It Happens Every Time

Or at least it often has. I wasn't even going to attempt the Farm Side yesterday. Too much week for the number of days available to put stuff in.

However, I had what I thought was a sorta clever idea while setting up calf milk in the barn yesterday morning. My brothers, cousins, and I grew up on stories of a horrible hurricane that trapped my father and grandfather on Long Island, where they were working in an engine plant, and wrecked NYC.

I would write the story as if it were happening now...as if it were Sandy...and then segue into the actual recent storm, for a comparison that would be stronger because at first I didn't explain which hurricane I was describing.

I even called Mom and Dad and interviewed them for details and asked the boss about it. He is four years older than I and actually remembers it. I was two at the time.

The hurricane was Carol in 1954.

I felt pretty self-satisfied when I was done and submitted it.

Then last night on Fox News O'Reilly or somebody like that...I was reading Winter of the World (which is btw, well-written and riveting) and not paying any attention...compared Sandy to several hurricanes in the early fifties, including Carol.

Dagnabbit. By the time mine runs on Friday it will be an old story. Is this an example of fools thinking alike or the other thing? Dunno, anyhow, it has happened a dozen times with farm magazines too. I have to laugh.