I’M JUST CURIOUS: Worries to colors

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by Debbie Walker

Two women, Mary and Sue met on the sidewalk and started chatting. Mary is pretty well settled in her life; Sue is in the middle of a lot of life changes and is in fact, troubled. She decided to share some of her confusion with Mary. After talking for a while Mary told Sue, “I know just what you need to do, it’s helped me in the past”.

So Mary gives Sue an address of a woman she had met with on several occasions in the past. Mary explained that this lady lives on the corner of a well-established street and some of her neighbors are not very happy with her. They call her Mrs. Flowers because her landscaping is “over-run”, in their opinion, with flowers growing everywhere.

Mary said there was no need to call first, in fact, she didn’t know if Mrs. Flowers even had a phone. Just knock on her door with a plant in your hand and introduce yourself. She will welcome you inside with a wave of her hand.

She thought this was all rather strange. She was to go to this woman’s house, not even knowing her real name and just knock. Well, Mary did assure her she would be welcome.

The next day Sue went to a local nursery and bought a little flowering plant. She followed Mary’s directions to the house; she found it with no problem at all. The description of Mrs. Flowers was understated as Sue tried to take in all the different colors.

Sue took her time walking to the door, taking in all the sites and fragrances. She reached the door and tapped gently. In just a few seconds the door came open and she was greeted by Mrs. Flowers, a much older lady. She welcomed Sue into her home and put the flowers on the table. It was a smaller cottage type home and decorated with: you guessed it: Flowers.

As they walked to the living room Sue tried to take in all the sites inside this wonderful cozy home where she immediately felt at ease. Mrs. Flowers said, “Come on in, find a comfortable spot to sit and we’ll chat. Tell me what’s on your mind today”.

Sue described to Mrs. Flowers how she was going through all these changes in her life. She was recently divorced after a 40 yar marriage, her children were grown and scattered across the country, and she has just taken on a new job. She said , “I am feeling overwhelmed”.

They discussed her problems and at some point, Mrs. Flowers was referring to Sue’s problems, as opportunities. She explained that all of what Sue saw as problems, she saw them as opportunities to learn and grow with fewer limitations.

The divorce would allow her to concentrate on herself and things she might want to change. Sue had said she hated grocery shopping anymore. She found it difficult because she knew what her kids and husband would want for meals, but she had no idea what to buy for herself. It felt lonely. Mrs. Flowers explained that it was a wonderful opportunity to try new foods.

Her home felt lonely. Mrs. Flowers suggested Sue might try her hand at redecorating and please herself with her choices. At that point Sue looked around and realized she had already thought of a couple of things Mrs. Flowers had done here that she might like to try at her own home.

Sue’s new job was an opportunity to meet new people and to use her skills of running her home to operating a business. Some of the skills needed for this job were very similar to a schedule to run a business with.

Their chat had done wonders for Sue, she no longer felt overwhelmed and in fact she had things running through her mind that she was looking forward to doing with her new opportunities.

On their way to the door Mrs. Flower’s picked up the new plant Sue had brought, and her little shovel and they walked out into the yard. Mrs. Flowers dug the hole necessary for the plant. She told Sue, “Your flower represents the problems you came here with. Now they represent worries changed to colors.

As Sue looked over the yard, she realized at one time all these colors had been someone else’s worries. She walked out the driveway knowing that one thing she wanted to do was start her own flower garden.

Problems can be opportunities.
Worries can become colors
It’s all in how you look at things.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Celebrate in May (continued)

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by Debbie Walker

I am curious if anyone still does May Day? I remember it from when I was a little kid, but I hear nothing about it now. Why did we lose that one? What else have we lost?

We’re starting out with May 15th:

15 – National Choc Chip Day, Straw Hat Day.
16 – National Do Something Good for Your Neighbor Day, National Love a tree Day.
17 – National Cherry Cobbler Day, National Mushroom Hunting Day, National Walnut Day.
18 – National Cheese Souffle’ Day.
19 – National Devils Food Cake Day, Plant Something Day.
20 – National Women in Aerospace Day, National River Cleanup Day, Plant a Lemon Tree Day, World Bee Day.
21 – Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day, International Tea Day, National Talk Like Yoda Day.
25 – National Tap Dance Day, National Wine Day.
26 – National Blueberry Cheesecake Day.
27 – National Grape Popsicle Day, National Italian Beef Day.
28 – National Hamburger Day, Whooping Crane Day.
30 – National Creativity Day.
31 – National Macaroon Day, World Otter Day, World Parrott Day.

