Got some questions for northern living

August 08, 2025, 07:38 PM

tatortodd

Winter is what you make of it. If you just shovel the driveway and clear snow off your windshield ( You need a snow brush to keep in each car) then it's pure drudgery. However, if you get into winter sports (e.g. downhill skiing, crosscountry skiing, ice skating, hockey, etc) then it's fun.

Now, for some old school levity.

quote:
Below are some letter excerpts from one couple who moved from the south to the north and tried
to continue some correspondence with some friends who stayed behind......

November 1, 1992 McCall, Idaho

Dear Jim and Mary,

It started to snow this evening about 5:00 p.m.--the first of the season and
our first ever! Jill and I took our cocktails and sat by the window watchin
the soft flakes drift down. They say no two snowflakes are exactly the same!
It sure was a beautiful experience for us.

Next morning we awoke to a big wonderful blanket of crystal white snow covering
our yard and as far as the eye could see. After breakfast I shoveled snow for
the first time in all my years--and loved it! Did both the driveway and
sidewalk. About two minutes after I got back in the house for some coffee, the
snowplow came by and covered up the driveway entrance with compacted snow from
the street. It was a service I didn't know they did up here...so I took it in
stride and shoveled it all again.

Your friend, Tom

November 10, 1992

Dear Jim and Mary,

What a wonderful winter wonderland! Every day something new happens. We got
another 8 inches of snow last night and the temp dropped to 20 below zero. I
went ahead and shoveled the driveway so I could get the car out, but before I
could open the garage door the snowplow did his thing again. It turned out OK
because the car wouldn't start anyway. So I fixed myself a drink and we
laughed it off as a "learning experience."

Regards, Tom & Jill

November 30, 1992

Dear Jim and Mary,

The car never did start so we sold it and bought a 4-wheel drive truck...just
like all the neighbors have. It starts all right, but I keep falling on my
ass trying to get into it. I guess just my feelings get hurt...and a little
belt or two takes care ot that, right? Its still cold (below zero every
morning), and the icy roads make for some tough driving. We got to town, laid
in some supplies, and bought enough booze to last for the whole winter. That
asshole in the snowplow came by while we were gone, so I had to shovel the
driveway just to get back in!

TOM

December 5, 1992

Dear Jim and Mary,

Happy "effing" holidays from God-forsaken Idaho! We're assured a white
Christmas this year because another 6 inches fell last night. One of the
neighbors calls it "white shit" and he's probably right. Forget all that crap
about snowflakes all looking different...when you've seen one, you've seen them
all! Anyway I took a couple of stiff belts from the whiskey bottle in the
bedroom and suited up to shovel the driveway. You should see me: jump suit,
boots, heavy jacket, scarf, ear muffs, gloves, nose mask, the works! Got in
another slug from the doorway bottle and went out to face the world. Must've
been cheap booze because after two shovels full, I had to piss like a Russian
race horse! I tried to go ahead and finish the job, knowing I was risking
ruining a kidney. Finally had to quit and run to the house. While I was
standing relieving myself at the toilet, I heard that fucking familiar sound...
that S.O.B. in the snowplow did it again! The only reason I was really pissed
off was that I needed to get out because the liquor cabinet was empty...again!
I think Jill has been sipping behind my back--she never offers to come out and
help me shovel! Selfish bitch!

TOM

December 30, 1992 McCall, Ida-fucking-ho!

Dear Ji and Mar,

If I ever catch that son-of-a-bitch that drives the snow plow, I'll drag his
bare ass through the white shit from here to the city limits! The temperature
up here now stays at zero or BELOW all day. It'll never fucking melt until
August! I've got to get to the liquor store before it closes. I caught the
wife today dead-off-her-ass drunk on the bathroom floor. At least NOW I know
where all the booze is going.

January 5,8,/10 199333

Dear Tim N Cary

8 more inches...if it wasn't for going to the liquor store, I'd never get out.
Must be cabin fever, or I'm going blind from all the white shit everywhere, but
even the drunken slut I married is starting to look as good as the checker at
the liquor store. Doesn't madder, it's so cold I have to tie a string with a
tag on my dick so I can find it in the morning.

you know whoo

Febiary whatever

Dear jimmers n mimsy...................aaaaaaaaaaaaa

Ho! Fucking HO! The Toilet frozenated. There's a big crack in it and when my
neighbor came by, said his was the same way and not to let the house get above
freezing until the plumber comes. He also said IF you go outside, don't eat
the brown snow. He thought it was funny but as I chased him to his car I fell
and hit my head on the ice in the driveway. He laughed and yelled that if I
didn't shovel the roof of the house the weight of the white shit might make it
cave in. Whell, fhdduck that and that asswhole in the snowpluw too! At least
the telepone is still working...I got the liquor store boy to start making
deliveries to the side door. I ain't going out until this shit melts all the
fucking way a-way! So there..... ME

