Friday, February 02, 2007

Some things just get twisted around...

We live in a wonderful old (circa 1842) farm house that sits waaaaay up on a hill:
One of the best things about it is that although we have an acre, we are close to all the things that I could ever want, including a kick-butt coffee shop spitting distance from us:
This is the view from my kitchen window. The house in the distance is the coffee shop
Yesterday, I went to have coffee and conversation with a few friends at the coffee shop. Now, I could walk, it's easy to get there, but my driveway is very long with obstacles like a leaning tree (the one visible in the photo above) and a sharp turn at the top-not that the tree and bend matter when you are walking, but it is slippery!
I drove. Not the Jeep Cherokee that I usually drive in winter, but the Caravan that makes me look like a soccer mom (I am a hockey mom-there is a difference). It does not have 4 wheel drive.
I tried to come home. I got as far as the sharp bend at the top and started spinning. I knew that as icy as it was, I would not be able to back down the drive. I put the van in park. I kept moving. I had no clue what to do next, so I engaged the emergency brake. I was still moving. I called Mark.
He told me not to worry, that it would not move much, there were snow banks on the down side of the drive to slow it to a gentle stop. That's if you didn't cut your wheels:

Mark was not at all shocked to hear that I was sideways in the drive. He remembers all too vividly the time I got a full size van stuck in a curb side mailbox...
All's well that ends well...Andy got it out before Mark got home.
Peace,
Jan



6 comments:

jill said...

And some things just get weirder, although it isn't shocking. I drive the same van (only flithy, disgusting white). Tell Mark I would have ended up the exact same way if not worse. I hate driving in the snow.

Lucy said...

Hey, Jan...it's me Lucy (don't worry people call me Linda all the time).....I'm so excited you visited my blog. I lived in Saxonburg and worked in Butler for a while in my younger days....I loved Saxonburg! I love your Kitchen window...and a coffee shop in the distance....I'm a coffee-aholic (and my son works at Starbucks...he goes to Penn State)...lucky me! My house is very old tho not as old as yours...built in the 1920's. I was born when my parents lived here and now I live here with my fiance, 19 year old son, and 3 dogs, 1 cat, and a turtle. I love mastifs....my mastif's mom and dad live right next door to us and they are gorgeous. I've made quite a few cloth dolls through the years....the more folky the better. I'll have to picture some of my on my blog. Thanks for visiting me....I'll put you on my bloglines and visit when you post. (hope to see a pic of your mastif on your blog soon!)

Anonymous said...

Ha! I think it's funny that you were going so slow (or your driveway's so long) that you had time to call someone for help!

Laura said...

And you called him. While sliding down the driveway still in motion. heh That cracks me up.

Good thing it all came out well. What a beautiful home and beautiful view you have. Do you sill have the greenery and lights around that kitchen window? :)

Unknown said...

Hi Jan, you have such an interesting blog! Your socks are awesome! Saw your rare post on focd and had to visit your blog.

Unknown said...

Hi Jqan, saw your post (rare one indeed!) on focd and just had to visit your blog. It is as interesting as you are! Love your socks!