I do want to add that I got these May Days from a newspaper called Senior Voice of Citrus County. How many do you think you will celebrate?

Memorial Day is more than just a long weekend from work or school. However, that’s what you hear about on Tuesday morning. People get dressed up in red, white, and blue to enjoy their get-togethers. What gets less attention is the reason you have the time off.

Memorial Day deserves its own place on my page. The same little paper also had a title of Memorial Day Facts, and here they are:

The holiday started after the Civil War which ended in 1865. The Civil War claimed 620,000 soldiers’ lives. This made it necessary to create the first national cemetery. And over the next decade Americans started to hold their own rituals each spring to honor lost soldiers, by decorating their graves.

After World War I, it became a time to honor all who have died in all American wars. In 1971 it became a national holiday by an act of Congress. It was originally known as Decoration Day, when the emphasis of the holiday was on the memory of our soldiers who fought for us.

In May 1868 Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared the holiday be observed at the end of May. It is believed he chose that date because flowers would be blooming and ready to be used to decorate the graves.

Federal guidelines indicate that flags on the holiday be hung at half-staff. But only until noon, then they should be raised the rest of the way. There is also a Moment of Remembrance, at 3 p.m., local time, around the country.

The finish today will be some morning statements:

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.” – by Robert Louis Stevenson.

“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive, to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius.

I’m just curious what May holidays you will enjoy!! Contact me with any questions or comments at DebbieWalker@townline.org . I’ll be looking forward to them!! Have a wonderful week!

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Holidays of May

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by Debbie Walker

I have to admit that most of this column has come from a local paper here in Florida. It’s the Senior Voice of Citrus County. The most recent one was full of May days and celebrations. We’ll start out with Mother’s Day. (Miss you Mom)

Mother’s Day was made official on May 9, 1914. President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation declaring Mother’s Day an official holiday, but the idea began in 1908 when Anna Jarvis started Mother’s Day to honor her mom.

Phone calling has been the centerpiece of Mother’s Day for years, 122 million phones, with families spread out around the world.

Greeting cards are the top of the list of Mother’s Day gifts, followed by flowers, special outings, gift cards, clothing, and jewelry.

The carnation is the official flower of Mother’s Day. The tradition began when Anna Jarvis sent hundreds of carnations to her West Virginia home church to honor mothers in that congregation. That single gesture landed the carnation in the top spot as official flower of Mother’s Day. Today the colors of the frilly blooms have specific meanings – white to honor deceased mothers and red to celebrate the living.

Americans will spend approximately $31 billion this Mother’s Day. By any measure that would be a lot of flowers, dining, greeting cards and macaroni necklaces.

It is well known that Easter and Christmas yield large church attendance. Something about mom makes people want to show reverence and focus on faith and family. Many Americans will start their Mother’s Day celebration by attending church with their moms, making it the third most attended church service.

What do mom’s want most? To quote my mom with this question, her answer would be “time”. According to a survey by RetailMeNot, what mom’s want most for Mother’s Day is to dine out with family. Many moms site reasons like not wanting to cook or wanting to get out of the house. Perhaps that’s why it’s the biggest restaurant day of the year.

I don’t want to upstage Mother’s Day, but I thought I would share some Other Things to Celebrate in May, also from the Senior Voices of Citrus County.

May 1 – National Chocolate Parfait Day, School Principals’ Day.

May 2 – International Harry Potter Day, National Brothers and Sisters Day, National Play Your Ukulele Day.

May 3 – National Chocolate Custard Day, National Textile Day.

May 4 – International Firefighters Day, National Orange Juice Day, Star Wars Day.

May 5 – Cinco de Mayo, National Astronaut Day, National Hoagie Day.

May 6 – National Scrapbooking Day.

May 7 – Pilates Day, World Laughter Day.

May 8 – National Coconut Cream Pie Day, National Give Someone a Cupcake.

May 9 – National Lost Sock Memorial Day (Who knew there was a holiday for Orphaned Socks!).

May 10 – National Clean Your Room Day, National Golf Day

May 13 – International Hummus Day, National Apple Pie Day, National Miniature Golf Day.

May 14 ­­– Mother’s Day.

Hopefully I will remember to finish this next week when I have more words.

