Crumbly Acres Sidewalk!

Crumbly Acres December weather was more snowy than in the past few years. It's the sudden change from rain to snow that causes issues. We have the infrastructure for both snowy and icy weather events. If only we all used what is available. 

 

We knew we'd be getting ice rain last week. This is what Joe Brian brought me: 

I worked on the sidewalk after the storm. A layer of ice was treacherous, so I scattered some Alaskan Pet Friendly Ice Melter ('safe for paws and concrete') JB had brought home. 
I used the entire container! But it worked. You can see the pellets melt a circle around itself.

"Pet friendly' it says, but the squirrels and birds were going near it. I hope they didn't eat any. It sure looks like food. 

We had about a cm of snow on top of the ice and pellets. That helped with walking.

You may well 🤣laugh, but I spent a half hour looking for this tool↓. It was my dad's and I've used it a lot. I'd forgotten I spray painted it red! Poor Joe looked for me, too. BUT I FINALLY FOUND IT! The ice was brittle and just snapped when I banged it. Whew!

That looks much better.

These are my snappy boots. They have cleats they you flip on or off on a hinge. I bought them in 2020, on sale 50% off, last pair size 9 for $90. I cannot tell you how many times they have saved me!

This year I had to glue them, as the red shoe was pulling out of the black sole. So far, so good! I've had some clients with icy sidewalks, and they are terrific. I've had 41 clients since 2009 when I began to volunteer and do respite. If only I could put these on the car, I'd be set!

 

What did we wake up to Jan. 1st? Another 6.5 cm snow.

We went back at it. It seems as if Joe's Rotator Cuff injury is finally better.

It's not so bad when the sun comes out!

My trusty snow blower was no match for the end of the driveway. It is frozen solid.

I toodled on down, past the trailcam. 

Whoopsie! Someone blew snow on it. You can see the deer tracks around it.

That was the last photo the camera took↑. I'll have to take it in for repairs. SIGH. It's the lens at fault, as the other lens works for the camera.