The local Big Supermarket had, in amongst its holiday specials, cheap polar fleece blankies shrink-wrapped into foot-long sausage-shaped cylinders for $9.99 per three.
I grabbed a trio: One for the futon here at Roseholme Cottage, and one each to toss in the trunks of both roomie's car and the Zed Drei. Now I have a bright red fleece blanket in there next to the folding shovel and the first aid kit. The bright red color is nice because most of my winter outer garments are in muted hues that are hardly likely to help steer rescuers to my position should I spin off the road...
You didn't get one for Huck?!?
ReplyDeleteNow all you need is a Cub Scout tuna can Survival Candle!!
ReplyDeleteWe made these suckers in scouts, and they worked great. You can't cook a five course meal on one, but it will keep the inside of a car warm.
A good hotpad- or an E tool- is a must, as well.
Wait....you didn't already have some form of blanket in the trunk?
ReplyDeleteI am a little surprised...
And to the list of suggestions I would add...
A pair of socks in a plastic bag. Dry socks make any bad time better.
Also, a book. If you've got time to kill a book makes it go faster. And in the worst case the paper can either warm your butt or wipe it.
BGM
I carry a book and a netbook. If my car gets off the road or I am otherwise stranded, I sit down and start reading or writing a story. Within five minutes, some yammerhead will show up and want to talk.
ReplyDelete@RX
ReplyDeleteLOL
Make it a crossword puzzle and it'll be about thirty seconds before some twit is leaning over your shoulder "being helpful."
BGM
The blankets may save someone's life one day. Add a candle, a knit cap and knit gloves that never leave the car.
ReplyDeleteHere's wishing you and yours a joyous Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year.
Johnny & Holly
A candle in the trunk saved a bunch of lives, up in Maine in the winter. Cold, and not a lot of folks on the road.
ReplyDeleteAnd Merry Christmas to you and Roberta, from very near to snooty East Cobb.
Several years, ago JC Whitney carried 24"x50" (or thereabouts) 12V heating pad that plugs right into the cigarette lighter... oops power outlet, as they're called these PC days. I keep one in the car that we usually use for trips down the mountain to town. Only plugged it in once, to make sure it worked, and I wouldn't want to use it long enough to run down the battery, but since Ford Festivas aren't know for the high out put from their heaters I figure it'll always be there should my wife want to be warmer on those days it's really cold.
ReplyDeleteThat, and a basic BOB and folding shovel should cover simple emergencies.
Merry X Mas,
ReplyDeleteDo yourself a favor and throw a new moving blanket in the trunk. They're bought form movers or packing supply houses or from the internet. They're tough, thick and have a multitude of uses like laying on when you're working on getting your car unstuck.
When you need a survival item, you need the best available not some cheap Chinese crap picked up off the Impulse buy rack. That includes shovels, flashlights,tools, etc.
They may not have purchased a fleece blanket for Huck, but the one in the house will nonetheless become his in short order.
ReplyDeleteZydeco has two, so that they may be cycled when one becomes so densely furred with cat hair the original pattern is no longer clearly visible. Neither were originally intended for his use. Putting one over your lap is basically like lighting a road flare to have a cat in it.
May I suggest you try it out first?
ReplyDeleteWait for a really cold day, and get in the car with the engine off and use the fleece to try and stay warm. Count me not a fan of fleece blankets. Mike