The old people (and my neighbours who are not old at all) say that for “For every fog in August, there will be a snowfall in the winter.” Though this saying does not rhyme so I am not sure I trust it.
and
“If a cold August follows a hot July, it foretells a winter hard and dry.” That does rhyme so it is probably true!
Well, we had a cold July and almost every morning this week has been misty and still. So my sister in New Zealand is knitting me a new long extra thick wooly jersey with extra long sleeves to go under my jacket that she will give to me when I go to visit in October.
I found a A bull snake. They are protected on the farm as they eat mice. Our John is always thrilled when he hears that I have found one. I am not quite so thrilled. I grew up on a beach in New Zealand. I am not quite as calm when I see a snake. But I try to be nice. They scare Boo too. He literally runs away when he sees a snake.
It is Gracie’s last week, she leaves on Thursday for Wisconsin where she is going to the university there. Two more full days.
This is my favourite photo for her mother so far. Hi Mum!
Letters for my Little Sister. The book written by The Fellowship is now at the end of its long journey. Or rather the end of its beginning as a book. Today is the day that I make the printing order. So what do you think? I have 68 contributors, many of whom would like two copies, and I know many others of you would like a copy too. This is a ground breaking book written by real women exposing the real truth about menopause. The funny, gorgeous, ugly and wonderful. Just like we are. We have brought all the skeletons out of the closet and the bones have been gnawed on. So I am going to take a big gulp and order 200 books to be printed. As long as everyone who wants one, gets a copy and I have covered my costs then I am happy. Can we sell 200 do you think?
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farmy,
miss c
The Kitchen's Garden 
58 responses to “Misty”
i’m refusing to even think the thought of another long, brutal winter! If I don’t think it, maybe it won’t happen??? 🙂
My theory is the opposite. if i think about it and prepare for it I will not be caught un-awares. Forewarned is forearmed and there were times last winter when the threat was dire, I am not going to be unprepared again that is for sure.. This time I will be ready and if it is not as bad i will be more than happy to be pleasantly surprised! c
What a beautiful, beautiful photo of Grace!
What is the crop that Boo is jumping to see over?
As for snakes—I love our snakes. I move the the rat snakes that I find in my hen house. They would much rather eat a harmless egg than risk getting bitten by a rat or mouse that they are trying to eat. 🙂
Your book—please put me down for at least 3 copies. I am certain that my dear, dear daughter will live far away from me when she reaches menopause and my memory of my own menopause will be lost. I could use a copy myself, as my mother passed away before I reached menopause. I am in the throws of it right now and do not have her to ask questions to.
John is always pleased to see snakes, I am still getting used to them, this one was rather long. Still these are not poisonous so that is a good thing. I will set up an Amazon shop for buying the books, or you can buy them directly from me. Either way I shall begin to take orders as soon as they arrive. So stand by. I don’t even know how long it takes to print a book! Do you think 14.95 is an OK price? Not having a Mum around to check things with does make it pretty tough sometimes doesn’t it.. I know that one. Also i have left pages free at the end of the book for you to handwrite your own experiences before you pass it on, that way it becomes a generational thing. c
I am with you on the change in weather, down to 8°C this morning. My body went cold about two weeks ago, I wake up cold. Really cold. Good excuse to keep moving!
The only snakes around here are the ones in government! 😉
Great news about the book. 68 X 2 = 136, over half way there. I think I said three one to keep and share, one for my only sister and one for Elly my daughter. When you know the price, I’ll sort it with Elly, she has PayPal, I don’t. Are they hard or soft copy?
\when I get my copy, I’ll blog about it and that might garner a few more customers.
Thank you grannymar, that would be great, as soon as I receive the books we can get together and work that out.. paypal would be fine i am sure. They are soft cover and the cover is very beautiful.. c
Soft cover makes it easier for shipping! 😀
I am interested in having a book printed also, would you mind giving me the info on how you did it? How to find a printer, possible cost, tips? My email is filled below, thanks!
I was afraid you’d meet up with the owner of that shedded skin you photographed some weeks ago, and now i guess you have. I went immediately to your link and learned bull snakes are not to be trifled with. They have a mean disposition and a bite from one can destroy tissue. EEEKS! Plus they’re the biggest snakes in the USA. What was Grace’s reaction?
Grace and i both shrieked like girls (the snake looked at us with disdain) and then we leaned in for a closer look.. but not too close!
C. You won’t have any trouble at all selling 200 books, in fact you should probably order more. I think I would like to order mine from you so you can sign it for me! 🙂 It’s wonderful that you have snakes…just another testament to a chemical free and healthy eco-system. Snakes, frogs, toads, many insects are highly sensitive to pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, etc. and die off, so to find such a large, healthy snake means the Farmy is alive and well! Well, you already know that…even if you prefer that he/she would go live somewhere else! 🙂
I want one!
Your photos are brilliant. I love Boo.
I think snakes are beautiful, and I have a healthy respect for them. We used to have lovely king snakes where I lived before, but where I live now there are only the shy garden snakes. the big rattlesnakes give me the willies, but they are usually anxious to get out of the way and warn you, but I have shot my share to save my rabbits and cats. Just thinking about the rattler makes me babble….heh. Boo is such an agile dog, isn’t he? Give Grace a hug for us…..she seems to be a gentle soul and I wish her the best in college. I don’t even want to hear any talk about winter!!! The last one is still very much alive in my memory. 30 below zero was waaaaay too cold……and not much snow cover. Shades of frozen pipes!
Hi Celi I will have four books one each for my daughters and one for me 😀. So they are adding up fast. Good luck to Gracie x
I used to get an annual Farmers’ Almanac publication years ago. Loved it, loved to read it. This post reminds me of it. Happy wishes to the farmy today, c. xx
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I love your snake! They are such drama-queens!
I would like three books also! These photographs are so very soothing – well, except Mr. Snake! – and I loved your thoughts today. That’s a big bull snake! We have many kinds of snakes and the bull snakes are the most confusing to me. Some have patterns and others are solid. I do know the copperheads though… anything that can kill me or render me very ill I tend to pay close attention to!
Ah, snakes! They give me the creeps, but I know they do good work. Luckily up here in Maine we are not supposed to have any poisonous varieties. We have a lot of rat and garter snakes on the farm here, also a ton of frogs, toads and the grasshoppers are out of control flying objects this summer. One hit me right in the eye the other day! I hope their insane activity does not portend another hard winter, but if we went by fogs here on the coast, we would be having snow 24/7!
Some snakes are our friends and very valuable hunters! That’s a handsome one. (I’ve seen a larger black snake chase and kill copperheads. Snake will leap like bullwhips when frantically trying to escape…better to see if you are safe on a porch and they are all going away from you!)
So excited about the book! It will sell – maybe some of us can put notices on our blogs about them when you are ready?
I think you are wise about watching signs for winter. I swear one crepe myrtle which turns bright read about Dec has already tossed up a few gold and red tinged leaves. Something’s up. Mornings are oddly cool-ish and Molly is leaping like Boo hunting lizards and frogs in the flowerbed.
We’re currently getting a dust cloud from Africa coming in over head – the extreme heat is causing some afternoon thundershowers like the one right now – so hopefully some of the dust will settle out of the air.
Bye Grace – have a great year!
Hmmmm. We’ve had fog almost every morning, lately! But it’s also cooled down after quite a hot July (here in Minnesota), so what does that mean? I hope we won’t have a hard AND snowy winter!