I’m just curious how you celebrate mom rather she is here or passed. Contact me with any comments or questions, or anything you want to share, at DebbieWalker@townline.org. Have a wonderful week.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Natural resources

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by Debbie Walker

I saw this quote on an inspirational calendar: “The greatest waste of natural resources are unused talents and untried ideas.”

In my opinion, the cause of such was/is usually one or a combination of the two – lack of confidence and/or money.

All of this reminds me of a friend who used to play the piano for her own enjoyment. I happened to wake up one night and heard her. I laid there and quietly listened for a while. When I got up she realized I had been listening, she stopped. I asked her why she only played when she was home alone or when the household was asleep.

The wonderful woman was in her 70s at this time. She bought the piano when she was 18. After all those years she still wasn’t comfortable playing for others. Confidence issue.

Imagine if you found out in high school that you have a talent with pottery. In fact, the sale of your high school pottery kept you in pocket change while still in school. When you graduate you lose your access to the supplies and equipment needed to continue to grow your talent. Equipment and supplies are not cheap, and you have to work now to pay for your college expenses. Money issue here.

Have you ever heard anyone break out in song and a fun-loving friend pipes up with, “Don’t quit your day job”, it was just a joke, something stupid to say. Unfortunately, the singer took it to heart and now can’t sing in any situation that would be heard by others. What a shame. Confidence undermined.

Another person uses their writing skills to write newsletters to promote their client base. Despite the positive reactions of the majority, all it takes is one person to pull the rug out from under the writer with his words of “Your writing is too hokey for our clientele”. Remember now, these newsletters have proven quite beneficial to the business, however, the writer now hears those words with every piece they write. What might they have written had it not been for that comment hanging over their head? Confidence is a real issue.

We just don’t know for sure why some are able to proceed with their passion and others fall into the cracks of what might have been.

Sometimes people have a problem supporting a friend, a child, etc., because they are intimidated by the unknown that you represent. Sometimes parents haven’t been to college and just don’t understand the process.

An intelligent child deserves to have a spot with an academic camp for the summer. Money is definitely an issue.

The writer wants to write but it is seen as being a waste of time. Who do they think will read this?

If we could put our fears behind us and just support the unknown. Sometimes an honest conversation might get the program or class, or camp needed. Talk, with teachers, guidance counselor, anyone who may know of a chance that we’re not aware of. Just please encourage, not discourage those natural resources.

I’m just curious what talents or skills you may have hidden. Have a wonderful week and contact me at DebbieWalker@townline.org with any questions or comments. I’ll be waitin’.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Passing on some of Joey’s wisdom

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by Debbie Walker

I know I have mentioned Joey Green in past columns. I have to mention him again. He has some of the best material on the market for home remedies for cleaning, for health and other user-friendly household needs.

This week I received his latest email about his books. To name a few, he has Pet Cures; Health Remedies; Clean it, Fix it, Eat It (I love this one!), Cleaning Magic and there are many more. If you like this stuff like I do you will be happy for hours while you scan the material. Then, of course, we have to share the things we learned with someone else (like I did) and I share with you.

In my e-mail this time Joey lists different uses for Bounce dryer sheets and I would like to share with you:

1. Repel mosquitoes: Tie a sheet through your belt loop, hanging from a hat, and feel free to use more than one.

2. Freshen air in your car: Tuck one in the visor or under the seat or maybe in your glove compartment.

3. Static electricity: wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep static cling out of business on your TV.

4. Remove hairspray: Do you get hairspray on mirrors, walls, or floors? Dampen a sheet of Bounce with water and wipe clean.

5. Stop thread from tangling: Not many folks use a needle and thread anymore but if you do try putting your threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce. Eliminates static cling.

6. Eliminate static from pantyhose: If you still wear pantyhose and don’t want clothes to cling, rub a damp used sheet of Bounce over the hose.

7. Prevent a sleeping bag from getting musty: When you roll it up for storage slip a dryer sheet inside.

8. Dust a Car Dashboard: A used dryer sheet will help repel dust from the dashboard.

9. Prevent Loss of Dirt: If you have a plant in a pot and see your dirt is coming out with the water, repot and put a used dryer sheet in the bottom. That will fix it.

10. Remove Pet Hair from Furniture: With a used dryer sheet wipe the area affected. The hairs are attracted, works like a magnet.

