Winter advice for people new to winter

Cécile Stelzer Johnson wrote:

Pearl Sutton wrote:I'm absolutely not desperate to do this. I have no real need at all. I have nowhere I need to go that bad. I'm mostly just tired of being in the house and curious :D
If I DID have a need, it might be a good trick to know about.
I can get my mowing deck to 6 inches up.
Don't have a clue whether it would start, it lives outside under a tarp.

I understand the feeling: I'm getting a bad case of cabin fever myself. I'm making a list of chores: When to graft, which trees/ bushes to get, from whom... Go over the seeds I've saved. Thumbing through seed catalogs. Any seeds that are too old will get tossed in fertile ground, in case they'd grow, somewhere, close to where the chickens can get at it. I fixed their door today. Before too long, spring cleaning and taxes. I'm not sure which one I hate the most. I want to build a chick-mobile... Spring fever... bad. Projects ... good.

I'm tackling sewing projects - same concept - keep my mind off things I'd *love* to be working on outside, but it's just not safe - we're getting rain on top of icy snow, so you never quite know where your foot will land once your weight's fully on it. I already had a bad fall 3 days ago - I'd just got my Right shoulder working and am back to square one or nearly... sigh...

However - we get wet heavy snow. A friend of mine bought a snow blower attachment for a walking tractor. He pushed it out of the shed through the snow - bad idea, as the front was now in the heavy snow and when he went to start it, he broke the shear bolts and spent the rest of the day trying to figure out how to fix it. Patience is a virtue. If I'm patient with this snow, it will go away on its own.

I think it may or may not work depending on lots of things.  Driving over the snow may suck it up and blow it out the side discharge.  Driving along and using the side discharge to blow snow on your right farther to the right may also work well.

My mower can't even pick up leaves off the driveway when I drive over them but it blows the ones on my right away.

I'm sure it would be highly dependent upon how wet the snow is.  Above 25 degrees I wouldn't try it.

I'm pretty sure it won't harm your mower at all to try as long as you don't leave a lot of snow on the mower to melt and rust it out.

Hubby figures if you don't have snow chains for your lawn tractor (yes, they are available - we just got a set), it probably won't work because you'll just get stuck. Go ahead and prove him wrong if you're that desperate to get out of the house! Actually, with the cold you guys are getting, it might be good just to start it and let it run a little to charge the battery?

If it's used to sitting all winter, I'd not start it to keep the battery charged.  Cold starting can take a bit of oomph and idling to recharge may take longer than you think (just a suspicion).  So you might end up with less juice than you started with.  On the other hand, an engine that runs every once in a while tends to start better the next go around.  On the first hand, older mowers require different viscosity oil for below 32 degrees.  If you don't have the thinner oil in there it could do some engine damage until it heats up.

Hm. I don't want to hurt it. Don't have special oil in it, forget what's in there, 15-40 probably, that's pretty standard for me. And I don't have chains, and it normally  parks up a short steep hill, might have to sleep in it's lower spot if I try this. Actually I HAVE chains. I do NOT require this enough to even consider putting them on. :D there's curiosity and amusement, and there's a shit ton of effort, and I have a large pile of work to do :) I might go out, see if it starts,see what it does within 8 feet of where it parks, and decide then if anything else happens.

As far as the throw, it still has it's grass deflector off from being a leaf picker upper, so it'll throw right and probably up, as well as a long ways. The idea of just using it to blow is interesting. It blows leaves well.  

Hmmm.... food for thought.

My best guess based on my friends experience with his skid steer is that you would have traction issues and likely not be able to get back up any hills you go down.  So if you do try it, keep that in mind.  Should you try it, please do let us know what happens, but since you really don't need to and it's an expensive piece of equipment I don't think I'd recommend it.

If you just want to get out of the house perhaps you can bundle up build a snow fort, and throw snowballs at anyone who comes by!

Pearl Sutton wrote:What happens if I take a riding mower to the snow? Does it blow it neatly? Damage the mower? I'd stay off the packed icky stuff, we got a lot of powder that's settling down now.

