Friday, September 12, 2025
Here in early morning Central Oregon, I’m warding off another drizzly chill by wearing a mid-weight jacket. I lack the motivation to turn on a portable heater in this coolness. It’s a good bet that I won’t enjoy summery days for most of this fall, as that’s sometimes happened. Among other urgencies, I must arrange for an electrician to replace a GFCI that monitors the water temperatures in my horses’ troughs.
There’s little worse than going out to feed horses and discovering their water frozen over. Some years ago, I encountered an ice cover that was too thick to break up with a hammer. I remember trying and failing, feeling frustrated and frightened. I recall enough space above the ice to add some water. Heavy ice will quickly take over fluid water, a worrisome condition. We got through that morning, and I don’t want any repeats.
That’s for starters. There are always many needs in preparing for this season’s weather change. I’ve written about routine challenges ahead to prepare my small property and animals for the winter ahead. This year, I’ll prepare my vehicle extra by getting a set of “Snowflake tires,” designed to navigate the snowy roads without also needing tire chains.
Then, there’s my roof, which is old and calling for repair or replacement. Sigh….
My challenges are familiar to anyone with an aging house, some acreage, and animals, situated in an environment that faces routine and significant seasonal changes. The fall seasons are gorgeous, bringing cooler weather and changing natural colors. While I love this season, it calls for almost-immediate action, and too soon after lazy summers.
Okay, I’ll buckle up and get moving.
— Diana
Diana's Morning Blog 