Cold weather survival

By Shirley O'Kealey

9:45 a.m. It is now two days after the devastating storm in the USA particularly New York and the surrounding area.

Our Maple Tree out front still has its yellowed leaves. They are falling with any waft of air and are flooding my lawn. It has finally stopped raining and I was able to carry our Blue Box of recycled plastics to the curb. It is relatively mild today at 12 degrees C. We keep our thermostat at 63 F; 65 if company comes. It has been a dark, overcast and gloomy time. To combat this, I baked cookies last night and just finished eating two for breakfast. Being very plain oatmeal, I iced them liberally first. I also cooked up a half dozen apples that were lying on the counter, adding a bit of brown sugar and plenty of cinnamon. I like applesauce with yogurt or ham or ice-cream.

Next week, Nov. 4^th, we will return to Standard Time and will really be in the dark when we retire, for these are the short days of Autumn. I have difficulty with this as I love a sunny day and am sad when the day is dark. In the past I set up fun times for every week in January, the worst month of gloom as there is no Hallowe'en nor Christmas nor even Valentine's Day for which to prepare.

So who will rake up those leaves on the front lawn? Shan does nothing in the yard - feels it is MY area, but it is a BIG tree and we are responsible for keeping the sidewalks clear. And every year, I am getting older. I know she believes the exercise is good for me. The good news is we will have more light in the living room when all the leaves are down.

I hung suet on the tree for the birds. Three crows attacked the little basket setting it swinging as they tried to get a foothold long enough to jab at the seeds. Starlings came soon after and cleaned up the bits fallen on the grass and after them, sparrows pecked their fill, clinging in comfort to the feeder. Birds, (as we do) require fat in the winter.

Well! Now the news is all about preparedness for disaster. Two men I know who have never given it a thought before (blindly and willingly accepting their fate in whatever is to come) have now begun asking questions. I gave them a few of the basics (in case they are unlucky enough to survive the "Big One.") eg. Collect and store in a safe place: candles and flashlights, matches in a waterproof case, blankets, food, can-opener. I recommend canned beans, sardines, salmon, nuts and milk. Canned spaghetti and fruit are nice, too. Also have ready: water, rubber boots, raingear, plastic dishes, an alternate source of heat in case of power failure, a crowbar (I can't find mine), first-aid kit. A short course in first aid is a very good idea and I have a wind-up radio that has never been used. A tarp or a tent is a good thing. Medications, vitamins, eyeglasses, watch, keys, ID even copies of such things as life insurance and title to your home. The list goes on. Make copies of important documents and photographs you wouldn't want to lose. Have gas in your vehicle. Always keep it at least half full and have MONEY. Put together a "Grab and Go" Bag and keep it handy as you do a flashlight. Be like the firemen and have your shoes nearby at night. We had experience with this when we lived in the Shuswap and forest fires raged all around us for 30 days. I have a suitcase under my bed with the documents and precious (to me) items.

More good news is that after December 21 or 22 the days start getting longer. That really cheers me up.

I don't like winter. I don't like cold, snow, chilly rooms, frozen water pipes, slippery sidewalks, icy road conditions, freezing winds, blizzards, the "flu and other dangers of the cold. I don't even like movies about winter, like Dr. Zhivago in Russia with Julia somebody, that mega-movie with them huddling in an unheated mansion in midst of the bitter cold. Perhaps the only things I like about winter are icicles, the fatter and longer, the better. I especially like them in springtime when they go drip--drip---------drip

IN QUEBEC they know how to have great times in winter. They join with family and friends to cook wonderful meals; they eat, drink, hang out in the pubs singing and cavorting with the Irish, go to church for quiet and repentance and they get OUTSIDE to skate and ski and be jolly with Mr. Bonhomme - their snowman. We could learn from the French in Quebec how to enjoy our winters!