Personally, I wouldn't try this. With a light oil (5W30) or pre-warming, the engine would be fine. But snow is funny stuff. It may come down soft and fluffy, but when it's "worked" (mechanically manipulated) it turns into concrete. I suspect that's what will happen inside the mower deck housing, and possibly on the blades also. There's too much potential for imbalance and wear-and-tear IMO.

Looks like it'll remain speculation. I missed my window of opportunity to test it. The sun is out, and it's not powder anymore. I also have a severe back spasm that I can't get to calm down, don't think I could get on the mower if I tried.
Guess it remains theoretical....
Thank you all for input! Sorry I can't give results
Looks like housework again today

:D

Pearl Sutton wrote:Looks like it'll remain speculation. I missed my window of opportunity to test it. The sun is out, and it's not powder anymore. I also have a severe back spasm that I can't get to calm down, don't think I could get on the mower if I tried.
Guess it remains theoretical....
Thank you all for input! Sorry I can't give results
:D

So sorry to hear about your back spasm. Take care of yourself. Maybe a good warm bath with Epsom salts is in order. https://www.healthline.com/health/back-pain-home-remedies#:~:text=Take%20a%20relaxing%20Epsom%20salt%20bath&text=Soaking%20for%20about%2020%20minutes,can%20cause%20muscles%20to%20cramp.

I love that the BBC just posted this.  https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-16946762

How to drive in snow and icy weather
Driving in severe winter weather can pose many challenges, and in very bad conditions it may be best to avoid driving at all unless your journey is essential.

But if you do need to use your car in snowy or icy conditions, make sure you are as well-prepared as possible.
...

This contrasts dramatically with our local advise which is: STAY HOME for the love of whatever deity you respect!  Even if you, by some miracle, are one of the 10% of cars with winter tyres, and can remember how to drive in the snow, all the other drivers out there aren't and don't.    If you don't have 72 hours worth of supplies in your home (in an earthquake zone), then you are an idiot and can skip a few meals until the roads clear.  

And that's at one inch of snow.  The wording gets much stronger when it's over four inches.  

LOL, r ranson! Prairie folks find it highly amusing when there's a "snowpocalypse" on the Wet Coast!

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:LOL, r ranson! Prairie folks find it highly amusing when there's a "snowpocalypse" on the Wet Coast!

We laugh at how flatlanders drive around corrners here.  It's extremely obvious.

It's hard to explain just how hilly, twisty the roads are here.  Add people who haven't driven in snow before and bald tires,... meh, they are only 10 year old tires, still got a good 8 years left....yep.  snowpocalypse is the word for it.

Although,  it's mostly newly migrated flatlanders that get in the most accidents because for some reason, they imagined the other car is going to behave predictably in snow.  

I used to really love this tree.

It was a blight resistant Elm tree that was becoming a really beautiful shade tree.  We heard several crashes of branches last night and when I checked in the morning it was pretty much what I was afraid would happen.

I guess we will go looking for another tree to plant.

Eric

As someone who has lived in snow country his whole life, I have picked up a few nuggets of advise over the years but one really stood out.

I was talking to a buddies father who only owned two wheel drive trucks and I was confused why he wouldn't splurge for four wheel drive. His reasoning was that if he couldn't get somewhere in two wheel drive, he probably shouldn't be driving in it. Four wheel drive will just give you the confidence to get into worse trouble.

Eric Hanson wrote:I used to really love this tree.

So sorry for your loss, Eric.
Any chance you could take a cutting and root it? (After it thaws...)

r ranson wrote:

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:LOL, r ranson! Prairie folks find it highly amusing when there's a "snowpocalypse" on the Wet Coast!

We laugh at how flatlanders drive around corrners here.  It's extremely obvious.

It's hard to explain just how hilly, twisty the roads are here.  Add people who haven't driven in snow before and bald tires,... meh, they are only 10 year old tires, still got a good 8 years left....yep.  snowpocalypse is the word for it.

