Our seasons here are not super extreme but there is a clear separation between summer and winter. We all know the difference between fall, winter, spring, and summer but do we really stop and take notice of the differences or in this case the rather large contrast between summer and winter. I think it is kind of amazing and I definitely have learned to appreciate the differences living a little closer to the land than I used to.
Summer sees temperatures up to 100 degrees F and winter can get to below zero.
During the summer we get eggs from the chickens and you can see them roaming the property looking for bugs. Today only one will lay an egg (maybe) and they are all huddled in the coop because it is 7 degrees F.
In the summer our horse’s coats are sleek and shiny and you seldom see them because they are out grazing on green grass. Today their coats are thick and fuzzy and they eat hay in the morning, go for a nap, and come back in the late afternoon for dinner.
We have goats this year. Little Angora’s. I have no idea how I might see a change in the seasons but you can be assured of one thing – lots of goat pellets on the ground in the summer and winter. Always the goat pooh. It’s everywhere. I have noticed one thing already – they eat green grass as long as it lasts and then they switch to green pine needles off our pine trees in the winter. I think green is their favorite color.
In the summer you never know what you will see on the tractor – forks for helping cut wood, a rototiller, mower, or the front loader moving dirt. From October to April it has a snow plow on the front and chains on the rear wheels and it only has one purpose – to plow snow.
In the summer we have to mow the open grassy areas around the house. It looks nicer but it is also a fire deterrent. During the winter all you see around the house is snow and a lot of it has to be shoveled away from the house especially in the spring to prevent water damming up against the house when the thaw comes.
Our garden is a highlight in the summer. Approximately 3000 square feet of vegetables and berries. Next spring we are going to add apple trees. We also take the tops off the insulated cold frames and grow tomatoes, and strawberries. Now – a few heads of lettuce and cold weather veggies in the cold frame and you can be assured it has the top back on. We’re not sure how cold it can get before it destroys our plants but so far that hasn’t happened. Our current weather will be a real test because the cold is lasting so long this time. Usually it just hits us for a few days. Right now it is forecast for the next 10 days!! Our garden is completely under snow.
Our masonry heater stays dormant in the summer. No ash floating around or the occasional smoke. The windows are open a lot. The house mostly heats itself passively. The woodshed is empty in the summer and full in the winter.
We drive our little blue truck to town in the summer. It gets really good mileage. Back to the all wheel drive gas hog during the winter. 3 miles of compact snow and ice between us and the plowed paved roads.
I’m taking notice of these things because the seasonal contrast here is greater than where I came from. Because I used to live in a condo and work in an office – the biggest difference I noticed between seasons was what coat I needed to wear.
Ed and Laurie Essex live off grid in the Okanogan Highlands of Washington State where they operate their websitegoodideasforlife.com and offgridworks.com.
