Baby, it’s cold outside.
We were blessed with winter again. Hail last night, sleet this morning, and ice on the roads. And do you see me complaining?? Nope. Not one bit. Why? Because I could be in Pennsylvania or Michigan. By the same logic, I could be in Australia and enjoying summer. Glass half empty or half full? It doesn’t matter as long as there’s more wine to fill it.
Anyway, the weather got me to thinking. Yes, sometimes the synapses fire off. Living in Texas, we tend to enjoy mild winters for the most part. But we do get our share of ice and sn*w. And that’s when we step into the Outer Limits™ because apparently three sn*wflakes can shut down the area. However, there are some steps we in the South can take to be ready for the unforeseen.
Winter Gear to Never Do Without
#5– Head covering
A hat, a scarf, anything that would keep your body heat from dissipating out through your head is necessary. Unless you like tears freezing on your cheeks. Then that’s ok.
#4– Ice scraper
Nothing worse than cracking your windshield while pouring hot water over the ice. Not good at all.
#3– Sand
In case of ice or slush, or kitty litter is good too. Also good for your enemies gas tanks. So I hear.
#2– Extra socks
Because you never know if that icy patch is solid.
#1– Blanket or throw
If ever you are stuck and need warmth, or for visiting your inlaws who think 45* F is breezy and healthy for you. You can never have too many throws. Ever.
Just a disclaimer: I am from Puerto Rico, and reside in Texas. I am more than sure EVERYONE north of the Mason-Dixon line has better advice, so please do chime in 🙂
Sithy Things 
February 6th, 2014 at 1:31 PM
Don’t you mean *extra undies* for that slip on the ice?
Gloves or mittens would be a nice addition to never be without. (Unless you want to chance your hands sticking to the steering wheel.)
😉
February 6th, 2014 at 7:09 PM
Gloves are a must, but this is a list of stuff to keep in the car as just-in-case measure 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 2:13 PM
ultra-plush blankets are $20 at wally world. 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 7:10 PM
Dude, I totally know 😀
February 6th, 2014 at 2:42 PM
“I am more than sure EVERYONE north of the Mason-Dixon line has better advice…” Aggie, they’re from NORTH of the Mason-Dixon line. If they were all that smart, they’d be from the proper side of that line, not north of it.
Let the flaming begin! 😀
The best way to deal with winter weather is to not be where it is. If that is impossible, the second best way is to hibernate. If that is not possible, then you improvise, overcome, adapt, and bitch a lot. 😉
February 6th, 2014 at 7:10 PM
I’m good at that third option 😉
February 6th, 2014 at 3:52 PM
Perhaps a small medical kit (kept in glove compartment, or other available/easily accessible space). If you can still get one of those “space blankets (the kind which fold up to the size of a paperback) and keep that in the car too….for those times when you are literally stuck in the car…and you either can’t or don’t want to leave same….but it’s getting cold (or colder still) out…and your gas is running low. It will keep you warm. A cheap pair of (disposable) sunglasses….helps cut down on the glare of the sun off the snow, while driving (after the storm has passed). Unless you have “transition lenses” on your glasses….or if you normally don’t wear them…they will come in handy.
February 6th, 2014 at 7:11 PM
Awesome advice, thanks 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 5:04 PM
Bag of kitty litter for traction (if needed), and a bag of sand in the back of the truck to add weight and keep the rear wheels going in the same direction as the front wheels.
February 6th, 2014 at 6:07 PM
ice cream salt (if you bought it this past summer)
a thermos full of hot soup or stew or coffee
one or two blankets, in case you get stuck and have a long wait for a tow truck.
maybe a set of insulated coveralls.
You want as many layers as you can get, especially if you have to drive a long way. Since most accidents occur within 25 miles of home, perhaps you need to move to a safer place. 😀
February 6th, 2014 at 7:12 PM
Moving to Aruba sounds great right now!
February 7th, 2014 at 4:03 PM
Aruba, Jamaica,
ooo, I want to take you,
Bermuda, Bahama,
come on pretty mama,
Key Largo, Montego,
and so on, and so forth.
You should talk the Colonel into taking some leave time and head for the Carribean
February 7th, 2014 at 5:16 PM
Great….now I have an earworm…. GAH!!
February 6th, 2014 at 7:12 PM
Sand works for traction as well, and for weight. WINNING!!