Boise Mental Hospital

March 29, 1993

Dear Jim and Mary,

Thanks for taking Jill in for the duration. My lawyer says I should be out in
two years or less if my therapist says OK. In perspective all this could have
been avoided it that cocksucker snowplow driver hadn't come by asking for a
donation to some charity. Luckily his doctor testified at my trial that his
rectum had not been permanently damaged by the handle of my snow shovel. The
charge of arson, too, could have been prevented...but when that neighbor told
me about the snow on the roof, I took a couple belts to clear my head, and I
figured out that a fire would definitely melt some of that white shit...

My therapist tells me that all of this is the result of circular thinking, but
I still smile as I think of that guy's asshole. I'm supposed to feel sorry for
the owner of the liquor store. Since we left, the bank foreclosed on his new
house, and the Cadillac dealer repossessed his new car. Even the kid who
delivered for him quit because he wasn't making his $150 a week in tips anymore.
Tough shit!

When I get out of here, I'll tell how I REALLY feel about Idaho!

TOM

August 08, 2025, 07:51 PM

OttoSig

I missed a couple posts. I’ll look into those shovels TT.

August 08, 2025, 08:09 PM

ridewv

quote:
Originally posted by tatortodd:

....Now, for some old school levity.

LOL!

Do you have a FP or wood stove? If so load up on firewood now.

August 08, 2025, 08:48 PM

armored

Talk to your neighbors, they already know the ins and outs.

I run synthetic oil in everything,it does not get thick like dino oil when its cold.Use the oil weight recommended by the manufacturer.
Your close to the Lake so the Winter temps are usually tempered but you may experience more Lake effect snow.Rather than spend a fortune on snow removal equipment I would investigate a neighbor kid to shovel your walk ways or a landscaping service to do snow and lawn care. A couple GOOD snow shovels are all you need, and ice melt. By the time you invest in lawn care equipment and snow removal power tools you could pay for the landscaping service unless you plan on staying in that house for years. Especially if your schedule is not certain all the time.

The last few Winters here in Chicago have been a breeze, hardly any snow and only about a few weeks of Very cold weather, the Weatherman love to build up the doom and gloom by focusing on wind chills NOT what the actual temp is.

I would focus on emergency situations during the Winter like power outages from ice or snow. You don't want to get caught with no power to power your house especially the furnace. Frozen water pipes that burst are no joke.

Don't over think it, your NOT in North Dakota, your closer to Kentucky weather.

Welcome to the Midwest.

August 08, 2025, 08:52 PM

mark60

It got cold enough in Buffalo that at times my dogs looked uncomfortable standing on snow and ice. I started using Mushers on their paws and they seemed a lot better and didn't drag as much snow into the house.
https://musherssecret.com/

August 08, 2025, 09:35 PM

MikeinNC

I learned to flip your windshield wipers so they are pointing out/or lever them outward and not laying on the glass, then you can just use a push broom to clear snow off the windshield.

I had a neighbor who draped a blue tarp over the roof covering the windshield and rear glass, then he just took it off and it removed the snow-but we didn’t get snow often in western NC

one thing dad did when we moved from Fla to WNC was to make an underside car spray device. He took a length of pvc, drilled tiny holes in a line and connected a garden hose fitting to it and a cap on the other end so he could wash the salt off the underside of the trucks. Salt will quickly eat up a cars frame.

August 09, 2025, 06:59 AM

farman

quote:
I learned to flip your windshield wipers so they are pointing out/or lever them outward and not laying on the glass, then you can just use a push broom to clear snow off the windshield.

Don't forget windshield washer fluid made for freezing temps.

August 09, 2025, 07:13 AM

mark60

Remote starter for the car. If you don't already have one, get one put in. Not so much to warm the car but to defrost the windshield so you don't have to scrape or if it's too thick to scrape, sit in the car while it softens.

August 09, 2025, 07:34 AM

taco68

Not sure how far up north you are! Lot of good info so far here. I live in northern Minnesota and have a wee bit of experience. If you park outside, look into a block heater for your vehicle. Most homes are built to withstand significant snow loads. Backup generator to run furnace and a couple of things. I have a Honda EU2000 that I keep in the basement and ready to go(And yes, I do move it outside when in use). My furnace has a switch I flip with an extension cord that I use with an outlet that does not use current power supply.

