Winter arrived last week with a bang!   An arctic  chill came and hung on. For nearly 11 days, with nights in the teens and twenty's, and daytime highs in only the 30's.  This weather is more typical of January, not to early November.  I had anticipated this by insulating the well houses, and any pipe exposed to the weather up to two feet below ground. Animals should have electric warmers under their water dishes by now as well.
One of the events during this was the arrival of about an inch of snow.  The roads were deemed bad enough in my area of Oklahoma that many districts, including the one I teach in, declared a Snow Day.  I was the unexpected receipient of a three day weekend.  While going out to leisurely run errands, it occurred to me that winter driving had begun.  When winter driving, you must remember to keep an emergency kit in the car at all times.
My emergency kit includes an emergency candle (I make mine but you can buy them from sporting stores, camping stores, and from prepper stores like Emergency Essentials ).  I also carry a bright hunter orange cloth ( tied to the top of your car antenna or put in the rear window to make yourself visible to rescuers), candy bars, power bars, and hard candy, two thick blankets, a pair of dry socks, and a gallon of water.  If you should break down, you shouldn't freeze or suffer too much waiting for the tow vehicle.  I also keep hard copies of books to read.
Winter driving involves knowing your roads, and your limits.  I absolutely refuse to drive on ice if at all possible.  Here are the safe driving winter tips I was taught early on as an Aif Force wife and mother stationed in North Dakota.  Drive slower than you think you need to.  If you begin to skid, take your foot off the gas, and steer into the skid. In winter driving don't mash hard on the brakes, Ever!  If you find yourself riding on black ice, and begin to skid, taking your foot off the gas pedal will allow the cars weight to assist you in slowing down.  Remember having a four wheel drive vehicle is nice, but even four wheel drive vehicles will end in the ditch if you are not driving with caution.  This past storm I saw several four wheel drive pick ups that had slid into ditches and medians of the interstate, while my little two wheel drive buick cruised right by.
Stay safe, and warm this winter.  Trust your gut, if it doesn't feel right to be driving, stay home.