February 6th, 2014 at 7:05 PM
Layers, layers, layers. And if you are a purse carrying sort, be sure your phone is in your purse securely and the strap is hooked through the seat belt. That way when you are in a rollover on ice accident, your ID will be findable if you are unable to communicate and if you can, and you need help, you can get to your phone. Either that or your purse will hit you in the head since it’s tethered close to you and knock you out so you don’t know you are cold and freezing to death. 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 7:13 PM
See, this is the kind of advice that should come on a car sticker above the visor 😀
February 6th, 2014 at 7:58 PM
If you’re in a location where you could get trapped in snow for hours, a candle. Yep, a plain ol’ candle gives enough heat to keep people inside the car from freezing in most cases. (A tip given to me by an old Red Cross acquaintance years ago.) Fortunately, you would have to work really hard to get stuck that badly in this vicinity. 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 8:04 PM
Really? A candle? Duly noted!!
February 6th, 2014 at 9:53 PM
Or, if you are trapped in a car with a yowling wife and two noisy children, their energy and hot air alone can keep the windows defrosted.
Stick with the candle or bring earplugs.
February 6th, 2014 at 10:45 PM
I’ll pack both, just in case 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 8:51 PM
Keep a grain scoop in the trunk. It’s the King of snow shovels.
February 6th, 2014 at 10:43 PM
You have first hand knowledge, right?? 🙂
February 7th, 2014 at 9:27 PM
Many decades of it.
February 6th, 2014 at 9:46 PM
Being in Vegas snow & ice is never really a threat. However I DO have a bug-out bag in case of Something Very Bad in the back. Some items y’all might consider: a backpack with medical kit, complete change of clothes, water, protein bars, fire making tools (not just a lighter) dryer lint, wide brimmed hat, boots, the space blanket mentioned previously, paracord, waxed thread, military folding shovel, flashlight, pencil, notebook, hatchet, pepper spray and of course a machete. Also in the car at all times: two $25 rolls of dollar coins, some silver coins, Leatherman multitool, a bag of tools, other knives, a bunch of bungee cords, and last but not least, a two person tent. I’m sure I’m forgetting some stuff.
I should probably get some flares too. Hmm, definitely some fishing line also. And a small pole with hooks and whatnot. Hell, a small fishing kit would probably be good. Yeah, it’s a desert but there’s Lake Mead not too far off. Another radio and spare batteries of various sizes would be good too. Well, once you get started on a BOB collection there’s no end of stuff you can add to it. Ooo! Toilet paper!
I’m sure this sounds a bit much, but it all fits in a nifty niche under the back compartment of my RAV 4 almost seemingly designed for exactly this kind of stuff. Best to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it, yes?
February 6th, 2014 at 10:44 PM
Well said! 🙂
Also, I didn’t add the first aid kit because EVERYONE should have one already 🙂
February 6th, 2014 at 10:05 PM
Gloves, Sith. Gloves. The first time you have to do anything out there you learn that one but the worst is filling up your car with gas. If there is a good wind chill lack of gloves will make it impossible to grip your keys well enough to start the vehicle.
The second thing you learn is the Penguin Shuffle to avoid spills on the ice.
Third thing, if you are a guy, is that peeing into the wind is bad for many more reasons beyond the one covered in the old adages.
Fourth. And last. As Nicole said, many layers as you can stuff under your IglooWear(tm) Parka. I actually like to have a second jacket nearby just in case.
Luckily it hasn’t been -18F like a month or so ago. Just -10F, which is hardly worth running out and dancing barefoot in.
February 6th, 2014 at 10:46 PM
Well, like I said, gloves should already be part of your wardrobe. That’s why I didn’t include them 🙂
But yes, we should all learn the Penguin Shuffle.
February 7th, 2014 at 6:38 AM
Heating oil! I came home yesterday to find my tank empty. Bone dry. And with lows in the single digits forecasted for overnight. I called to schedule an emergency delivery. An hour later I had 250 gallons of oil. And an $1100 bill. So I’d also add money to that list, ’cause oil’s expensive. Of course, this is all my fault anyway for using dirty fossil fuels to heat my house. I should’ve installed solar panels and windmills made from recycled egg cartons. But no, I had to do things the old fashioned way. Because, you know, it actually works in the real world.
February 7th, 2014 at 7:15 AM
Heating oil??
Does not compute 😉