I think I'll drain the fuel from the portable inverter generator tomorrow...it has been on stand by, waiting for the first cold snap... I've already changed out the oil, and picked up a set of spark plugs for both sets...

We're in our first -30C blast of the winter and it always makes me re-think every pack, kit and purse we've got going. Double-checking and adding another layer of warmth to a few of them today as I stay inside where it's warm and peak out the windows at The Nature.

Stay warm and dry, my friends!

Jaqui... we made it all the way down to 39 (F not C), and I switched out of shorts for a couple of days.... and if any of you watch "Live, PD"... Pasco County actually has some pretty good people living in it

I purchased a 20-lire gas can for the vehicle and reflective tape for my clothes/pack.

A few weeks ago, I almost hit a pedestrian! GULP!

The problem was he was dressed entirely in black - non-reflective black overcoat, black gloves, black pants and black shoes. I was waiting to turn right at a parking lot exit that was not well lit (new moon as well). The pedestrian walked in front of me when the vehicle in front cleared the exit and turned right. I started to drive forward. I could not see the fellow; he was for all intents invisible to me. The only thing I could see between the glare of the traffic turning in was his white face! It wasn't until he moved into my headlight beam that I could see the rest of him. I wasn't sure which one of us was going to have the heart attack! Naturally, he was upset, thought it was all my fault and gave me the one-finger salute.

So that moved me to think - I too have a dark black jacket. So I ordered some reflective tape from Amazon and received it last night. Time to add a few accents to my clothing and to my pack. I want to be noticed - I don't want to be a victim of another driver's inability to see me.

Right now at this time of year, there is only 8 hours of daylight where I live. Its dark when I go to work and dark when I go home. Stay safe out there.

If you are walking or riding a bike, the brighter the better, especially on moving parts and the head. My pet peeve is motor cyclists clad entirely in black, including the helmet. Invisible must be cool...

Grrrr! I hate that as well. Pretty much every person who's been driving in urban areas for many years has had some close brushes with dark-clad pedestrians. It's clear that most of them don't give a thought to safety or visibility, especially the ones that seem to love jaywalking at night while wearing dark sweats and black hoodies.

Dang, I hate it when night time Jay walkers wear dark clothes and are busy looking at their cell phones.

Scares the - out of me.

Had to give my next door neighbor's brother a ride to the hospital when he stepped in front of a pickup truck like that. The fact he is close to 400 lbs probably saved him from serious injury.

I just don't get some people.

So wearing black is very “in” and popular -- but if some blacked out dude is totally successful and no one can see him, it’s a driver’s fault when he’s hit while crossing a street? Seems to me that being struck by a car at night while wearing all black is contributory and should be considered mitigation with LE or in court. But that’s just an un-lawyerly opinion.

If you are trying to hide at night, don't walk in front of moving vehicles!! Just have to be smart.

IANAL, but that makes perfect sense to me. My guess is that wearing all black is contributory....

There ought to be some case law on this point. Anyone?