Weather events like this remind us just how little control we have in the grand scheme of things. But in the aftermath, I’m always amazed at how willing people are to lend a hand and help. 

Those who homestead are often in a unique position to help, as our lifestyle lends itself to being prepared. And for those who are too far away to lend a hand in person, the Red Cross is already hard at work offering assistance and relief to the victims of this hurricane.

If watching the news has you worried about what your family would do in an emergency, why not put that worry into action. You don’t have to go all out; start small. It may surprise you how easy it is to gather essentials for your family in case of a disaster.  

It would seem that fall is here to stay. Watching the forecast, it looks like we will get our first frost in the next week or so. 

I think I’ve mentioned before that I live in an old Victorian newspaper building. What was once three floors of offices has been converted into a shopfront at the ground level and four apartments on the second and third floors.

My neighbors on the top floor have the responsibility of turning the main heat for the building on and off for the season. This afternoon we all got a text saying they had held out long enough and were turning on the heat. 

Our family has always been ridiculous about such things, bragging about who could hold out the longest before turning the heat on. When I got the text from my neighbor saying he had turned the heat on, that stubborn, competitive streak in me flared up, and I checked all of my radiator valves to ensure they were still firmly closed.  

Where do you stand in the thermostat games, readers? Are you ready to turn the heat on or throw on another sweater before admitting defeat?