Autumn thoughts

Today, autumn has clearly arrived. I woke up to a bedroom that had plunged below freezing. As the sun came up, I realized thta all of the trees in our yard had turned and the grass was crusted with a glittering frost.

Of course, that got me thinking about winter and winter preparations.

Every year, I prepare a winter emergency kit for the trunk. (Having spun off the road in a blizzard while wearing a business suit and pumps - no coat and no boots-- not once but several times was a very convincing argument that they are a good idea.)

In the kit:

(For each person who regularly rides in the car)

• an old coat
• old boots
• wool socks
• mittens
• hat
• scarf
• Add to that a pair of trousers and a pull over sweater for me, just in case I happen to be in a suit when a blizzard hits.

Then:

• an extra bottle of windshield cleaner
• an *extra* ice chipper and snow brush for clearing the windows and headlights
• a big blanket
• a book for each of us
• a candle in a jar plus matches or lighter. (A flashlight is also a good option -- but be sure you check the batteries periodically.)
• A freeze-proof source of calories -- nuts, granola bars, etc, amounting to 1500 calories per person

I have been trying to figure out what to do about water. I recently heard about foil pouches of water that can expand as the water freezes and are pretty easy to defrost by putting them inside your coat, so I'll be looking for those and will add the equivalent of a liter per person.

The candle needs to be handled carefully in a car, of course, but I like that option because it means a tiny bit of extra warmth and no dead batteries. If you go that way, just remember to crack a window when you have the candle burning since the candle is 'breathing', too. If you get sleepy, put out the candle!

Things I have heard of, but don't carry myself (but you might want to):

• a small snow shovel and traction mats or cat litter/sand
• a "Please call the police" banner and reflective triangles or emergency flares
• jumper cables and tow ropes
• first aid kit
• tools
• brightly coloured cloth to tie to the radio attena
• fire extinguisher
• money for phone calls (good luck finding a pay phone)
• tire chains
• portable battery charger
• fuel line deicer
• portable radio

So, what's in your emergency kit?