Although,  it's mostly newly migrated flatlanders that get in the most accidents because for some reason, they imagined the other car is going to behave predictably in snow.  

Fair point! I've driven rental cars on twisty remote hightways on Vancouver Island. Sometimes I wasn't sure if I was driving or flying a stunt plane. Icy snow on those roads would be pretty freaky.

Twisty hilly roads = like driving in snow.

Never break in a corrner, always slow down before.

Accelerate out of the turn for better control, especially when wet.  Not slamming breaks at the end of the curve because they took it too fast.

Avoid the breaks, the hills will govern the speed well enough with minimal gas pedal action.  Use the hills and momentum to the advantage.  Super awesome for fuel savings as our mid 90s van gets 11 to 15....in the new metric version of fuel effectively.   My friend says it's impossible as 21 is the normal number for a 4 year old car and a van that old can't be efficient.   I say it's the driver as much as the car.  He doesn't brag about his car anymore.

That autospeed function is a good way to loose control on our twisty roads.  Never used it here but I can imagine situations it could be useful.

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:

r ranson wrote:

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:LOL, r ranson! Prairie folks find it highly amusing when there's a "snowpocalypse" on the Wet Coast!

We laugh at how flatlanders drive around corrners here.  It's extremely obvious.

It's hard to explain just how hilly, twisty the roads are here.  Add people who haven't driven in snow before and bald tires,... meh, they are only 10 year old tires, still got a good 8 years left....yep.  snowpocalypse is the word for it.

Although,  it's mostly newly migrated flatlanders that get in the most accidents because for some reason, they imagined the other car is going to behave predictably in snow.  

Fair point! I've driven rental cars on twisty remote hightways on Vancouver Island. Sometimes I wasn't sure if I was driving or flying a stunt plane. Icy snow on those roads would be pretty freaky.

Couple of generations of flatlander in my blood, but I'm beginning to realize this driving habit can be 'un-learned' in possibly a single generation.  Spent several years in my 20s from southern Washington to central Oregon, mostly hugging the Cascade range.  As noted, I was the one with the long line of impatient drives behind me as I tried to peer around each twisty corner before convincing myself I might try giving it a little gas. Then had a first cousin visit from the north Bay Area and just about lost my lunch as he careened around the loops with skill and gusto.  I never felt in danger of losing my life, just my most recent meal.  I learned to speed up more on the straight-aways, just to let those behind know I wasn't on a Sunday drive...  My advantage, however, is being able to drive across Nebraska (the Saskatchewan of the South) completely fascinated by never having to touch the steering wheel with my hands.  Just wedge knees under the wheel and let the ponys run.... lol

r ranson wrote: I say it's the driver as much as the car.  

I agree 100% -- both in fuel efficiency and in driving safely in icy conditions.

Adding to the good suggestions above ...

Most vehicles give you a "feel" for the conditions under the tires. Even with top notch ice tires you might notice that it's suddenly a bit greasy underfoot. Pay attention and adjust!

If you're driving a rear-wheel drive vehicle, get a bunch of extra weight in the back! I don't care if you have a 4x4 pickup, you're still mostly rear wheel drive. If your back end swings out, you're in the ditch. If you're driving aggressively, you might not end up "shiny side up." And if you do start to swing out on the rear end, stay off the brakes and click into neutral -- the ship will right herself. Automatic transmissions keep pushing (at least the old ones did, which was lethal).

Better, do what we do: drive manual 5-speed transmissions. The level of control in sketchy conditions is awesome.

It's taken me a while to get through this thread since it was in the dailyish a while ago.

Lot's of good information here.

My preference is for steel shovels.  I know they weigh more, but they get the job done and don't break down.  Aluminum scoops are for grain not snow (trust me, a good way to ruin the edge of a shovel).  Plastic is, well, plastic.  I have an aversion in the first place, but we also occasionally get cold enough that some plastics self-destruct if you look at them the wrong way, let alone try to do something useful with them.

I like to go with the Scouts motto I grew up with - "Be Prepared".  That's easier said than done, especially in places where winter weather is an atypical event.  At least for those in Canada, there may be a chain store where you can order an item for in store delivery when you find something you like (a particular shovel / tool / etc).

