We're almost frozen solid here. City water main's frozen in the ground on many streets.

[IrishAyes]

I was suspicious when I kept the house fairly warm last night, left a heater on low by the critical indoor pipes, and even left the faucets on thin stream instead of drip. But this morning, still no water.

So I gathered up as many empty containers as possible and drew water at the church on the corner. If they want me for Sunday, they'll have to let me take a Navy shower in the basement on Saturday!

But here's my semi-emergency tip for when/if you find yourself with a toilet that won't draw water into the tank: Keep one of those portable john/jane jugs or some similar diy rig handy, then think spare toilet seat, big empty holiday popcorn tin lined with several sturdy plastic bags and a layer of newspapers, then the magic ingredient - kitty litter!!!!!!!! You figure out the rest. (I don't have a proper compost toilet.)

Between the odor-absorbing newspaper, baking soda, and kitty litter, it really doesn't smell. At least if you leave the temporary lid down. Care and a good sense of balance are highly recommended during use, however.

[enough]

1. Where are you, IrishAyes? (nt)

[IrishAyes]

2. Central MidWest where the gardening zone's same as southern Maine.

Cheap enough for me to live here. Tiny little town in a remote corner - nearest WalMart is 60 miles away. The absolute necessities are available locally, and the rest I can order online. I couldn't live here w/o the internet. Blood red area and most are xenophobic as geese. But after 8 years I'm proud to say I have 3 or 4 actual friends, and many of the others have been pacified or worn down into cordiality if nothing more. Been ages since anyone threw a beer bottle at me from a passing vehicle when I was walking or biking. A lot of people would think that maintaining near-invisibility would be the easier route for an invading liberal, but I've always believed that bullies respond better to a sharp jab back. The local 'Patriot' terrorists haven't congregated in front of my house, hooting and hollering and waving their guns, since I went out in the yard with a camera and waved hi. "Smile for the birdy, boys!" Etc. You can't back down or they'll run right over you.

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Smart idea..kitty litter.

One of those " but of course..head smack" ideas.

Kitty litter good for lots of things, including de-icing steps.

[NEOhiodemocrat]

4. How does kitty litter de-ice steps?

Our steps are old limestone blocks and unfortunately are like a skating rink. Do you mix something with the kitty litter? I go out with a little hammer and spacula and chip the ice off. My husband puts salt on it but nothing seems to last for long. Of course it was -8 here last night so guess ice is expected. Only problem I can foresee would be the cats trying to use the new "kitty litter area".

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. Well, technically, it coats the steps

to lessen skidding on the ice.
I was thinking of the "old" litter, I used to keep a big bag of it in the trunk of my car for winter use.
Not sure how the new absorbable stuff would work.

[Eleanors38]

6. When a motor lets go at the drag strip, the spilled oil

is absorbed by kitty litter -- far better than sawdust. It can get your car out of an iced-over right-of-way.

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. PLUS....in my VW Beetle

I kept 2 of those BIG bags in the trunk, which was in the front of the car, in snow driving.
both for traction if needed, and for ballast!