FARM Life: the First Mouse of Fall

First thing in the morning, the pets go out. Fiona, Beth’s kitten, usually leads the pack. But earlier this week, I couldn’t find her. Sometimes, curious kittens get shut in closets, so I searched the house. Then I heard her stampeding through the living room. (For something so dainty, she can make a lot of noise.) She leaped the coffee table, then sat twitching and focused on the bottom of the sofa. A mouse.

My house was built in the late 1800s. Over 100 years of weather and wear will give anyone some imperfections. Yeah, it’s not as tight as modern construction. When the neighboring farmers harvest, we normally get a few mice. But it’s late August. Since they got into the fields late this year, harvest is 2, maybe 3 months away. This way is ahead of schedule. I suspect we’re in for an early fall and I have a list of projects to finish:

1. Edging to set.
2. Shrubs to plant.
3. Perennials to move.
4. A couple of small things to build.
5. A little painting.

It’s been a good gardening year, so I started more projects. I suspect I only have a few weeks to wrap them up.

Looking for a diet tip in here somewhere? Get interested in something besides food and what you’re not eating. Plant a garden. Start a blog. Redecorate your house. Join a book club. Volunteer. Learn a foreign language. Play an instrument. The point is, get a life. There's more to being happy than a full stomach.