11. Prevent Musty Suitcase: If you don’t travel often, when you are ready to use luggage, it smells musty. Prevent that by leaving a Bounce sheet in it before storing.

12. Keep Cats Away from Christmas Tree: At night or whenever you leave the house during the day, put down Bounce around the tree and pick them up in morning. Bounce has an Oleander fragrance that cats don’t like.

13. Remove Chewing gum from your dryer: I have never had this problem yet… but you dampen a used Bounce sheet and wipe off the gum. Hope it works.

14. Prevent Dusty Lampshades: Rub a sheet of Bounce on the shade. It removes static electricity that attracts the dust.

15. Clean Baked-on Food from a Cooking Pan: I have used this one and it does work! Put Bounce in the pan with water and let sit overnight and then sponge clean. (also works for removing dead bugs from the front of your car).

Okay well, that’s all I have room for tonight. I’m just curious what tips you will use. Look Joey Green up on your internet for more of his ideas. Contact me at DebbieWalker@townline.org with any comments or questions. Have a great week! And thank you Joey!

I’M JUST CURIOUS: What to do with orphan socks

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A lonely sock, looking for its missing pair.

by Debbie Walker

Is your washing machine like mine? Well, it’s either the washer or the dryer. One or both of them eat socks. I even remember my mother had the same problem, so I know it’s not just mine. Well anyway, I am including some uses for the sock that’s left. I found these in my First magazine. I love this stuff!

One use for the lonely sock is to put rice in it, sew it shut. You can put these in the freezer for what my great-granddaughter calls a “cooly” for boo-boos that need the cold treatment. You could use it as a heated treatment by popping it in the microwave for about a minute. They are handy to have around. I made some for all my family.

Another use for an orphan sock is one I will have to use soon. You take kitchen tongs and put an orphan sock on each end. You spray each sock with your favorite cleaner. You use this to clean dusty window blinds.

Do you throw away those slivers of bar soap usually ignored by all. Put them in an orphan sock, tie it up and use it like a loofah. I am going to take some of those little motel bars of soaps and put in a sock. Nice and soapy.

You can also use an orphan sock, even one with a hole in the heel, for packing breakable decorations. The little extra cushion it will provide might mean a positive outcome when you decorate again.

This has nothing to do with orphan socks, but I thought it could be helpful this spring. If you have screens in your windows that look like someone cut it, you can put a couple coats of clear nail polish on the tear. Keep those Maine big winged mosquitoes outside!

Did you know that ants have a “smeller”(I like my new word)? Evidently, because I just read they don’t like lemon juice. Save your money, buy some cotton balls instead of those expensive cleaners. Soak them with lemon juice and leave them where you see their activity. It works!

If you water your plants and you see the water rolling out from the bottom of the pot, do a little fixing. You can take the plant and dirt out and replace with an old nylon, and then put all together again. It will save some of the water and won’t let any of the dirt escape from the pot.

Mud season must be coming up soon, if it’s not already there. If you want to clean mud from your clothes, let the stain dry and brush the remainder of mud off. Got any baby shampoo? Use a few drops on the stain and toss in the wash.

Baby shampoo. Have you ever made a homemade slip-slide for the children in your life. Putting baby shampoo on the running water from the hose to the tarp (that was what we used) and the kids will have a ball and no burning the eyes from any soap, no tears!

I’m just curious what ideas you might have. Share? Send any questions or comments to DebbieWalker@townline.org. I’ll be waiting. Have a great week.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: January and Garnet

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Birthstones

by Debbie Walker

A while ago I wrote about the history of the Pom-poms on hats and how at one time, they designated a person’s rank or level of power by their color.

Recently I was reading about the origin of birthstones back to Bible times in the book of Exodus. They have been traced back to the 12 unique stones that represented the 12 tribes of Israel. Once again, this history has to do with symbolism of representation.

(It’s interesting to me to look things up with Google on the internet. Once you get there you can be led in so many different sites with yet more information. Sometimes it’s basically the same information researched and written by others.)

The Origins of Birthstones on Google tells you the birthstones are typically gifted for birthdays and anniversaries. They are rooted in history, each birthstone possesses unique properties and according to some experts , specific powers.

My birthstone is garnet for the month of January, and I am still waiting for my powers!

In 1912 the National Associations of Jewelers defined the modern-day lists of birthstones, and the list has remained unchanged. Today we have three separate lists of stones for each month, ancient, traditional, and modern.

