Time to Prepare for Winter!

Preparing for Winter in Minnesota:

  1.      Wait for the fine line in the weather when it turns from hot and muggy to cool and rainy to make the transition from summer to winter, but don’t wait too long or it will be difficult to work in the mud and the ground will be too soft.

  2.      Pull the dock out – but don’t do this too early as there could be good swimming days left. Wait for that one day when the water temperature drops roughly 30 degrees overnight to signal that it is no longer swimming weather. Once this happens, don’t wait, as the water will soon be turning to ice.

  3.      Put away bikes, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, and all other summer toys.

  4.      Put plow on truck/4-wheeler/ranger/bobcat, or whatever vehicle is used to push the mounds of snow out of the way .

  5.      Put chains on tires of above vehicle.

  6.      Rake up leaves and mow the grass one last time or it will be a huge mulchy mess in the spring.

  7.      Prepare driveways for snowplowing by moving all stationary obstacles as far away from plowing areas as possible. If this is not done, you run the risk of burying them in the snow and losing them until spring - that is if you don’t find them by hitting them with the plow.

  8.      Fill the barn with hay so the horses don’t starve over the winter.

  9.      Put hay over the septic systems and well to keep them from freezing. Nothing like having your pipes freeze half way through winter only to spend the rest of the season bringing clothes to the Laundromat and showering at friends’ houses.

  10.  Put summer clothes away and pull out all long sleeve shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, long underwear, turtlenecks, boots, scarves, mittens, earmuffs, down jackets, snow pants, and anything else that will keep the chill away.

  11.  Pull out winter toys, including snowmobiles, sleds, skis (cross-country and/or downhill), snowshoes, and snow molds for building snow forts.

  12.  Change the tires on the car from summer tires to snow-tires.

  13.  Change oil in the car to winter grade.

  14.  Fill up the windshield washer fluid in the car.

  15.  Put away the ice tea and stock up on hot-cocoa and marshmallows.

  16.  Turn off the air-conditioner, and move the wood pile closer to the house for cozy nights by the fireplace. 

17.  Stock up on Kleenex and cold medicine. 

  18.  Put away the potted plants and make room for Christmas lights.

  19.  Now wait for the snow to come…

Preparing for Winter in California:

    1.      Put pool toys in shed.

    2.      Pull out sweatshirt.