We would like to visit family tomorrow and Christmas Day.

In anticipation of traveling over Christmas, Attila is roasting a turkey this afternoon and I have baked a cherry pie for our own cozy little Christmas Dinner. We will celebrate Christmas together this evening and tomorrow morning.

But, the weather forecast for today, and overnight, includes a Storm Watch, which includes freezing rain. Our travel plans may have to be temporarily abandoned.

Circumstances dictate that we are not very flexible when it come to travel. The weather determines road and visibility conditions, which must be reasonable if we are to venture forth. Our vehicle is old and lightweight. Wind on a sunny day, with clear dry pavement, will require a great deal of added attention to control the car. Driving any distance in winter storms is completely out of the question.

We have set days that we have time off to visit, usually one day a week. At Christmas we have a few more days to work with. This is not in the least bit flexible and to survive financially we must schedule around work hours. In the winter, we have pre-determined days that we can call our own. If the weather and/or the roads are bad on those predetermined days we do not travel.

To these challenges we must add the challenge of heating the house with wood. This requires two fires a day to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the house. The house will remain above freezing for about two days after the fires cease, as long as the outdoor temperature remains above -20 C. If we were unable to return home within the 48 hours, the indoor temperature could and would drop below freezing, causing havoc with our water pipes. But more importantly, Mist would be trying to survive in very unpleasant circumstances indeed. So, in the winter we only feel comfortable leaving the house for several days if the weather report is such that we reckon our timely return is guaranteed.

Due to these factors, it does not look likely that we will be able to venture forth on Christmas Eve Day or on Christmas Day. Who knows though, the weather people are notoriously detached from reality. This probably would have been the ideal occupation for me; if only I had realized!

This is where the thought of a green Christmas becomes extremely enticing!