Hi Folks,

I'm in my 60's so have seen my share of winters, including ten of them spent in Oswego, NY, lake effect snow, thunder and lightning during snow storms, etc.

I'm concerned about this one coming up, historically, I have had a "we'll deal with it when it gets here attitude." I get snow removal gear ready, lay in stuff, and am ready for routine run of the mill nonsense.

This year is very weird weather wise, coupled with earthquakes and hurricanes on the east coast. Over the past week or so I've noticed some very strange things going on.

1. Started one of the little tractors after it had sat for 4 days, there was a puff of pink and insulation and baby mice were all over the barn floor. Field mice don't move in untiil late October normally.

2. When I went in the house and commented on the mice to my wife, she replied that the black capped chicadees (whatever they are) were back 6 weeks early this year.

3. Just dug potatoes and got a very good harvest considering the weather we've had. Anyway, couldn't believe the number of toads I dug up, and they were deep?

4. Wolf spiders are all over with egg sacks attached, again that's about a month early.

5. The skinks which we enjoy watching play around the porch have disappeared.

6. Tomato harvest (San Marzano) has been over for a couple of weeks and that usually goes into October unless we get a frost.

By posting this and doing more than usual to get ready I'm doing everything I can to assure a mild winter...:-)

How's it look where you live?

Ev