If you don't have to, don't go out.  I think that's the most common sense thing.  Of course, for those with animals, that may not be possible.  If you do have animals though and are rebuilding, perhaps you want to look at the concept of the house-barn - see Photos from Neubergthal here.  I believe there's an example at the Mennonite Heritage Village in Steinbach, Manitoba as well.  Animals and humans in adjacent spaces helping to insulate and heat each other while also having a pass-through for humans to be able to do chores.

I won't add much to the driving theme, but growing up (I'm the son of a Saskatchewan farmer) we always had two-wheel-drive pickups.  As Douglas noted recently, weight in the bed is very helpful.  Keeping a shovel in the truck is part of being prepared.  I recall one year out hunting - at the time we had a 1984 or '85 Ford Ranger with 5-speed.  The little-used road we were on did have tracks, but all from full-size trucks which were wider.  Dad noticed he was having some challenges, so we wound up shovelling snow into the back as weight.  A very permie thing to do - the problem is the solution.

Another amusing memory - a company I used to be involved with had it's head office in the Atlanta area.  You could always tell when they got snow as we got an email that head office was closed and HO staff would be working from home on a best efforts basis.  Email worked OK if you knew who you wanted to get a hold of, but the general phone lines were tougher to get through.

Depending on conditions, something like Icer's or other strap-on studs for your feet can help.  I find they work best when there is some level of snow that can compress (for the Icer's I have - the others that are more of a spike may work better on ice).  When it's hard ice I find what I have doesn't work as well.  I did replace the studs last winter I think and got a spare set as well...when those run out I may look to other options.

I'm a Canadian prairie boy and I think many of us take a perverse pride at how we can handle the cold.  We went to Terrace, BC one year to the in-laws for Christmas and I brought my skis.  I was incredulous when, at about -20C, I was told to call the ski hill to ensure they were open because of the cold.  In central SK, there wasn't much in the way of hills, but I do recall going to Table Mountain near North Battleford at -30C.  One reality about the cold is that you can dress for it.  Layer up.  Wind chill is a rate of cooling and the pseudo-equivalent reported by the bubble-headed weather reporters is really only relevant to exposed skin.  If you're covered up, the wind chill factor (which removes a very thin layer of air next to your skin that you've warmed up) is largely irrelevant.  In my third year of university in Saskatoon (1989-90), I walked from Sutherland to the engineering building.  That was before it was built up like it is today and a portion was university fields for the department of agriculture...layers, especially with a wind-resistant outer layer made it very manageable.

That said, it is a dry cold - that means we don't get as much precipitation as some cooler, more humid areas do.

Just for kicks, I'll attach images of local temperatures I took after getting back from this morning's dog walk.

Derek T. wrote "Same, but in Fahrenheit for our metric-challenged friends to the south"....    Thanks!.... even decades spent in a research lab using Celsius, Grams/Liters, and Hectares has not wrestled from my brain the need for the Fahrenheit scale when estimating the face-ripping intensity of a good Alberta clipper. ;-)

Can't get over the fact that Winnipeg is farther straight north from the Fargo area than Minneapolis is to the south of us.....yet, the latter is routinely 10 - 15 degrees (F) warmer than us in winter whereas Winnipeg is nearly the same temperature.  All the same, the coldest temperatures typically, but by no means always, are accompanied by clear skies,---and we are already feeling the difference in sun intensity, even if rather mild just now.  Passive solar still so underutilized in reconstruction and new building efforts in the region.

Trivia I learned about cold today: thermos type water jugs can not only freeze solid, but freeze the lid on too. Check your jugs if it’s going to matter.

Another thing to consider is seasonality of supply availability.  By that I mean the season snow shovels are available in the big box stores doesn't necessarily jive with when an area gets snow.  Many of them have those items in a "seasonal" area and around here, the shovels are gone and the lawn mowers and such are on display well before the snow is melted (similar to trying to find summer clothing at the end of summer...shorts are replaced with parkas on display when you don't want to even be thinking about cooler weather.