Have you ever wondered about your birthstone? January is my month and garnet is my stone. I used the Farmer’s Almanac to look up info on this subject and as usual I found what I needed.

Garnet is known for its deep red hue (the color is like in the pomegranate). It has a history of it’s healing properties and folk lore.

I didn’t know until now that the garnet can come in other colors and even blues. I haven’t seen the blue one, as far as I know. I am happy with the garnet stone.

There are many websites on the computer about the garnet, as is with all the other birthstones. I will try to follow the column with more birthstone information.

Spring has sprung and here in Florida that just means the seven or eight months of hot have arrived. One of our avid Maine readers just moved to Florida and has to adjust to it all because the heat is here! When I moved here it was at the end of a New England summer, heat there and heat here wasn’t very different. Essentially the summer just all blended together. Naturally, as soon as he arrived here his air conditioner died on his truck, and he is not liking that. I keep telling him to just think snow, it will make the adjusting easier. In the mean time he has an appointment to remedy that problem.

Recently, I figured out an answer to the spring house cleaning projects. I realized whenever I moved I seemed to have avoided a spring cleaning project of my own. This year will be no exception. By the time you are reading this I will have moved again. Maybe I just like buying or making new curtains and other fabric projects. I am not much of a Harriet Housewife for the cleaning, BUT I do enjoy sewing.

Sorry it took so long to get back. I am just curious if I will be remembered! It has been a while. Please contact me with any questions or comments at DebbieWalker@townline.org. Have a great week!

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Doggy information

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by Debbie Walker

I don’t know how many columns I have written, and I just recently realized I have never written anything about our pets. So… here goes:

I came across the most recent Reader’s Digest, and it has a great article about dogs and cats titled “What Pets Want You to Know”.

A professor from British Columbia stated that our average dogs have the mind equivalent to our 2 – 2 ½ years old child. The average dog can understand about 165 words. They are better with words about things (ex: a favorite toy) as opposed to ’emotion’ words (good dog).

Before your pup is six months old, they should have met 150 people and they suggest 50 different places (I don’t go to that many!) They should try out different environments, be familiar with different sounds and sights. Dogs that don’t, can grow up fearful and aggressive.

We all know our dogs have different barks. Our dog, in the middle of the night, alerts us to her concerns with the bark. There is no question that she is alerting us. There are also barks that tell you the dog is lonely. The barks may be a single string of barks with pauses.

Dogs also have their own version of body language; they provide you with clues as to what they want. (Ex: pawing at bottom of sofa to alert you there is something under the sofa they want.)

Dogs are very aware of your stress or tension. Many dogs will feel that tension and can in fact react with aggression. Our energies affect the people around us, don’t think for a minute it doesn’t affect your pet.

Have you ever wondered why dogs chase their own tails? It can be itchy; they can be reverting to their predatory nature, or they are just bored. It can also be a compulsive disorder.

When you come home and find your dog has made a mess and she tucks her tail and looks ashamed. She’s just afraid of your anger, guilt is not part of her makeup.

Dogs don’t feel guilt, but they do get jealous. If you have a dog, you know this.

If your dog has light colored or white hair, they have a higher chance of being deaf in at least one ear. The gene that causes the white coat is associated with deafness, just as is blue eyes.

Little dogs have shorter, more frequent dreams than the bigger breeds. This is proven by brain scanning just like with us.

There are studies that have shown some dogs can detect cancer just as there are some who know when a diabetic is going to have a problem.

For those who don’t know there are some wonderful websites of dogs and their antics as well as other animals. They can be very entertaining on these cold snow and ice filled days and evenings.

We have a dog in our house. She is a Walker Hound and Boxer mix. She has been a wonderful friend. She talks. If she wants something, she will carry on quite the conversation. I love it.

I’m just curious about your pal. I would love to hear your stories. Contact me at DebbieWalker@yahoo.com with your questions or comments. Thank you for reading. Have a great, healthy, and happy week.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Pom-pom history

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by Debbie Walker

Did you realize the Pom-poms on our winter hats have a long history? I didn’t either until I read about it in my Farmer’s Almanac newsletter today. I really enjoyed the history. There have been several purposes besides a fashion statement.

There are, of course, theories about the pom-pom history. First let me tell you the name pom-pom comes from a French word, ponpon. That translates to “bobble” which means “a small ball of fabric”. It is believed they were on hats as far back as 790 AD to the Viking Era.

