This weekend, hubby heads up to the cabin to begin the process of shutting it down and winterizing it for the season. Its a melancholic task, but a necessary one. Last year, our only mistake was leaving linens on open shelves and on the beds. Mice took advantage of the free bedding and made little rodent condos in the folds of towels, blankets and sheets.

This year, the plan is to strip all bedding, wash and dry it, then fold it away, tucked into large plastic containers. Ditto with towels.

Canned foods are brought home so that they dont explode in frigid Wisconsin winter weather, and the water pump is drained and pulled from its cavernous lair. All pipes are drained and filled with RV antifreeze.

The van, lawnmower, and boat are drained and filled with a protective oil coating on their parts that are prone to corrosion.

Finally, a small floating de-icer is placed on top of the pond to allow gases from decaying vegetation and fish waste to escape and for some oxygen exchange to occur.