I forget if it was spring or fall a while ago, but I was looking for something late season...according to the web site, the Canadian Tire store I checked had stock so I went there to find the display area had moved on a season...the staff told me that the store stock listed would be in the back warehouse, and they couldn't be depended upon to find what I was after...sigh.

So, I guess the lesson is that if you think you may want a snow shovel in the northern hemisphere, get it now (January) because if you wait a month, they may be tough to find.  Alternatively, you could set yourself a reminder to check around September for next winter.

It seems I'm always wanting oddball things...sigh.  Oh, hey, look, it's up to -29C in mid-afternoon (-20F).  This too shall pass....

Derek Thille wrote:Another thing to consider is seasonality of supply availability.  By that I mean the season snow shovels are available ...  

Depends on your supply source. It helps to be a contrarian -- in late spring/ early summer, during garage-clean-out season, I have my pick of free snow shovels that have a ding or two and need my attention for about 5 minutes. When I look at what big box stores charge for a hunk of plastic on a stick, I'm pretty sure I make more than a lawyer.

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:

Derek Thille wrote:Another thing to consider is seasonality of supply availability.  By that I mean the season snow shovels are available ...  

Depends on your supply source. It helps to be a contrarian -- in late spring/ early summer, during garage-clean-out season, I have my pick of free snow shovels that have a ding or two and need my attention for about 5 minutes. When I look at what big box stores charge for a hunk of plastic on a stick, I'm pretty sure I make more than a lawyer.

True enough, but we are both in an area that regularly experiences winter, so those items are available.  I was thinking back to the original question for those who may be in an area where snowy weather is less of a predictable occurrence, so there may not be the abundance you have available.

Derek Thille wrote:True enough, but we are both in an area that regularly experiences winter, so those items are available.  I was thinking back to the original question for those who may be in an area where snowy weather is less of a predictable occurrence, so there may not be the abundance you have available.

Cheers neighbour! Good point! Here's a thought -- I rarely have a full snow shovel in my car. Instead I always have a garden spade (not a shovel) with a sharp bevel. This is the do-everything tool, from moving snow and chopping ice, to moving wood chips and compost, to digging trees and chopping down weeds/saplings. In my world, it does all of these things. I suppose it could even be the basis of a few Klingon self-defence moves, at the risk of straining something.

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:

Derek Thille wrote:True enough, but we are both in an area that regularly experiences winter, so those items are available.  I was thinking back to the original question for those who may be in an area where snowy weather is less of a predictable occurrence, so there may not be the abundance you have available.

Cheers neighbour! Good point! Here's a thought -- I rarely have a full snow shovel in my car. Instead I always have a garden spade (not a shovel) with a sharp bevel. This is the do-everything tool, from moving snow and chopping ice, to moving wood chips and compost, to digging trees and chopping down weeds/saplings. In my world, it does all of these things. I suppose it could even be the basis of a few Klingon self-defence moves, at the risk of straining something.

ROFLMAO...a bat'leth it is not.  Let's hope you don't piss off any Klingons.

For the vehicles, I generally use a small square shovel with a D handle so they're short enough to fit in the various vehicle configurations (I used to have a bigger one in the back of the pickup, but the handle died).  She Who Must Be Obeyed purchased one of those three-way folding spades...darn near useless as far as I'm concerned, but it doesn't take much space and would be much more effective than a scraper should one find themselves in a snowbank.

If anyone is still reading this thread for advice/information, I will start by saying that there is a lot of good information here already.

I could make a list that could go on indefinitely, but I thought that I would start with a few basics.

Clothing:

1.  Dress in layers.  This is an old piece of advice that rings true as ever.  I suggest getting multiple pairs of long underwear--both for the upper and lower body.  This long underwear should come in two categories--Thin and comfortable on the skin that serves as a base layer, and thick/bulky/insulative that really traps heat.  Experiment with different layering combinations.  Also, have enough that you can have plenty throughout your regular laundry cycle.  

