The waning of the old year

[pegkerr]

I went out to try to walk the bridge today. "Tried" is the operative word. We had a thaw a couple of days ago, long enough for the snow to melt, and then another freeze, leaving a thick layer of ice on pavements and streets everywhere. Then last night we had another couple inches of snow, so footing was very treacherous.

The bridge was deserted. I ventured about 100 feet and then after one too many wobbles, decided to give up and turn back. I was afraid I'd take a major spill. The sky was dove gray and featureless, aside from the plumes of steam from chimneys of buildings overlooking the river. Everything seemed tired and discouraged.

I'm ready for the new year.

Comments

[pinguthegreek.livejournal.com]

I am with you there.

[haddayr.livejournal.com]

Walking outside has been a nightmare, even with my ice tip grip on my cane. I mean, there's nohting you can do on sheer ice.

I've had a week off from work so I haven't tried to bike.

I literally cheered when I saw it was snowing. Here's to traction in the new year!

[minnehaha.livejournal.com]

I have fallen hard too many times. I hate the slippery sidewalks.

K.

[aome.livejournal.com]

Frankly, I'm ready for winter to be entirely over already. :P

[auriaephiala.livejournal.com]

There's two partial solutions for icy sidewalks:
* your city putting grit down on the sidewalks and roads, which they should do as a basic safety measure
* you getting a pair of ice grippers/spikes -- nylon or rubber bands which fit around your boots and hold a metal plates onto the bottom of your boot. The plate has metal sharp edges or spikes that grip into the ice and keep you upright. I've had a pair for years and can attesrt they work, though I still don't walk downhill on icy sidewalks.

There's also the simple solution of walking where the cars are, because the section of the roads they drive on tend to be cleared of ice. This is best done with blinking lights all over you & steady nerves.