Friday 19 December 2008

Winter Perils

Toronto is getting a real blast of winter weather today: 10cm (4 inches) of snow, wind producing a frigid day to go out in: -18C (windchill) /0F. (Though this is balmy considering the frigid weather currently on the prairies. Winnipeg two nights ago had an overnight low of -38C. (-40C = -40F) Instead of venturing out I’ve decided to do some baking and listen to seasonal music.

Update 11:30pm: snowfall reported at 15cm to 20cm.

Outside my window the school bus driver got stuck trying to turn around. Spinning the back wheels like crazy. It will be interesting when he returns to find his parking spot drifted in with snow.

Every year drivers get stuck on the side street bordering my place. Most don’t have proper winter tires, or chains, or carry emergency items in the car trunk: shovel, spare gloves, thermal blanket, bags of cat litter (for ice), beeswax candle, packages of mixed nuts/trail mix, chocolate, candy; despite knowing every year there is snow, sometimes record amounts of it. They think winter radials are all they need and it’s just a short drive to the store.

Getting unstuck with horse power:



The notation with the video: “Some Floridians came by the Ski Farm for some cross country skiing but wound up in the ditch. Fortunately Max and his team of Percherons was there to save the day, and unblock the driveway. Western Maryland Backbone Ski Farm.”


Here’s slightly different version of Winter Wonderland with snow covered landscapes that I expect winter to have.



Time for hot cocoa.

21 comments:

sandra seamans said...

We're not as cold here in PA but we're gotten about eight inches of snow so far and more on the way. Stay warm!

Danielle Barlow said...

If only all problems could be sorted out with a good horse!
Wish we got snow like that here in England!

Gary's third pottery blog said...

better job than my video walk in the snow ;^)

Barbara Martin said...

Sandra, this is the weather when I drink mostly hot liquids and make sure I have a good breakfast before going outside.

Danielle, welcome and thank you for stopping by. When I worked in England, the winter of 1999 produced a huge snowfall in Scotland where I'd planned to visit relatives but cancelled. Good thing, as it took a week to clear the snow to the train station.

laughingwolf said...

what, no mulled wine? ;) lol

yeah, i hear so.ontario is really being socked in, so far all we've gotten is below average cold...

Rick said...

We had 10 inches here in Detroit today, Barbara. Lovely weather. I've been digging out off and on all day in between writing a new novel. If I'd thought of the ingredients for a good borscht, it would be a perfect evening.

I wish you a relaxing night with a good book.

Shelley Munro said...

Yikes, that sounds way to cold for me. I'm sitting at my computer in a T-shirt and shorts at the moment.

David Cranmer said...

Barbara, We are getting a lot of extreme weather in upstate NY. I had my first fender bender today, as I slid into another vehicle, on my way to Christmas shopping. I'm ok but my 38 years of accident free driving is shot to hell... Btw I enjoyed the vids you posted.

Barbara Martin said...

Gary, there's nothing wrong with your video. At least it's your very own. Besides, the town where you live in New York is really very nice.

Tony, I gave up alcohol for most part, except for the odd glass of red wine. Meds don't mix well with it. Though I have a family recipe for "Bishops" I'll post before Christmas.

Rick, I've been working on my new novella in a slightly different genre.

Barbara Martin said...

Shelley, I think I should spend winters in a warmer climate, although I do like having snow for Christmas.

David, sorry to hear about your accident, and I'm glad to know you escaped injury. Depending on who your insurance company is, most allow one accident.

Sienna said...

...and here where we "usually" have 36c weather...hot xmas, we are in jumpers??

It's only the 20th Dec and already we have had over 50mm rain, which is really appreciated!

A cool start to summer in Australia.

The Tassie Tiger, I have only ever seen a photo.

Sadly the Tassie Devil is being gravely reduced in numbers by some strange (contagious) facial cancer.

I believe Australia has the dubious distinction of losing more flora/fauna to extinction than any other country.

Even if it is technically incorrect, it's safe to say we lose far too many.

I am a member of the wilderness society, and somedays it feels like 2 steps forward, 3 steps back.

However it is indeed wonderful to be alive and celebrating such a special time with family and friends, always a privilege.

Have a great xmas too Barbara, hope the sun shines a little more to warm things up.

Pam

laughingwolf said...

look forward to the recipe, barbara :)

David Cranmer said...

Yes, I'm covered pretty well with Geico. It covers up to $50,000. if I wait another 38 years I should be ok:)

Marian Perera said...

I had to work yesterday (in Etobicoke), and it was fun watching the snow swirling outside the big window from the fourth floor.

It wasn't as much fun waiting in the middle of a huge drift for a bus that was about twenty minutes late, though. My feet went numb. Fortunately my landlady keeps the house centrally heated and once I got home I was cosy warm with a cup of tea.

I used to live in the Middle East and in warm states like Texas before I came to Ontario, so this is quite an experience.

BernardL said...

Two very good perspectives.

On a happy note, the polar ice caps are no longer melting and arctic ice is increasing at record rates. Perhaps the global warming scam will finally end this winter. :)

Charles Gramlich said...

Lana will be crowing today about moving south. lol.

Barbara Martin said...

Pam, the last we had 36C was in July.

I'm glad to hear you are interested in conservation. Everyone who helps is making a change for the planet.

This is a special time of year where goodwill and cheer influences others. All the best, Pam, over the Christmas holidays and in the New Year.

Barbara Martin said...

Tony, after you make the recipe, please don't drive anywhere. Its quite potent and a great drink to have when miserable with a bad head cold.

David, good to hear.

Marian, welcome neighbour, I'm in south Etobicoke.

Dress in layers: preferably cotton close to the skin and a wool sweater on top. These trap the heat better than polyester. Wear wool or wool blend socks in your boots. And always wear a hat, as you can lose up to 60% of your body heat without one. If you'd like more tips send me an e-mail (see profile).

Barbara Martin said...

Charles, that's okay, I can happily go for walks in the cold for Lana. It was quite nice today: sunshine, crisp cold air, -13C with a windchill making it feel like -20C plus the humidity. I was all bundled up in my downfill coat that goes below my knees and has a nice fur-lined hood. And the snow was crunching underfoot. Ah, winter.

Anonymous said...

Walking in a winter....
Christmas Dico Snow, I love !
Thank you very much to share.
François.

Barbara Martin said...

François, glad you like the music. Do you have snow where you are?