After the stretch of very mild, very wet weather, it was hard to take last week’s bitter colder-than-normal and the punishing winds that blew it in. The message was clear: winter’s almost here. Better be ready.

Are you? Are we? Here’s our winter readiness check list:

• Summer furniture stashed: check

• Firewood in: check

• Screens down and stored on basement rack: check

• Stovepipe cleaned: check

• Furnace cleaned: check

• Flu shot: check

• Carrots harvested: check

• Curtains hung: check

• First cold of season: check

• Wading pool to garage; sleds, skis, snowshoes from garage: check

• Snow shovels out: check

• Summer clothes stored: check

• Boots, mittens, orange hats, etc. at the back door: check

• Dehumidifier off; humidifier on: check

• Boom box, Coleman lantern located: check

About the carrots: these were planted late and thinned much, too much, later. I told Dot Dunton there were probably two pounds of carrots in the harvest. And Dot said, wannabe gardeners shouldn’t bother. She was laughing; so was I.

The curtains look great and they do cut the breeze. We were grateful not to have an audience for the slapstick routine that was their hemming and hanging.

Here comes Christmas. More lists, including lights, gifts, festivities, tree, travel, and, the Christmas letter. Yes, or no?

We don’t send them because our one effort some years ago closed: “And then the dog died,” which didn’t reflect our joy in the season. We do get quite a few.

Thanksgiving is late this year and Christmas, therefore, seems early. Lots to do and to enjoy leading up to 12/25. The merriment here in the River Valley this year kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 6.

The chamber’s Christmas in the Valley Crafts Fair is at Mt. Valley High from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The same day, the Rumford Fire Department will host a visit by Santa at 6 p.m. Congress Street.

And the 40th anniversary RAAPA Christmas Concert is scheduled at 7 p.m. in the Muskie Auditorium and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m.

Linda Farr Macgregor and her husband, Jim, live in Rumford. She is a freelance writer. Contact: [email protected]