The leaves have long since fallen from the trees and been raked up, bagged and for some, banked around the house. The trees are completely bare except for the few apples that cling determinedly to their branches. And the hard ground no longer sprouts green grass or colorful flowers. Winter has definitely made its presence known.
We wait anxiously for that first Nor-Easter to strike us helpless in our homes and as we wait, we prepare ourselves for the oncoming onslaught of the white stuff. This time-consuming preparation is an absolute necessity in our homes and our vehicles. For our homes, we stockpile wood, ready the furnace, wrap our older homes in plastic or pile bales of hay around the foundation. All in the name of keeping Old Man winter’s icy breath from creeping into our homes.
For our vehicles, we load the trunk with enough essentials to last a week if we’re stranded. Chains, ice-melt, shovel, a flashlight, with at least two packs of batteries. One or two thick wool blankets, another set of clothing. Boots, hats, mittens and maybe even some food rations to get us through. So much stuff we may have to remove the spare tire to get it all in. Never mind that at least three plow trucks will likely cruise by us as we sit helpless on the side of the road. Or that 9.5 % of all other drivers, that pass by us, will have a cell phone attached to their ear. And hopefully they will call 911 for us (if in fact we are the lone 5 % who do not own a cell phone...yes that would be me). But as the saying goes, better to have all that stuff than not, especially when we need it.
Travel advice for the brave soul that dares to venture out in a Nor’easter seems like a pertinent article to write this time of year. With this article I’d like to share some of my own advice for being prepared. Actually, these are the words of experience, from someone who’s found herself on the wrong side of a snowbank, one too many times.
The first and foremost piece of advice I can give; STAY HOME ! Just call in sick to work, grab some of that stockpiled wood, light a roaring fire and just cozy on in for the day. And when the power goes out, which it inevitably will, light the candles or oil lanterns and grab that bestseller you’ve been wanting to read.
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But, if you absolutely MUST go out, here are ten of my own personal must-haves. And remember these are tips from an ‘experienced’ winter driver.
1) A brand-new pair of wiper blades. So you can actually see where you’re going through that twirling, twisting snow.
2) Plan ahead and leave for work an hour or an hour and half early, maybe even two. Because driving at speeds of only 20 - 25 takes a loooong time to get there.
3) Charge your cell phone (if you have one).
4) Have a list of telephone numbers for all local tow trucks. If you don’t already have it, get AAA. It’s the thing to definitely have, especially this time of year.
5) Stay inside your car. Bundle up with those extra blankets, hats, mittens and slip on those warm boots.
6) Be like an outdoorsman/woman, buy some Hot Hands or Hot Feet (body generated warming packets that slip inside your mittens and socks).
7) De-Icer and Lock De-Icer, for the windshields and doors. It beats having to chip away at a sheet of sheer ice, on your windshield or door handles, after a day of freezing rain.
8) When cold weather starts, pour a container of Iso-Heat in the gas tank before filling up. This will keep your gas line from freezing up.
9) Jumper cables (a no-brainer).
10) And lastly...just stay home.
I'm dreaming of a White Christmas!
Happy Holidays!
