It's time to get ready...

   It's time to get ready... for the next big snow storm. Winter seems to have arrived a bit early this year as a number of  storms have been traveling across the country like fast moving freight trains. Those of us who live in Maine, that is north of the Kittery Bridge, come to expect the 'expected' and the 'unexpected' when it's winter weather related and this year appears to be no exception.

   Fortunately, most of the storms to date have worked their way across the country to the east coast, turned north and before crossing into Maine, have made a sharp right turn out to sea. I have enjoyed watching the news reports and pictures of snarled traffic in Washington D.C. or the thousands of people stranded in the airport in Atlanta.

   There has been a bit of snow to date, but it appears that other parts of the country have been “harder hit”. I love that description...”hard hit”. I suppose that implies there can be a “soft hit?” But I am sure that before long we will have our share of severe wintery weather. In fact, the weather forecasters on the local television stations are predicting a storm this weekend ...so I guess it's time to get ready.

   I have already started up the snow blower once this Fall and it seems to run fine. It has been around for a few years, but as they say...”nothing runs like a Deer.” I know that at some time I will need to get a newer model, but this one works fine for now, so...”if it ain't broke, don't fix it!”

   The snow shovels are now by the front and back door, ready to cut a small, but narrow path for the dog to take his early morning or evening walk to the nearest tree. While it appears he doesn't mind the snow, a bit of a path helps him get moving the the right direction.

   In the garage are two bags of snow and ice remover. Over the years, I have used everything from rock salt to sand, depending upon what was available at the time in the store, but now, with the dog, something 'pet friendly' is probably in order.

   It is amazing just how expensive it is to melt snow and ice. I know that you can use kitty litter on ice to keep from slipping, but then, what do you do with it after the ice is gone? Pray there are no cats in the neighborhood I guess.

   Often the electric power will go out during a major storm. No power, no lights, no heat. In the past I have used a wood stove to supply supplemental and backup heat, but have converted to two pellet stoves and they do need some type of electricity to keep operating. Perhaps one of these years I will invest in, along with a new snow blower, a generator. That way, I will be able to keep the pellet stoves operating and... check my Facebook page every once and a while to see all the funny pictures people are posting.

   There are fresh batteries in the flashlights, oil for the oil lamps, lots of blankets and some snacks, just in case I get a bit hungry.

   Each vehicle has a blanket, a flashlight, several pairs of gloves, an extra hat and a snow brush/ ice scraper combo. In the past, I have found these to be quite useful, not only for snow and ice removal, but to wave at the passing cars on the highway, hoping someone will see me and stop to help push me out of the snow bank.

   I also try to keep at least a half a tank of gas in each car and some dry gas on hand, although with all this new modern engine technology, I have heard it may not a good idea to add it to your gas tank. Fouls up what they used to call the carburetor.

   And yes, this year I have new “all weather tires,” able to run on hot steamy roads in summer or cold snowy roads in winter. Sounds like I am ready for anything!

   Well almost. I have one more stop to make and I need to be sure there are some extra ice cubes in the freezer too. It could be a long storm!
   
   PS. It's 6: AM at this posting on Sunday and the snow is already about 4". And it is sooooo quiet!