I realize that our winter has not caused loss of life and property, so far, compared

[question everything]

5. I found old attachments to put around the sole of the shoes. Thy have chains criss crossed them

and have been using them, as well as a stick to walk outside to get the morning paper - often at the lower half of the driveway - to collect the mail which is 30 ft down to the main street, and to wheel the trash bins.

Our house face west so we are the last in the circle to get sun, if at all. Plus, the whole circle is an uphill facing north so has been icy, especially after that heavy rain from two weeks ago, and the bottom of the driveway is icy from lack of sun and from melting snow above us.

Two weeks ago there was a small amount of snow so decided to clear the driveway and.. walked over the icy patch and fell. Since I had the shovel I placed it across and crawled away to the driveway. But then I crawled further to the side of the driveway where there is a bank of a foot of snow. Stuck the shovel there and managed to stand.

Hearing about experience of others, who were rushed to the hospital with concussion and or cuts, I consider myself lucky with only bruises on my thigh and a sensitive area around my elbow.