Pine cones to the rescue

Re: “Icebound,” Letter, Jan. 22. My house has a walkway in the back that has sunk down over the years. Even though I am a fairly old man, not in the best of health, who cannot afford to have anyone do this for me, I’ve always tried my best to keep the snow cleared. The problem is when it goes above freezing in the day, the snow melts and fills the low spot with water, which freezes during the night.

I cannot chip all this ice away every day. I don’t think anyone could. I used to put sand and salt on it in the morning that simply sinks to the bottom when everything thaws during the day.

A few years ago, a high wind covered my sidewalk with cones from my pine trees. People walked over them, crushing them and breaking them apart. When everything thawed during the day, the pine cone bits floated and stayed at the surface. When everything froze during the night, the pine cone bits stayed at the top. The ice became nearly slip-proof.

I think any kind of wood chips would work as long as they float, though I think pine cones work the best. This is a good solution for anyone who has a similar problem with their walks as I do.

Artimus Press, Calgary