Friday, 2 January 2026

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. 

16 comments:

Tom said...

...this winter is like the winters of the past.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari OM
That's a lot of work... then again, who needs a gym with sidewalks to clear! YAM xx

Leslie's Garden said...

I'm exhausted just thinking about all you have to do when it snows. Keeps you young, I suppose! I like the red boots, they match your red tool, lol. Stay warm (If you can, lol).

Anvilcloud said...

We have a tool like that, and we have used it already this year.

Congrats to JB’s healed rotator cuff. Mine seem to resist healing. 😩

B. Rogers said...

Great looking boots. I wonder what kind of glue you used...since I've got a pair of shoes where the heel has come away from the sole. I tried E-6000 and it just split apart again.

Jeanie said...

You two be careful on that ice and snow! But the walk looks great -- well done. Yes, I've been using the ice melter too. It work! I loved all the photos and very glad to hear Joe's rotator cuff is well on the mend. I've been through that surgery and it's no fun, a long healing. So, yey!

RedPat said...

You have ad a lot of wintery weather already with still months to come.

tz_garden said...

You really do an incredible amount of work on the snow & ice. Your boots looks like the perfect tool for the job. As does the "hoe" thing from your Dad. Both red!

This N That said...

Ice and snow aren't much fun!!! Be careful out there..

Mary Kirkland said...

I hope you can get your camera fixed. When I see pictures like this I am so glad we don't get snow too often. That seems like a lot of work.

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Beautiful snow photos, Jenn!

Christine said...

Oh no hope you fix it soon!

DrumMajor said...

Keep wearing those cleats! So, would the camera show you WHO blew the snow on to it? Linda in Kansas

Red said...

I wore cleats today as it's very icy.

Val Ewing said...

That was a lot of work. I have YakTraks I toss on my boots. We don't have sidewalks, but I do spread dirt from the shed along with hay chaff over the areas that get icy here.

DeniseinVA said...

You need a good pair of boots to withstand all that snow, keeps you dry and warm. A lot of clearing of snow too and you have a handy tool to help. I hope you have no back aches after that lot but I suspect you do.