I was going to start this column by writing about the eminent approach of springtime and a reminder to everyone to re-cycle shrink-wrap. That's that blue covering that is stretched over boats to keep them clean and dry in the winter. You've seen it everywhere around this area, and there's a program to re-cycle it rather than send it to the landfills.
But, rather than looking toward spring, today I feel a little bogged down in winter weather. It's Saturday and there is a snowstorm with a lot of wind raging around outside. In listening to the weather-radio station I note that the storm is supposed to abate at about 7 p.m. today. Right now, at 4:15, there does not seem to be much hope of that.
I was invited to a party tonight in the Elmore area, but I've decided to call and extend my apologies. From inside the house the roads look nearly impassable, except to snowmobiles, perhaps. There certainly have not been many vehicles on the road today, but I do hear the snow plow each time it goes past.
I am very grateful for all my good neighbors. Out in the country it is so important to be able to rely on the folks who live nearby. After the snowstorms of this winter, neighbors have come and plowed out the driveway. One day the wind brought down a small branch from a tree near the driveway, and I drove out around it avoiding it in the morning, thinking I'd have to get rid of it that night. But my neighbor cleaned it up for me. And sometimes the neighbors bring the mail inside, too. I was able to help out a friend in the neighborhood last night when he needed salt for his driveway. What I had wasn't very good but he was welcome to the small supply I had. So...we look after each other. It's a great advantage to have good neighbors, that's for sure.
I think we all ought to say a big thank you to Ottawa County poll-workers. On this past Tuesday, Election Day, we had a vicious ice storm in the late afternoon and evening. Poll-workers had to stay at their locations until 7:30 (and beyond) even though very few voters arrived after the ice storm began. Most of the workers had a very difficult time getting home, and I know of one who did not make it, but, instead, stayed with family members who lived near the polling place.
Also, we extend our thanks to the Sheriff's deputies who drove around the county and picked up the ballots and then took them to the Board of Elections office. That was a big help to the Election's presiding judges.
Don't forget that great pot roast dinner on Thursday, March 13 at Oak Harbor United Methodist Church. Serving is from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. Homemade dessert and a meal with all the trimmings are featured.
So now we've had an ice storm and a winter weather storm in the course of no more than four days. Enough, I've had enough. I've decided to go to Florida for a few days soon. The weather down there has been good. And it's bound to be warmer than it is here.
For those of you who are also thinking of vacation, Marriott Hotels offer some safety tips for travelers. We are paraphrasing them here:
-Be cautious with money or jewelry when out in the eye of the public.
-If you have valuables with you, they should be placed in a safe in your hotel room or in safe deposit boxes at the hotel registration desk. (In general, I do not carry any "real" jewelry when on vacation.)
-Do not leave a hotel room key where it can be stolen.
-If you have valuable items or shopping bags in your car, take time to lock them into the trunk out of sight.
-When in a hotel room, be sure the door from the hallway is locked with all locking devices available. Lock all sliding doors, windows and doors to connecting rooms. Do not answer the door without knowing who wants in. Verify people claiming to be hotel employees by calling the front desk. And do not let other hotel guests into your room. (If you meet other guests and strike up a conversation with pleasant people, socialize with them in the hotel dining rooms or other public areas.
-When returning to your hotel after dark, use the main entrance to the hotel. Before you get out of your car, be sure to check the parking lot for anyone lurking around, and if you see anything suspicious, avoid that area and report the activity to the front desk personnel.
-And I will add a couple of comments of my own about traveling alone:
-You should always take extra precautions. For example, if you're dining alone be cautious about using your hotel room number to pay your bill. Also take precautions about using the elevators. I prefer to ride an elevator alone and sometimes wait for another elevator car if I feel the least uncomfortable about the other passenger. When getting off an elevator, especially at night, look around as you're stepping out. If anyone is lurking nearby get back on the elevator.
-Leave a least one light on in your room when going out.
-Keep your curtains closed after darkness so that no one can see you're alone in the room when you return. Upon entering your room, look around carefully before divesting yourself of your purse or wallet. And I like to leave the television off so that I can clearly hear what's going on outside my door. However, if there's a noisy party going on in a nearby room, some television noise will help mask the sounds of revelry.
-When checking-in to a hotel alone, ask for two keys if there are other customers at the registration desk. It will give the impression that more than one person is occupying the room, and you won't look like such an easy target.
-Carry some of your cash - most of it, really - hidden somewhere on your body in a place other than in your wallet or purse. Use a money belt (or a pouch inside your clothing) for all of the cash you will not need on any given day. Each day, replenish only the money you will spend that day. This practice is also handy for must have medicines. Keep some in a separate place so that you don't have to go without the important stuff if your purse or luggage is stolen.
-Carefully think through what you need on long flights or train rides or bus trips. Be sure to take your purse (or whatever) with you when you get up to use the bathroom or to stretch your legs. If you take a nap or use an eye mask or earplugs, be sure to safeguard your valuables first.
-If you leave a car in airport parking areas hide everything inside it in the trunk. And write down precisely where you left your car. One time someone came to Detroit to pick me up from an arriving flight. She forgot to note where she'd parked her car, and we searched for more than an hour before finding it.
-If you travel to a foreign country, do a little research before you go. Find out about the customs, foods, and currency and take some basic safety precautions. Watch out for pick-pockets in the popular tourist areas and in unfamiliar areas. If you get lost, take a taxi back to your hotel. Don't wander around frantically trying to figure out where you are. You will look like a sitting duck if you are lost.
-With a tour guide, stay with the group. If you're walking slowly these days, plan to get back to the bus (or whatever) with a little time to spare. Once, in London, I missed my ride after a stop, and I had to take a taxi to catch up with the group.
Relax. Have fun. Be chatty. Get comfortable with others who are also on vacation. You'll have a good time. But unfortunately, you cannot really trust anybody so be on guard. You'll come back home safely and with happy memories.
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