusetts/

I am for this Climate Change here!

I got an early morning text (as I was pouring my very first cup of coffee) with good news ... we’ll be “processing” again this week. That 22 lb frozen turkey is really messing up the room in the freezer - a bit too early to start thawing - major rearranging is going to have to happen. It’s a gorgeous fall day here, so those in the woods early are getting a real treat.

Tomorrow is “leaf” day. I have a firm commitment from the bro & his mower/bagger to get up the leaves & fill up the compost bin. Since I am hobbling around with this stinkin’ sciatica issue, I definitely need the help! He was also researching alternatives for me and my mower(s).

Mini-rant: I love my JD mower(s); however, WHY do they always have to make things so complicated and expensive? A “bagger” for my mower was about $3K last time I looked into it, has to be installed by the dealer AND is not something you can take off when you don’t need it. It makes the mower so wide, it would not fit in the pole barn, nor could I mow around almost all the bushes/landscaping - dad spaced all that he’s planted for a 48” deck & without the bagger attachment, the deck is 60” which is also problematic. JD claims you need this “power” attachment to shoot the leaves/grass back into the ‘bins’. Most mowers just attach a plastic chute & it works fine.

Anyway, we are NOT spending any more money for “baggers” plus my brother saw some ideas that likely would work with his mower (less than $100) & at least one of mine - we still have the 48” deck tractor-style mower in addition to the 60” zero turn so I can use either for leaves.

Yesterday, I woke up with no “brain fog” after my week of whatever bug it was that I came down with the Friday before. It was also the first day I did not experience the crushing fatigue that had me taking naps every day & going to bed at 7:30 every night. I feel like myself again. I have exercises for the sciatica that work, I just have to start doing them regularly a couple of times a day .... with the ‘bug’ going on last week, I just didn’t do them and I’m paying the price for it. This too shall pass :-)

Company coming today, so I have some work to do in the house - we had “surprise” company Thursday which really messed up the day, but that scenario had the bonus of forcing vacuuming, dusting, & bathroom cleaning so I do not have to do it today, just some “touchup” stuff.

Have a great weekend!