As for heat, someone mentioned a woodstove. If you don't have one, or too much work, look into some type of backup heat in case your furnace goes out. Be wary of electric plugin heaters (not sure how old your house is). I have a basement with a woodstove that runs most of the winter but cannot keep everything warm when it is really cold and windy.

Also, I have one of these for the main level, https://www.mrheater.com/18-00...-cabinet-heater.html Used mine for a week this spring when my main furnace went out, worked like a dream along with the woodstove. Also, have used this heater in my fish-house for years without an issue.

Pretty much covered the most important things!

August 09, 2025, 10:14 AM

V-Tail

quote:
Originally posted by mark60:

Remote starter for the car. If you don't already have one, get one put in. Not so much to warm the car but to defrost the windshield so you don't have to scrape

Get a windshield cover. It makes the morning routine much easier.

August 09, 2025, 10:16 AM

V-Tail

quote:
Originally posted by taco68:

block heater for your vehicle.

Excellent suggestion. Keeps the engine at a reasonable temperature for cold morning starts.

August 09, 2025, 10:21 AM

old rugged cross

as far as snow shovels go. I like more of a flatter style. I also like to put like a paint roller extension pole on the shovel handle with a couple of hose clamps to extend the handle another 4' or so. I find it really helps with leverage and for me really increases the effectiveness of the shovel.

August 09, 2025, 10:30 AM

2Adefender

Get a good ice scraper for your windshield. Your credit card won’t work very well. There will be times when you don’t use a cover.

August 09, 2025, 10:53 AM

MaSigchist

Ice-scraper with extended handle and brush for car - kept IN the car.
-25 windshield de-icer - gallons on-hand if you drive a lot.
Ice-Melt or rock salt for ice on walkways.
Backup heat source.
Always keep a few days of food (for you and pets) in the house.

August 09, 2025, 10:57 AM

lbsid

You will have several different styles of snow shovel if you're doing it right.

Stay off the road after the first significant snowfall. That is when everyone
learns to drive in snow again.

As reflex/deflex said earlier, don't have your foot on the brake during turns.

Go find an empty parking lot to practice sliding around if you've never driven
in snow.

Slow down, Most problems occur because people are driving too fast for conditions.

August 09, 2025, 11:08 AM

SPWAMike0317

quote:
Originally posted by mark60:
It got cold enough in Buffalo that at times my dogs looked uncomfortable standing on snow and ice. I started using Mushers on their paws and they seemed a lot better and didn't drag as much snow into the house.
https://musherssecret.com/

I tried the boot approach with a few of my dogs. It didn't go well. I suspect the boots need to be part of puppy training. That said, Musher's Secret worked and my dogs liked it. It's a wax that minimizes the snow buildup on their paws. One applies it to the pads and any fur around the pads. All of my dogs were OK with the application of the wax. There is a secondary benefit. I live in PA where road crews SALT the roads. Musher's Secret minimizes the salt on paws and I would use a wet towel to clear the salt after every walk. While we didn't walk in the street, we did cross a few streets and the salt isn't good for dog paws (or people, cars, shoes...)

August 09, 2025, 11:41 AM

Fly-Sig

Some dogs do fine in the snow, others get snowballs in the fur between their paw pads. If they get snowballs, they are unhappy.

Road salt can be harmful to their paws.

For both reasons you may want booties. We will be trying them this year for our new dog. In the past, I've never had a dog that kept all 4 booties on for an entire walk. Some brands seem to have better ideas these days. I'm going to buy from RockyMountainPawProtection.

There are various paw balms which can help protect their paws from salt. Like chapstick but for their feet.

As far as your roof, it should be good to go in terms of weight of snow unless you get absolutely buried in multiple deep snowfalls. But as someone else posted, the big threat is an ice dam at the edge. The snow will melt from the underside as heat from the house penetrates up through the roof. Snow or ice in the gutter will block the runoff and ice forms at the lower edge of the roof, blocking further runoff. That runoff backs up under the shingles and does a lot of damage to the roof and can leak into the house doing a lot of damage to your ceilings.

You may have to put down salt on your driveway or sidewalks. There are a variety of kinds of salt, some of which are less destructive to concrete.

Your best strategy is to clear the snow before you drive or walk over it. If you don't, the packed down snow can be very difficult to get up later, and will probably turn to glare ice.

Seriously consider getting micro-spikes for your winter boots for clearing the snow from your driveway. Falling on ice is a lot easier than you think. I gave myself a good concussion last winter by being stupid and not wearing my spikes that morning. Despite being athletic and active, it completely took me by surprise when I went down.