2.  Find warn regular clothing.  There is no shortage of very good, warm clothing for the upper body.  The lower body is a bit more difficult.  Jeans are only so-so when it comes to cold weather and if you can find something else, that would be great.

3.  Good headwear.  Find something that covers the head, face, neck, and extends down the chest/back so that you have total coverage.  A good Balaclava is a good option.

4.  Good, solid winter gloves.  These should be insulated and waterproof.  They are not necessarily cheap, but your hands will thank you when they would otherwise be wet and cold.

5.  Footwear.  I suggest some type of insulated, waterproof boot, preferably one that has a good rise up the leg.

6.  Socks!  Not cotton socks as these get wet--and then cold!  Go for wool or something similar.

**Edited to add to this list**

7.  Wind/Waterproof outer layer.  Mostly this applies to a good jacket/parka/coat/etc.  But I also always keep a set of wind pants around that I can throw on as my outer layer.  Even though it has no actual insulation, it stops wind dead, and that makes everything else a much better set of insulation.  If you have insulated bib overalls, this could be a great option.  Another might be a set of insulated Carharts or similar.



Travel:

1.  Learn to travel in the snow in the vehicle that you have.  Driving on snow/ice is a skill and no 4WD will save you if you don't already know how to drive on snow/ice in the first place.  I have never had a 4WD, but I have driven through PLENTY of blizzards and ice storms in a compact car (1990 Ford Escort).   I never got stuck in snow, but then I was not relying in 4WD in the first place.

2.  Always keep a winter kit in the vehicle.  Blanket, hat, gloves, scarf, socks, etc.  Add more.

3.  Keep a shovel in the vehicle.


I will continue this list later, but this is a start.

Eric

There are many judgement issues in play here, but when driving on slick roads and approaching a stop sign where I know I will not be able to stop at, I turn slightly toward the edge of the road and use the snow on the side of the road to slow my vehicle.  Caution, the last time I lived in the north country was before cars were made of plastic.

John makes a really good point.  Two actually and I fully agree with each of them.

Hi  Eric,

The older I get, the more I appreciate good socks, gloves, and hat.

I am also going to add that I completely agree with everything stated by R above.  Be careful on hills/turns.  Plan your turns/stops well in advance.  Use the upside of a hill to slow down if appropriate.  If a stop comes at the bottom of a hill, begin breaking as soon as you crest the hill and gently break on the way down.  That means gently and not slamming on the breaks.  Slamming on the breaks just causes one to skid and skidding causes loss of control.

It is good to test your car in some slippery condition in a controlled location (think an empty parking lot) when you can.

Slow down, plan your turns/stops and just assume that it will take longer to get to your destination than you initially expected.

Good luck and stay safe,

Eric

It's shaping up to be a classic winter near the border of Minnesota and North Dakota.  Not a huge amount of snow, but the drifting of just a few inches of accumulated snowfall can amount to packed snow several feet in depth.  An underappreciated aspect of the lack of snow is the additional cost in heating the home and animal dwellings.  Without the insulation around the base of the buildings and roof provided by snow cover, there is just more energy used to keep internal areas of the buildings up to minimal desired temperatures.  Additionally, we are having to thaw pipes more frequently as ground heaving (saturated clay soil) twists building structures and foundations creating new cracks that weren't there in previous years.

After a few days in the teens to 20 below zero F,  I'm always amazed that our un-garaged cars will start....given some timing to wait for the temp to creep to -10 or higher.  But I have to remind my wife to check the end of the driveway for drifting.  All of our vehicles are 4X4/AWD, but few 4X4 cars/trucks except for those with exceptionally high ground clearance can traverse a packed snow drift that will hang you up on the axles and undercarriage.  A locally infamous story of deaths of this nature right in the city of Fargo took place near the airport in 1984 on a well-travelled city road:  https://news.prairiepublic.org/dakota-datebook/2020-02-06/blizzard-of-1984

And good reminder above that 4X4 helps you start moving and can help hold the road under the right circumstances, but does little to help you stop.  Anticipating the status of an approaching intersection becomes key with respect to ice, drifting, and...in spring....depth of water produced by snowmelt when the storm drains are still frozen shut.

