This El Niño winter has been unusual, to say the least. Our warmer than normal fall and December spoiled us, and then January happened. We got our snow, and eventually the below zero weather. I heard complaints, but I didn’t agree. Even the below zero days didn’t compare to other winters.
Sure, I don’t enjoy needing to bundle up with winter coats, mittens and caps, but, when it is windy and cold, it sure helps when I do. At least now I am getting to wear the sweatshirts under the coat. Speaking of winter coats, mine is falling apart. But I can’t find anything else that I like better, so yes, I am wearing it another year.
The problem with a warmer than normal winter is the likelihood of freezing rain. I went to a meeting in Clintonville one night. It was raining when I left home, and I heard no warnings of it turning to freezing rain. However, when I came outside, the sidewalk was very slippery.
I made a careful and slow walk to the van and breathed a sigh of relief when I got inside safely. The next problem was driving home on the sleet-covered highway. Again, I kept the speed down and breathed another sigh of relief that I arrived home safe and sound.
A few days later I attempted to go to another meeting. The rain was falling lightly but freezing on the windshield. It didn’t take me long to figure out I better turn around and go back home.
Sometimes in the winter I get to feeling closed in, and I get an urge to go somewhere. So one morning I decided to go to Shawano, even though there was freezing rain the night before. The road was safe to drive on, but I discovered that some of the parking lots were not safe to walk on. In all of my careful walking outside, in icy conditions, one would think I could walk safely in my own house, where things are not slippery, and where I am constantly removing things that I think are tripping hazards.
With my surgery last June, I learned to place my feet carefully, and although it was difficult at times, I never fell during the whole recovery time. However, since I am walking better now, I am no longer so careful, which has led to a couple of falls.
Unlike Humpty Dumpty, I didn’t break apart, but I have some aches and bruises as a result of my latest fall. So, now I am doing some shoulder exercises to limber it back up, packing ice on whenever possible, and doing some balance exercises.
As a senior citizen, I am always hearing about the danger of falling for seniors. I have been going to Total Fitness whenever possible, and doing my best to rebuild my strength and balance. While I guess I haven’t perfected it as yet, I know that I am stronger than I used to be.
Forging ahead is what I choose to do. I might be sore, but I am not discouraged. I have decided to use that walker a little longer, to help me remember that I need to be careful, and to provide balance support if needed.
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