I had to get gas and I refused to drive out the one-way down the steep incline. I backed out the way I came in (it's a corner hill-top station).
I had to go to two grocery stores for presents and I was trying to be brave, but even with winter tires my car would slip and I don't have a gear to go down to when driving.
I'm sure I looked terrified as I shopped for marzipan, snow all over my coat and in my hair. I tried to call my man "COME HOME NOW!" from his church meeting but he's got the Yaris and should be OK with driving - oh, and he's from here so it doesn't freak him out like it does me. (Remember the headline: Seattle Paralyzed by Threat of Snow?)
When I got home the cat was crying complaints and I just ran in my work shoes to the fence to see if Baasha was still alive. He's old and I worry about this. He was fine, but I bet he's thinking, "NOT THIS AGAIN!" It's his 4th winter here and every single one has been a killer with regard to snow. The neighbors even admit they haven't seen anything like these last few years.
I deserve a break from this - I have to drive 40 km to work every day, I am really worried about how I'll get there.
But I had to clean the stall first. Often I don't have time in the morning. He was so good. He wanted in there so bad but he knows when I'm cleaning it he has to wait. This time he was so anxious he stuck his head in the door and I warned him "Wait!" and he backed up. He will sleep well tonight: )
Baasha did not suffer too much today in this wet slushy snow. It doesn't look like it's been snowing very long, but he dealt with rain and hail as well today, and last night.
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14 comments:
Sorry you had to drive in that.....be safe, stay warm and most of all breathe!!
I remember driving in the winter in the old beat up jalopy of a Mercedes Benz we had when we first moved to Germany...Not fun, lol, it was a 79 rear wheel that slipped and slid no matter what.
I know what you mean about the blankets. Though mine are wheatherbeeta's. We just had to move, and the horses now have a run in to share. Well, one was afraid of it, so during the worst of rain storms here, he stood out! 4 days and even though the blanket looked soaked on the outside, he stayed dry under. I was stressed out the whole time. Thank goodness he has decided its not so bad, and now goes in...
Scary. I don't do well driving in the ice or snow. Often it's because of all the other drivers who don't know how to drive in bad weather, and drive too fast or tailgating me, that makes me nervous. I feel grateful that I don't have to drive in bad weather if I choose not to.
I hope Germany has more a mild winter this year and that the days you have to drive into work the roads are clear of snow and ice.
Baasha looks like two different horses stuck together in that last photo. What a difference that blanket made to keep him dry and clean.
~Lisa
Wow-seriously a good blanket! 4 years?! Do you have a trick for washing and storing it through the summer, some way that you keep the water proofing that long?
If I thought I could get away with it I would tell everyone that only Horseware (or Bucas) blankets are allowed, please do not send anything else. I only buy Horseware for my horses.
I *hate* driving in winter weather, although I got used to it the two winters I lived in Vermont. The first winter everyone stayed VERY far away from me when they would see the Tennessee license plate on my car!
Winter fun, not, lol.
Here in the great NW it has been dry and cold. Well 30 degree cold (he he he he) It is for us!
Freezing fog, and ice on the roads here in the "Portland" area. Lots of wrecks in Gresham this morning.
I want to join our friends in Arizona! :0)
Freezing fog in Bellevue this morning, but Snoqualamie Pass was clear and DRY today. Whew. Pix on my blog soon, and my deepest sympathies on your weather. You know I'm with you on this topic.
WV: warks
A thick, pasty kind of skid-resistant stuff you put on horse's feet and shoes for sn*wy weather.
Sounds like awful weather! I get pretty used to driving in snow and I dont really like it but it doesnt scare me so much anymore. I like how that blanket lasts! Have you ever thought of getting one with a neck? I am thinking that is what I want nest time.
Hey Lytha, sounds like we have a fair amount in common: I'm an American married to a Spaniard and living in Spain, also have geeky leanings (actually named my horse after the Battlestar character, not the coffee chain) and have done some technical writing myself! Anytime you want to exchange cultural gaffes or horse stories just let me know! Oh, and I'm guessing that being married to a German you will at some point go to Mallorca so look me up while you're there and we can go for a ride :-)
Snow is pretty in the winter, but driving a long commute in it is no fun at all. Glad you made it home safely. Where I'm from we are used to driving in all weather, so it isn't a big deal for us. Good to hear that the Germans tend to drive slower when the roads are bad. People here don't do that - if they have 4 wheel drive and/or a big truck, they drive like maniacs!
I remember those crazy scary drives home in the winter. It was the worst going through the small villages with their narrow roads on the cobblestones that were iced up. I do miss the KrisKringleMarkts though. This is the fifth year that my horse has had his Rambo blanket. They really are the best! Hope the winter eases off this year and you don't have to deal with so much snow!
I don't care for winter driving either. I'm glad the folks around you drive carefully. My Prius actually handles quite well on packed snow. It doesn't like anything deeper than 8 or 9 inches, though. Also, I have tried using the B (Brake) on the shifter to engage the engine to brake the car on slippery hills. It seems to work.
Well, even though the snow is terrible to drive in... and means it's really cold... it is so pretty to look at!
Baasha looked really snug and warm - loved the color of his neck vs the color of his body!!
Frau, thanks!
Tara, the weatherbeetas are as good, I think, but they seem to have a "dress affect" on my horse. Baasha hated his new shelter for a while too, he'd stand with his head in the old stall and beg us to let him in there, even though it was full of our tools. Finally!
Lisa, thank you so much. I hope so too.
Mellimaus, the trick I think is that Baasha is very low impact and doesn't damage things. I wash it once per year, in spring, with dishsoap and a horse grooming brush. The waterproofing is unbelievable on these things!
Melissa, I'm with you. I can do it now but I'm not comfortable with it.
Reddunappy, we've had the same temps all November as you, I think. Relatively mild.
Aarene, I only like it if I don't have to go anywhere. Or push wheelbarrows through it, or shovel every day. I like a light dusting a couple days per year.
Crystal, I want a blanket with a neck but the neck pieces all cost 40 euros and the blankets themselves are 85 (on sale). I wish the'd put the neck pieces on sale!
Starbuck, I knew an Arabian named Starbuck in my past. I love that name, despite the coffee. When I was a kid I was in love with him. I wanted him to land his viper in front of our house. I have seen photos of Mallorca and am not sure why it pulls so many Germans every year. Perhaps cuz the beaches here are cold, but Mallorca seems so crowded to me. Is it so? I always say Mallorca is Germany's Hawaii.
Laura, you're so right.
The Kellys, Thank you, I hope so too.
Dreaming, thanks for mentioning the Prius. I wasn't sure what to do but I did think to put it in B on a downhill slope. That's pretty much all we can do, I think.
Hi Lytha! I thought the same thing before I came here, but once I started exploring a little I was quickly convinced otherwise. As long as you don't come in August and stay off the beaten path, you can find some magical places which aren't crowded at all. If you want, friend me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/timita) and check out my beach photos and you'll see what I mean :)
I will admit that the most popular German hotspot, S'Arenal, is disgustingly overdeveloped and the beach is highly uninspiring.
The other (albeit un-Christmas-y) perk is enjoying sunny, 20ยบ C days in December! ;)
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