Today's topic doesn't actually classify as a perk or pleasure as it's...well...NOT. But I was giving some thought to surviving winters in Canada and when I added up the items we need just to be able to drive our cars, it all seems rather ludicrous. And as I like all things ludicrous, I just had to share. Here's my list:
1. Snow boots, gloves and a toque - so you don't lose your digits to frostbite and/or die from hypothermia.
2. A snow shovel - so you can dig out your car and clear a path down your driveway.
3. Lock De-Icer - to melt the ice from the door lock so your key will fit in and you can open your car door
4. Block Heater - to keep your engine warm enough through the night so it will start for you in the morning.
5. Jumper Cables - for when you're battery is dead because you didn't use your block heater.
6. Antifreeze - keep the fluids from freezing
7. Heater/Window Defroster - for when your built-in unit just isn't enough.
8. Ice Scraper/Snow Brush - to scrape off the ice and brush off the snow.
(AND NOW YOU'RE READY TO LEAVE THE DRIVEWAY)
9. Non-freezing Washer Fluid - to wash off the slush that passing vehicals splash on your windwhield. Can also be used in place of #8, depending on the thickness of the ice on the windshield.
10. Winter windshield wipers - to try to prevent the ice from building back up on the windshield.
11. Snow tires - to prevent your car from skidding on ice or getting stuck in snow.
12. Snow shovel - (again!) - in case your snow tires just weren't enough and you end up stuck in a snowbank.
(Notice - this guy forgot his shovel but in a fine example of Canadian ingenuity, is using his hockey stick)
14. Bag of sand/salt or kitty litter (depending on personal preference) - in case the snow tires and shovel weren't enough to free your car.
15. Tow rope - in case your snow tires, shovel, and bag of salt couldn't free you from that damned snowbank.
16. Emergency Blanket - in case your snow tires, shovel, and bag of sand didn't help and there's no one around to tow you out of that son-of-a-bitch of a snowbank. Should find yourself in this predictament and you neglected to remember #1.....then you're f***ed.
Leave a comment and tell me what you think of my list.
so true, I decided last year to get a snow blower to make winter mornings easier, still have to shovel a path to the garage to get to the blower, get it started, let it warm up and then out I go, and try not to forget to have the gas can in the garage full (which i didn`t last week)so I walk to the gas station with my little gas can so I can finish blowing the driveway to get my car out. It`s not just ludacris, it`s insane, or maybe it`s just me:)
ReplyDeleteMichelle - you make me laugh! And it's not just you, I think we're all a little insane to live like this.
ReplyDeleteKara - your list is a very good reminder. It does add a lot of time to a trip to make sure that all those things are in the car. Oh, yes, you may want to add emergency food supplies and water! Almost everyone has a cell phone which is another essential, especially for winter driving.
ReplyDeleteAlberta
Alberta - you're right - I should have added emergency food supplies, water and a cell phone. The list grows!
ReplyDeleteHow about some candles
ReplyDeleteBondo - yes! and matches..
ReplyDeleteHubby would be proud of you and your list...personally I'd like some extra warm furry boots and a screw cap bottle of wine added to it to see me through a night if i broke down (obviously not if I were driving - a nice hot flask of cocoa would do)
ReplyDeletewe're out of the snow and into fog and rain - yeah!
Stay safe.
Carol
Very informative post. I absolutely love those red boots - my favourite colour and as I'm a farmer, I spend most of my time in boots.
ReplyDeleteFound you through Friday blog hop.
CJ
LOL, Hockey Stick!! We get hit pretty bad here with snow in NE Ohio, but I'm sure not quite as bad as you guys!! Luckily I think it's gonna be in the 40s next week and some of this snow should melt! Following now from Java's hop!
ReplyDeleteMichelle
http://www.heartfeltbalancehandmadelife.blogspot.com
That's AMAZING to an Aussie like me ... how do you ever fit anything (or anyone) else in the car?!?!?!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you need a visit downunder to sunny OZ where blizzards, snowstorms, sleet and ice are virtually unknown!! But we have our own list for OZ-specific hazards ...
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Carol: Yes! I forgot about the wine! Silly me...
ReplyDeleteCrystal: You see nice red boots - I see boot cut questionably low so the snow might get in!
Michelle: Finally someone commented on the hockey stick! It was my favorite part of my list ;)
Red Nomad OZ: In all honesty, I don't actually carry all those items in my car - I'm more of a 'take-my-chances' kind of gal. And Australia sound mighty nice right now.
LOL. I was telling my husband about the hockey stick story last night!
ReplyDeleteThat's AMAZING to an Aussie like me ... how do you ever fit anything (or anyone) else in the car?!?!?!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you need a visit downunder to sunny OZ where blizzards, snowstorms, sleet and ice are virtually unknown!! But we have our own list for OZ-specific hazards ...
Have a wonderful weekend!!
Michelle - you make me laugh! And it's not just you, I think we're all a little insane to live like this.
ReplyDelete