It took me over an hour yesterday to dig out the snowbank from in front of the garage. This morning, I'm taking the car out to the burbs. It continued to snow all day yesterday and now we've got a good foot and a half on the ground. I'll be taking it slow and steady this morning, but it should be alright as all the major arteries have been cleared. I have to put a shovel in the car too. People keep giving me more information on winter driving preparation. Apparently, you need a shovel because if a snowplow decides to come by, there will be an impenetrable bank of snow to dig your car out of. Also, if you do get stuck, you need to have provisions inside the car in case rescue is long in coming. A blanket, candle, dry foods and water are all recommended. It reminds me of the three day earthquake kit we're all encouraged to have in California. (That was one of my get rich quick ideas way back when, to market earthquake preparedness kits, but the idea never went past the paper sketches and dreams of riches. Eventually, others put the idea into practice, and presumably got rich.) Right now, I'm writing a note and putting it on my bag so that I remember to at least put a shovel in the car this morning.
It might sound like I'm whining about the snow. In truth, I adore it. The two days of constant falling snow have created a cotton candy wonderland. The wind sculpts the snow into patterns that remind me of the topography of distant planets. Whole cars are completely covered mounds with only the side mirrors sticking out like pimples. Sidewalks have become corridors. Roofs look like gingerbread houses. Tree branches festooned in white hang low as if bowing to passersby. The people of the city are bonded by the universal experience of a Montreal winter, the snow is on everyone's lips. I even enjoy the rhythmic workout of shoveling the snow, feeling new muscles engaged and seeing the new pathways I've etched. Snow is quite simply divine. (Remind me I wrote this in March, will you?)
27 comments:
It sounds like great fun, TW. You paint quite a picture.
Still, an HOUR? Sounds like great exercise. But what about when you have to get to work?
Stress!
I just watched that video of the pick-up truck stuck in the snow.
Funny shit.
You sound so zen. In truth, I love the snow, too. When there's snow on the ground, the light through the windows is so much brighter, different than summer sunlight.
Drive safe... it's not you, but the rest of the insane Quebec drivers you've got to watch out for.
I too love snow and winter... it creates the perfect set up for cocoa and cuddling.
Be cautious of the other drivers though, they're usually the ones that cause the problems as they think they can handle the snow and ice.
-C (http://christopherc.wordpress.com/)
eww! I hates the snow. We just got our first few inches last night! Cheers!
The weather outside is spiteful, inside it's so delightful, no matter how cold it grows, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. I think the person that wrote this song lived in Miami.
Torn, you need some salt or cat litter too in case you drive over ice or packed snow and the wheels start spinning. Ed (have you considered changing to wordpress?)
Montreal is such a fantastic winter city. You have the right spirit about the snow.
A candle and not a flashlight? Seems old fashioned :-)
You are welcome to your feet of snow. I can appreciate a few inches (hah) but have no need to battle through huge drifts. Glad you are enjoying it.
May I suggest one of those "thingies" that is a combination flashlight and radio that does not require batteries (you crank a magneto for a minutes or so and it generates enough power to run the LED flashlight and/or radio for quite a while)? We have one in our cars. We got them locally on sale for about $10US. I find them quite handy. No batteries means that when you need it you do not need to worry about dead batteries - or if you forget about them, batteries that have leaked and ruined the item. Likewise candles melt in the heat if you forget about them.
A shovel is a good item. I might also suggest a bag of coal ashes/sand/even kitty litter to assist with traction.
I'm with you. I adore winter, and if you take precautions you can deal with the issues it brings.
Drive safely, though, my friend! Drive safely!
Yeah, like lemuel said... I have one of those things; it's got a flashlight, a radio and even a charger for your cell phone, and it's all crank operated (the handle, not the person).
Not that I'm worried about snow, mind you; I'm still in Earthquake Land.
Why am I continuously misspelling my name?
Your description is exactly why I love snow too!
....unless I have to drive in it...like this morning...ugh...
HUGS....
Snow lover here, too. Just be rid of it on December 26th. We got our snow storm yesterday and overnight. UGH! "...feeling new muscles engaged." Hmmmmm...
Winter. The glue that binds us as Canadians. Snow doesn't care if you're male, female, black, white, gay, straight, Conservative, Liberal, rich, poor, we all have to shovel it, drive in it, and deal with it. It's what makes makes us special, I think.
Throw some of those little heat packs in your car too. In case of a breakdown, you never know how cold it will be before you get help. A blanket too.
Montreal, much like Minneapolis, is a city that understands winter and is as prepared as any place can be for heavy snow. I find Montreal's underground city such a smart idea.
Here in the southern US, we get snow on such an infrequent basis that we don't know how to respond to it. If a few flakes fall, schools and businesses begin closing, and the grocery stores become packed ... even if no accumulation is forecast.
My winter driving preparedness kit also includes a flashlight, water, thermal blankets, kitty litter, a shovel and chocolate. I have spent way more time shovelling/pushing other people out than myself.
I am with you about the beauty of snow. I, too, marvel at the alien shapes created, and also how even the ugliest places are transformed in winter dress. (I will remind both of us in March.)
Snow sounds like a challenge, and as with most challenges, one's attitude greatly determines how easy or hard the circumstance. Up to a point. Getting snowbound in your vehicle for 2 days would tax anyone's definition of "fun."
I'd say NO to the candle. Matches or a lighter, sure, but for a light source use a flashlight instead of a candle, and let me tell you why. A flame uses oxygen, and if you are stuck in a confined space you don't want a flame competing with you for the available oxygen. You also don't want to risk lighting the car's upholstery on fire.
If however you have an area where you can start a fire to keep warm, by all means use the lighter or matches to start a fire. But not inside your car. Burning headliners stink. Melting plastic really stinks.
give me sun, a warm climate and humidity any day... it's better for the skin and saves a ton on moisturizer... i'm really 110...
The only advantage I could see about the candle is that it might put off a minimal amount of warmth.
I totally forgot how to drive in snow. For some reason, snow keeps feeling like a big surprise.
We got our first few inches of snow last night, not enough to bother with a shovel. No big deal, except my son is taking driver's ed. right now. Yikes. I have the Winter Kit in my car: blanket, shovel, kitty litter.
I grew up in southwest FL, where it snowed ONCE in 30 years. In the trunk: beach towels to cover the front seat and steering wheel so I could drive without burning myself. I guess there's a trunk kit for every location.
I like snow; it's the great equalizer. Everything looks beautiful under a layer of snow. And, yes, I'm the one who shovels the drive.
I agree with Java... candles are a problem. I'm told, but can't confirm it, that candles are all toxic, as they burn paraffin, which is toxic.
Makes sense to me. The hand crank radio/light/cell phone charge makes a lot of sense.
Or just take the Metro.
The candle or small can of Sterno have to be used carefully, but are for melting snow in case you run out of water, not for a light source.
Yep, don't miss the wwhite stuff.
I love Chicago, but got to say I rather have the rain here in SolCal anytime of the week.
I absolutely abhor snow and ice.
It's obvious you were a Californian, you've never actually had a winter with snow. Let me tell you that after 43 winters in my lifetime I've seen enough.
I want to move to a warmer place.
I thought of you on Wed as the snow was falling here in DE. Just a dusting-to-an-inch, they said for us, but I still thought of you brave ones in the great white north, which must be really REALLY white right now.
Mark :-)
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