Nothing in the weather world is more annoying than wind. This past week it removed the tarp from the wood pile while it was also raining. As a result, there has been over-use of dry kindling to get that wood performing properly.

Also, I had covered potted perennials with some opaque white plastic. Not only did wind dislodge it, but it tore it to shreds. Lucky for me I had a few hay bales kicking around. I covered the aforementioned pots with thick flakes. It’s much more attractive and will be useful in spring as mulch.

My friend, Sharlee, and I often joke about forecasted wind events forcing us to clean up “bucket town.” Apparently, I did not get the memo this past week.

A week ago Tuesday, a day before it turned cold, I had several honey bees in the vegetable garden. It seemed they were getting a sip of water which had collected in the curly leaves of kale and collards.

I cut some pea shoots which I had planted a month ago in the open ground. Good thing, since they are now frozen solid. Rusty at Ghost Island Farm has boatloads of them growing in his front entryway. They are easily grown in no time in a simple flat of no more than an inch of dirt. A sunny window would yield a fresh salad in a matter of weeks.

Here it is Jan. 7, as I write this, and I have already broken all of my New Year’s resolutions. Wonder why I bother every year. I guess hope springs eternal.

Hollyhocks and foxgloves are still green in the perennial beds. Everything else is looking mighty dismal.

I hope I drag out the seed catalogs this coming week. It’s time to think about making some orders. Some of my favorites sell out quickly.

When there is little to observe in my travels garden-wise, that doesn’t stop me from other observations. This is most likely an age-related comment, but when did sock fashion change to expose bare ankles all winter?

Last month’s brouhaha about the drones in New Jersey seems to have ended. I did, however, hear a segment on NPR concerning the use of drones on Mt. Everest. They are tasked with the removal of enormous amounts of trash left by climbers. Honestly, what is wrong with people, especially so-called nature lovers.

Sunday’s New York Times had an opinion piece by Thomas Friedman entitled “What if Reagan Had Been More Like Carter?”

I read it right away as I’ve been interested in all things Carter since his passing last week. Like Joe Biden, history will remember him fondly even though his presidency brought low approval ratings.

Jimmy Carter was forward thinking, especially in terms of global warming and the environment. Those of us of a certain age recall him in his cardigan sweater and the lowered thermostat. He put solar panels on the White House which were removed by Ronald Reagan.

Reagan didn’t get it — but the Chinese did. They control 80 per cent of the world’s PV solar panel supply chain. Reagan, however, recommitted the nation to cheap, polluting fossil fuels.

There you have it . . . and we’re back to another four years of Drill, Baby, Drill!