Quote Originally Posted by BleeckerSt_Girl View Post
Who's saying that anything is the 'only solution'? There is no only solution to any of this-
not wool, not hand warmers, not cinder, not salt....
Sorry, Lisa, I didn't see that you intended humor in the hand warmers on the roads statement, just like I don't see any humble discussion in "Meanwhile, I use lots of layers of wool and other insulation materials and do the best I can with that." I truly read it as superior martyrdom based on environmental concern rather than concern for someone's health and safety. I thought Sarabeth shared a product that helped her with this and you criticized it for environmental reasons. Would I use a packet for shoveling snow? Yes, when necessary. I can keep my hands warm skiing and cycling in very cold temps, but shoveling snow can be excruciating. Like many, I've had some frostbite scares and risking permanent damage because of refusal to use a more effective but marginally less environmentally friendly solution isn't an option. That's how I read your statement.

I'm not condoning Seattle's lack of action, but there are plenty of easily obtainable solutions other than salt, so there are equally effective and less environmentally damaging options (unlike plastic bags vs hand/foot warmers ). And this said living in a community that doesn't plow unless a single storm drops more than 4" at a time, so accumulation can get significant.

So, now that you've clarified your humor and your humility, I'll express mine.

I gotta say I feel sorry for the PNW residents who are completely unprepared for living in the cold snowy depths -- and the road, law enforcement and medical personnel who are trying to help everyone. We drove to and back from SLC during these storms and it was dang scary. Stupidly, the better the conditions, the more overconfidant the drivers became. Idjits.