The wind is worse for outdoor work than rain or even snow. Tarps blow around, it’s impossible to spread fertilizer and a person’s overall mood becomes increasingly sour.

The forecasters say the rest of the week will improve but as we all know they are right 50 per cent of the time.

Working in the greenhouse is even unpleasant as wind makes the plastic hum non-stop. I did, however, make a feeble attempt. I transplanted some beets and onions to get some size on them before putting them outside in a few weeks.

Both can take freezing, although in the late fall that is not true. Beets left in the ground over winter tend to get mushy and onions will start growing again and become unusable.

In other food news, I, once again, removed sprouts from the diminishing supply of stored potatoes. If the task is neglected the spud gets too soft.

All I have for outdoor garden material is tiny buds on everything, spring bulbs are emerging and witch hazels are in full bloom. Check out the huge one near the barn at Brookside Farm on Middle Road.

My favorite report this week is my attendance at the annual Meat Ball at the Agricultural Society barn. There were hundreds of partiers there this past Saturday night. The band was great and children ran around like crazy. A good time was had by all.

Chef Charlie Granquist of Slough Farm told me that 150 pounds of local meat went into 1,200 meat balls.

Seven Island farms provided the meat: lamb from Allen and Mermaid farms, pork from Flat Point, Grey Barn and North Tabor, and Nip and Tuck and Leaf to Beef provide the beef. Our family had discussions as to our favorites.

How fun is it that a sold-out crowd can eat local meat and dance the night away. The menu gave us a meat map of local farmstands and their locations. This quote was included: “We have an abundance of Island-raised meat here on MV. Purchasing local meat reduces fossil fuel use, creates local jobs, builds community and tastes delicious.”

I feel the need to add that it’s great to know the animals are not raised being tortured by our national big-meat conglomerates.

I cannot let the year go by without my usual complaint about daylight saving time. As an early riser, I hate it dark in the morning and am more than ready to end the day sooner. It’s the night people stealing from the morning people.

I wonder how the political parties have become so divisive. I know we disagree about policy but honestly, watching the State of the Union address was so concerning. The Republican side of Congress could not stand up and/or clap for ending child poverty, curing cancer or helping the poor.

Poor Mike Johnson could not decide what to do. He was so fearful of DJT or the extreme right. I saw on Tuesday that the Oklahoma Republican party censured senator James Langford, a minister by the way, for negotiating with Democrats over a border bill.

There you have it. Have mercy.