Things I do and do not have

Things I have that equip me for a northern winter:

• An outstanding striped hat
• A knowledge of, and instinct that supports, the "turn into the skid" principle
• A scraper I can easily lay my hands on
• A garage
• Two bags of ice melt
• Good boots
• A commute that can be walked
• A fireplace
• Oatmeal
• Very expensive jumper cables

Things I do not have, that, if I did, would equip me better for a northern winter:

• A snow shovel Update: Acquired!
• A contract with anyone to plow the driveway Update: Acquired! Update: Apparently lost!
  
• Snow tires
• Cable TV
• A furnace that operates at better than 81 percent efficiency
• A door mat Update: Acquired!
• Hot chocolate Update: Acquired!
• Update: Four-wheel drive
• Update: All-wheel drive
• Update: A working flashlight Update: Had it all along, as it turns out
  

I will, I feel sure, have reason to expand on both these lists in the future.