How To Hunker Down When It's Cold

I am still in the middle of a massive writing blitz so I will continue with two posts a week for a while. The good news is, I am finding some very good words in between the dribble. And I am writing rather quickly too. A rarity for me.

On Friday, at o'dark thirty, I'll be having a little knee surgery. It's arthroscopic and basically all he's doing is snipping away any torn cartilage and flushing away debris around the joint. With any luck, it should help me out a little.

For today, given the blizzards the poor north is facing, I decided to write about hunkering down for frigid weather.

If you live in the north, you know the drill. Stock up on pantry supplies, veggies, fruits and dairy. But it pays to prepare for lengthy cabin stays or something worse, like a power outage.

I don't like to suffer. Call me a wuss, but if I am stuck indoors, I don't want to feel deprived. This is especially important if you are prone to depression. You don't want to face hardship when you're already battling the blues.

This is why I always stock up on goodies. I splurge on good chocolate, alcohol, and new (to me) DVDs. Stock up on things that make you feel good.

I also make sure my house is very clean and tidy. In case of trouble, I don't want to be looking for my flashlight through a pile of laundry. A clean house also makes you feel more in control. Crazy, but true.

As an aside, I find I write more fluidly when my house is clean too. If I've got things covered it makes me feel confident that I can tackle anything else that comes down the pipe. There are no pesky brain worms reminding me the fridge needs cleaning, or the shelves need dusting.

Power Outage: If you lose power for a few hours, no biggie. Don't open your refrigerator or freezer and shut off all the lights and other electronic gadgets. You don't want to risk a surge when your power comes back.

When it's a prolonged outage, you need to move quickly unless you're willing to lose all the food in your fridge and freezer.

The longest we've ever been without power was 21 days during Hurricane Rita. Let me tell you, if you want to know what hardship and isolation feels like, turn off your power for three weeks in the middle of a sweltering heat--or numbing cold. You'll learn very quickly just how tough you are--or aren't.

Kids and Dogs: Keep them occupied. Giving them tasks and games and chewies help a lot. Idle hands (and paws) make for grumpy spawn.

Elderly and Handicapped: Check on your elderly and handicapped neighbors and family. They might not ask you for help, so make sure they're okay.

Light: Check your batteries and have a lantern for each person in the house. I keep candles for desperate emergencies only. It's important not to create undue fire risks.

Fire Hyrants: Speaking of fire danger, if you live in the city, do yourself and your neighbors a favor and keep your closest fire hydrant from getting buried in the snow. In case of fire, you don't want firefighters trying to figure out where the hydrant is under several feet of snow.

Heat: A fireplace is wonderful if the electricity goes out. But oil and electric heaters are cleaner, more efficient, and less expensive (unless you have a woodlot available for your hearth). When feasible, have multiple sources of heat. Also close off rooms so you only have to heat the most important ones.

Food: Casseroles and stick-to-your-ribs food is psychologically beneficial. I like to prepare a few things ahead of time--just in case we lose power.

Travel: Avoid going out if possible. Use public transportation if it's available.

Communication: Let people know where you are. And keep those cell phones charged. By the way, the next time you see one of those old rotary phones at a garage sale for a dollar, buy it. They work even when the power is out.

Attitude: Weather forecasting being what it is, you know when you're going to get socked. Get your mental focus on and plan accordingly.

Stay warm, eat well and make sure everyone has something to keep them busy.

Good luck, Northerners. Hope it warms up soon for you guys.

Off to make some chili and cornbread.


PS The photo I posted above is just stock art. Stop over at Dru's blog and see some really good snow pictures.