John,

YES!!!  I love your comment about the limits of 4WD, specifically that they really don't help you stop.  I have had so many students driving 4WD on poor road conditions and get into an accident and are amazed that their 4WD did not prevent the accident.  My typical reply is that all vehicles have four wheel stop, but if you just slam on the breaks on slippery conditions, you are probably going off the road or going to hit the vehicle ahead of you.

Students get stunned when they realize that all vehicle do indeed have four wheel stop.


Eric

John Weiland,

Ahhh, I have fond memories of West-Central Minnesota in the winter.  To be clear, I never actually lived in Minnesota, but my grandparents had a farm near the intersection of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota and we traveled there regularly.  I miss Christmas there.  I loved the snow, the drifts, the extreme cold.  Every place that you mentioned are places with which I am familiar (Fargo, etc.).  My experiences in Minnesota in the winter formed a lot of the basis I have for being prepared for snow and cold.  Especially dressing in layers, staying windproof and having an emergency kit in the car.  I have only had to use my emergency kit a couple of times (I parked and then got snowed in!), so I am especially thankful that I learned this lesson early.

Eric

Derek Thille wrote:Another thing to consider is seasonality of supply availability.  By that I mean the season snow shovels are available in the big box stores doesn't necessarily jive with when an area gets snow.  Many of them have those items in a "seasonal" area and around here, the shovels are gone and the lawn mowers and such are on display well before the snow is melted (similar to trying to find summer clothing at the end of summer...shorts are replaced with parkas on display when you don't want to even be thinking about cooler weather.

To back up this point, this morning (January 23), I received an email from Canadian Tire (national chain store that now carries nearly everything but lumber and food) advertising patio furniture and BBQ tools.  We're just coming out of what has perhaps been the coldest spell of the winter so far.  Sigh.

Derek, you have a good point.  I know that whenever winter weather approaches my area, there is sometimes a flurry of shovels that are suddenly available.  However, the shovels I see at that time are certainly not the ones that I would purchase.  They are cheap, flimsy, plastic shovels that look like they will break under the lightest of show loads.

Personally, I keep a variety of shovels that are suitable for shoveling snow.  My personal favorite is an old, aluminum grain scoop.

Eric

There's a lot of good talk about how to drive in the snow up above. If you're someplace that doesn't normally get snow and you need to drive in it. Crawl your car to the nearest big empty parking lot and go do some donuts. Learn to powerslide. Learn to turn out of a skid. See how your brakes work differently. And have some damn fun! And then go be extra-careful out on the roads because your neighbors don't know what the hell they're doing.

I was feeding the animals this AM when I heard the tires spinning.  There was a delivery truck sitting on the ice on the township road going no where.  I grabbed a bucket of sand and a couple of 2x12s.

The two people in the van were pretty determined to see how deep of a hole they could dig with with their spinning tires. What is interesting is that there was bare gravel on the right hand side of the road, but for some reason the decision was made to drive on the smooth ice on the left side.

I attempted to explain the purpose of the sand and boards, but my efforts were wasted.  One of the people in the delivery truck had called their brother.   The brother arrived, hooked up the tow chain to the delivery truck’s front bumper….gunned his engine….ripped off the delivery trucks front bumper (yes, a well known commercial carrier)….the delivery truck went into a spin and ended up in a ditch at a 30 degree angle. I am pretty sure the delivery truck driver floored the pedal. The boards and sand remained untouched.

They finally called a real tow truck. I packed up my stuff and left.

I am pretty sure a major carrier had towing insurance.  Anyway, the above contains some pretty good  examples of what not to do.  And, no I did not offer hands on help.  I did not want to put myself in a position of being blamed for any damage.

Incidentally, having had 53 employees,  I can assure you that my experience has been that 100% of the time, in spite of much training, an employee will call a relative when stuck rather than an approved tow truck.

Great story John, I can just see it in my mind.