A small statue of a mythological Norse God was found on a small farm in 1904. It suggests a religious or cultural connection.

The pom-pom has historical origins:

• Napoleon’s infantry’s bobbles told which regiment they belonged to.
• Hungarian Calvary regiments and Scottish Highland regiments to help distinguish rank.

By the 18th Century the floppy beret with pom-poms was really an essential Scottish piece of clothing.

In Rome, Roman Catholic clergy have worn pom-pom hats for ages, varying in colors to show their rank and job.

In South America traditional garments of men and women. Different colors signals meant marital statis.

French sailors added them to their head gear to keep from hitting their heads on the low ceilings of the ship when waters were rough.

During The Depression the pom-pom became a popular accessory. It was an inexpensive way to embellish clothing.

In the 1960s favorite band, the Monkee’s was Michael Nesmith who helped make the pom-pom famous with his hat.

Now they rarely signify anything more than a sense of fashion.

Did you have any idea those little pom-poms would have such a history?

This column may be a little short. I have an excuse. I was in a car accident two days ago. A young man has since learned that if you can’t see because the sun is in your eyes you should slow down at least if not possible to stop. However, that night he chose to make a left turn at a speed higher than he should have been going anyway and the result was him hitting my car, the front left panel, wheel and destroyed it. Knocked the front bumper and other necessary stuff off.

Oh yeah, and he also gave me my experience of my first ambulance ride. I did not like the trip. At the hospital they x-rayed and CT’ed me and sent my aching body home. Oh, and instructions to see my doctor immediately. I spent the weekend pretty much in bed. My first accident appears to be another educational experience. I wish that young man had at least said he was sorry.

I am just curious if maybe we couldn’t all be sure to be a little more careful. Any questions or comments send to DebbieWalker@townline.org . Thanks for reading and have a great week.

I’M JUST CURIOUS: Winter car hacks

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by Debbie Walker

You know I hate to do this to you, but I think it best I pass this information to you before you need it. Yes, winter is fast approaching for you. In Florida, about the only thing coming are more days the temperature is just about perfect. Our worst day here would be like one of your nice fall days.

Over the past year I have been picking up ideas to make your traveling mornings a bit easier to cope with. I wish I had known all these the past Maine winters I was part of. I pulled most of this information from my computer when I typed in winter car hacks, just in case you want to look.

Winter car hacks:

Raise your wipers at night and cover them with socks. Prevents them from freezing to windshield.

Frozen lock (house or car). Use a straw, blow on the lock to melt ice. Or use hand sanitizer. Or use a lighter to heat the key and slide into lock.

A new one to me is using shaving cream to fog proof windows (even bathroom mirror). Spray a layer on the inside of window, wipe clean. Don’t leave open containers of liquid in your vehicle overnight. They will evaporate and turn into fog or frost.

You could also use a stocking filled with cat litter to prevent frost. Just leave in car all night.

Use cooking spray on rubber edges of your car doors, keeps them from freezing. This also will work on your shovel to prevent build up.

I don’t want to insult anyone but please do not use HOT water to melt the ice on your windshield. Think ‘shattered’.

Of course, you know the value of an ice scraper, you can also use a credit card to scrape a windshield. Here’s a new one: use a plastic spatula.

Put gallon-sized freezer bag over your outside mirrors, use rubber band to secure.

Clean your headlights with toothpaste for extra brightness. (I have seen car wax make a difference, too.)

Keep a 20-pound. bag of kitty litter in trunk. This can be used for added weight to the rear of vehicle and use it to help you get unstuck. You could use car mats or even cardboard as well.

The last year I was there I used alcohol in a spray bottle. I would spray the windshield and then I would move around doing the other windows. By the time I got back to the windshield I was ready to go! I also saw in an article that three parts vinegar and one-part water works for a de-icer.

I have room here for a myth I thought you might be interested in:

Myth About Cold Weather

Is a cup of coffee or a sip of brandy a good way to warm up?

NO. Caffeine and alcohol hinder the body’s ability to produce heat. They can also cause your core temperature to drop.

Drink warm, sugared water to give your body fuel to make its own energy.

I am just curious what winter tips you might like to share. I’ll be waiting for any questions or comments at DebbieWalker@townline.org. Thanks for reading and have a great week.