I’m mighty fond of a stay-indoors-all-day blizzard, especially when there is no loss of electricity. I prepared for the worst and was pleasantly surprised. With no town water, I rely on an electric pump to deliver from the well. Every time there is the threat of a storm, I fill every available bottle and bucket. I grew up with periods of no water. The town well in Rew, Pa., was less than reliable. We drove to a nearby spring and hauled many times.

All the other creature comforts I can do without for short periods. I spent Monday before the storm cleaning vegetables and washing clothes just in case. There was quite a bit of cooking and baking at our house during the storm.

I spent a bit of time organizing the pantry. I went through the garlic and onions, cooked the last of the butternut squash and basically made the mental switch from last season to the new one.

I ordered my vegetable seeds, planted some onions and leeks in the greenhouse, and threw out numerous left-handed gloves. How does that happen? Does someone have all the right-handed ones?

I’ve known for years that red potatoes are not good winter keepers but refuse to believe it. While in the pantry, I came across a half bushel of them with sprouts over a foot long. I rubbed them off and cooked quite a few. There were some smaller ones that were set aside to plant in a couple of months. The white varieties are holding their own just like they are supposed to.

When I called Pine Tree Gardens with my seed order, I got a real human being right away — no pesky menu to navigate. I love that and told them so.

Right before it turned really cold I pulled the rest of the celeriac, cut off the tops and some of the roots and refrigerated them unwashed in a plastic bag. After a month I peeled, cubed and fried. Wow. They were delicious.

Last year I tried storing them in damp sand. They went to the pigs and chickens since they went all mushy.

I saw a small flock of bluebirds enjoying the remains of the spent echinacea. I am impressed that they stay in good-sized groups.

Last week, Violet and I attended the farmer’s appreciation dinner at the Agricultural Hall. We had a lovely meal and were able to catch up with our kindred spirits.

The owner of Four Star Farm in Northfield was the guest speaker. He gave an informative talk about growing grain. Naturally, I got inspired and am going to give it a go. Wheat seems like the best option to start. I actually own a flour mill. It’s a hand-powered stone grinder purchased back in my hippie past.

At any rate, sprouted wheat berries or wheat grass juice are other uses for the crop.

I must say I was impressed with President Obama’s State of the Union address. He finally blew his own horn. We’ve been waiting! The economy is better, gas prices are down and the Affordable Care Act is working. Why, oh why, can’t we have Medicare for all? I know. Republicans have hated Social Security since FDR and Medicare since LBJ.

Those who benefit from those Democratic policies are part of the Republican base. Go figure.

The Constitution requires the president to give Congress information regarding the state of the union from time to time. Since Woodrow Wilson the information has been delivered in person.

As we know, seated behind the president are the vice president (in his role as president of the Senate) and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) is the president pro tempore of the Senate in case of Joe Biden’s absence.

Both of the aforementioned gentlemen (Vice President Biden and Speaker Boehner) are on national television before millions of people. Why, I wonder, is John Boehner such a crabby appleton? Seriously, what a pill face.