Preparing for Winter

I am concentrating on being ready for winter. Last year I was not prepared. It was my first winter in the area; locals called it a rough one. Lacking their yard stick, I know that shovelling snow grew tiresome quickly. It's clear to me how healthy people can suffer a heart attack while clearing their walks and driveways. I also suffered the extreme indignity of getting the car stuck (on two occasions) crossways in the street while attempting to ascend my driveway, which is fairly steep. My neighbors are fine people, they came out of their warm homes both times into a bitter cold night to offer me carpet strips, containers filled with sand, gravel or kitty litter and to drive or push as needed. We are all about the same age (my younger neighbors did not appear, I am thinking it may be a hearing thing as they are friendly, helpful kids). The pictures here are from last year; my incentive to do better.

I have two new snow shovels this year. The one I used last winter was a yard sale find. We were well matched in age and effectiveness. This year will be better. Also, I am fostering a relationship with my yard man who may be willing to do snow removal.

After a while, snow placement becomes a real problem. I might shovel a path into the back yard so that snow can be flung in at least two directions. Desperate measures could find me flinging the stuff over the fence into the neighbors' yards. They don't use them in the winter anyway.

The only one who uses my backyard in winter is the skunk hibernating beneath the deck, and squirrels of course, searching for nuts they buried earlier. Those little critters know how to prepare. I have done a few things to get ready (we had our first significant snowfall this weekend). The back of my car contains a dozen sand-filled kitty litter jugs. The attic has insulation, blown in earlier, new plywood walkways and a new attic staircase; this allows me to inspect the roof for leaks instead of waiting for moisture to appear on plastered ceilings below. I have crampon things for my boots that may reduce the risk of falls, better winter wear and so on. No doubt there is more to learn, but for now ninos I am snug inside, baking cookies and planning my next visit. See you soon!