Recently I went to a superstore to replenish my stock of rock salt. They always carry everything – including the kitchen sink – but not this time. Here it is January, in the far, frozen north, with snowplows on the prowl, and aching backs everywhere you turn -and they were out of rock salt. On the bright side, they did have all the grass seed and patio furniture I might ever want.
So I went to a small local grocery store where I was relieved to see a couple rock salt options still available to me. As I read their labels, I felt assured these products could definitely assist my frozen walks in short order.
Works fast to melt ice, snow, and sleet, says the bag I bought.
Fast is good.
Melts to temperatures below zero degrees with three-way melting action.
Not sure what three-way melting action is, but it sounds as if it means business, and we have had our share of frigid temperatures.
Shovel or sweep to remove melted ice, snow, sleet, slush (water) and remaining rock salt 15-30 minutes after applying.
This stuff is so powerful, emphasizes the manufacturer, you have to take care to get it up right away so that it doesn’t cause damage to your sidewalks.
Buyer assumes all risk of use, handling, and storing of this product.
Gotcha – I’m sold. Your salt is not for sissies. It will chew through anything. Stand by.
Do not eat.
Do not EAT?
Really?
I tell you, I cracked up. Talk about stating the obvious. Why would anyone go from distributing this stuff on their sidewalks to sprinkling it on their food? Just in case, though, the rock salt people have plainly spoken. Don’t eat the salt.
The beauty of straight talk is that you know where you stand. If you’re melting ice on your steps and are suddenly seized with the urge to consume some of it for lunch, resist. Or proceed at your own risk.
Similarly, if you’re digging out of a frozen place in life, and find yourself broadsided with a fresh sense of loss, resist the urge to take in thoughts that corrode your spirit. You’re not late. You’re dealing with hard stuff, and your grieving is going to take some time. It’s going to hurt some times. The loss is real; the grief is real. Don’t make a hard place even harder by measuring yourself by all the other people you think are handling loss better than you. The healing will not be swift. But as surely as rock salt makes way for spring seed, in God’s good time, it starts to come.
That’s the plain truth.