Good to hear about the Camellias, TY Rhizo. As old as they are, we weren't worried about them but it's still strange/difficult to see. They've been through 2 bouts of temps in the teens so far this winter. We moved here to get away from crap like that. Ewww! As if! Paul, TY for asking that, I was wondering too. The CW I was given about succulent plants exposed to sub-freezing temps is to try to have them dry at the time, (so have put sheet on mini garden when the rains started, to keep the rain off of it,) but I don't think the advice about watering first was in regard to anomalous plants like that. But I am also curious because one of the features of a successful microclimate is often that it's a fairly dry spot for various reasons. Avoiding the combo of soggy+cold is often attributed to successful zone-pushing/cheating. I would like to know when to do the opposite. Is this to help the 'normal' plants to cope with an unusual situation, not those with questionable hardiness? So, some schools are still closed here, some counties say their roads are closed. After days of wondering, 'cuz the news never did say, and the idea is foreign to someone who used to face daily driving in much more 'stuff' than even fell from the sky here, I finally figured out what closed roads means - they don't put up signs so you know, but insurance won't pay, according to a friend of a friend who did wreck from sliding on ice. That makes about as much sense as everybody thinking they are safer if everyone is insured. Yes, removing financial responsibility from drivers makes them a lot more careful, yeah, right. Got it, made a note of it.

Definitely get tire chains, you can google them and order online a lot cheaper than buyng from the dealer. Loading the tires wouldn't make a lot of difference as all your weight is already sitting on the axle IMHO. Also, going downhill take a "full bite" and on the return trip take a "lesser bite" depending on conditiions. I don't think tire diameter really works into it unless it means a bigger machine, width=traction particuarly with chains. If you've never had a blower, do you have a place to park it "inside?" Putting it inside where it's above freezing occasionally really helps, it melts the snow, ice, "salty mush" and keeps you and the machine much happier. If you park one with all that wet stuff inside, overnight it'll freeze, effectively freezing all the moving parts. A 60W trouble light turned on and put down the chute helps a lot. A lot of folks swear by water dispersal sprays like WD-40 before and after use, I just "melted them down" periodically. Good luck, Ev

I laughed so hard reading this my husband woke-up in the other room and thought I went crasy(I don't laugh much) When I first started reading I thought well this must be someone who doesn't have to get up and out and gone by 6am. I don't, not because I'm a work at home or retired,but I work seasonaly.But still sorry to say I love to shovel snow.My husband says when I shovel I'm a loly-gager.I don't push my self to huffing and puffing but I do get over heated.I'II even go out at midnight if its piling-up and shovel.It's amazing at night.When I look out at 5pm and see the rest of the neibours coming home and can't get into their drive ways I smile.But I do remind my husband how good he has it.Our driveway is 400 ft and has four parking spots and a turn -around. Plus I shovel a path to the garbage can,the propane tank and a path to the barn. I make sure the out door plug-in cord is visable and easy for him to get at too.I don't want a hero cookie.But I bet the guys down the street wish I belonged to them ,at least during the winter. Thanks for the laughs.Purple

I was a tiresalesperson & shop writer for 9 years, my first real job..... while attending college. :0) Softer rubber and wider sipes is always better in water, snow or ice. Studs on ice is the best. All season is the best buy for your money. Usable all year round, just drive slowly. The noise level is bearable....gas mileage is better than a wider sipe. All season is what I use on my SUV. And on a 4 wheel drive you would need all the tires to match. Note: they "used" to use crushed walnut shells in the rubber to add traction....:0) The shells fell out after a few miles, adding new sipes.