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So you probably all know that water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, I've had more than a few patrons not realize how to apply this knowledge to the basics of ice skating.
The building next to us, a commercial civic & business space, plows out a space on their lawn (and to be honest, they usually end up using some library property, too) once the snow is deep enough and fills it with water, freezes it, maintains it with a mini zamboni, and lets people skate on it for free. Fantastic, yes?
Okay, mostly. I've got some beef with them for utterly failing at containing their damned frozed water properly--it melts, runs through the snow and ices the sidewalks, which are only a few feet from the edge of their makeshift rink. And it's our sidewalk so it's our responsibility to keep it clear. *grumblegrumble*
The sad, sad part, though, comes from the occasional patron who wants the library to answer questions about this business's rink (for a business they're really hard to get a hold of--rarely answer their phone, no hours in the building (they rent out space for events), no website. Apparently the best way to talk to them is to go to the barbershop where one of them works and bother him there.). Since we're next door and we're a library, we're clearly the best folks for the job.
Icy glare, full of hot air
Two years ago during a series of slightly warmer (upper 30s, low 40s) days
(we didn't have real winter last year)
Skate Momma: Why is rink closed? [the business puts up caution tape & a sign if it isn't safe to skate] Why can't my kids skate?
Me: Well, it's too warm today.
SM: It's not that warm. We want to skate.
Me: It's above freezing. The ice is melting and won't hold people.
SM: *glare*
Me: *internal eye roll*
SM: Where else can we skate? [College Down the Road] let's people skate, right?
Me: They're an outdoor pond. They'll be closed, too.
SM: *glare*
Me: *typity* [Big University Next Town Over] has a rink. *google-fu* Looks like their hours today are [hours].
SM: Where are they?
Me: *gives general directions and is cut off mid sentence*
SM: That's indoors! We wanna skate outside!
Me: . . . but it's too warm for ice . . .?
SM: *glare* We're going to [Pond at Next Town Over]. I bet they'll let us skate! *storms out*
Me: *internally, alas: If they do, it'll only be because they want you to fall in!*
Pretty ponds are best
Yesterday
The rink's been made, but hasn't opened yet. All days recently have been about 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Aesthetically Inclined Grandma: Do you know why the rink is closed?
Me: It's too warm out.
AIG: But you could still skate on the ice. (this was totally a statement and not a question)
Me: . . .
AIG: It's because it'd chop up the ice too much, right? Skating when it's warmer out makes the ice mushy?
Me: *eh, sure why not* Yeah, that's right.
AIG: Thank you *turns to grandchild.* See you can't slide on the ice right now because the ice will get mushy and won't look nice. They don't want the pond to look bad. It's not because it isn't safe, it's so they can keep it looking nice.
Me:
The building next to us, a commercial civic & business space, plows out a space on their lawn (and to be honest, they usually end up using some library property, too) once the snow is deep enough and fills it with water, freezes it, maintains it with a mini zamboni, and lets people skate on it for free. Fantastic, yes?
Okay, mostly. I've got some beef with them for utterly failing at containing their damned frozed water properly--it melts, runs through the snow and ices the sidewalks, which are only a few feet from the edge of their makeshift rink. And it's our sidewalk so it's our responsibility to keep it clear. *grumblegrumble*
The sad, sad part, though, comes from the occasional patron who wants the library to answer questions about this business's rink (for a business they're really hard to get a hold of--rarely answer their phone, no hours in the building (they rent out space for events), no website. Apparently the best way to talk to them is to go to the barbershop where one of them works and bother him there.). Since we're next door and we're a library, we're clearly the best folks for the job.
Icy glare, full of hot air
Two years ago during a series of slightly warmer (upper 30s, low 40s) days
(we didn't have real winter last year)
Skate Momma: Why is rink closed? [the business puts up caution tape & a sign if it isn't safe to skate] Why can't my kids skate?
Me: Well, it's too warm today.
SM: It's not that warm. We want to skate.
Me: It's above freezing. The ice is melting and won't hold people.
SM: *glare*
Me: *internal eye roll*
SM: Where else can we skate? [College Down the Road] let's people skate, right?
Me: They're an outdoor pond. They'll be closed, too.
SM: *glare*
Me: *typity* [Big University Next Town Over] has a rink. *google-fu* Looks like their hours today are [hours].
SM: Where are they?
Me: *gives general directions and is cut off mid sentence*
SM: That's indoors! We wanna skate outside!
Me: . . . but it's too warm for ice . . .?
SM: *glare* We're going to [Pond at Next Town Over]. I bet they'll let us skate! *storms out*
Me: *internally, alas: If they do, it'll only be because they want you to fall in!*
Pretty ponds are best
Yesterday
The rink's been made, but hasn't opened yet. All days recently have been about 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
Aesthetically Inclined Grandma: Do you know why the rink is closed?
Me: It's too warm out.
AIG: But you could still skate on the ice. (this was totally a statement and not a question)
Me: . . .
AIG: It's because it'd chop up the ice too much, right? Skating when it's warmer out makes the ice mushy?
Me: *eh, sure why not* Yeah, that's right.
AIG: Thank you *turns to grandchild.* See you can't slide on the ice right now because the ice will get mushy and won't look nice. They don't want the pond to look bad. It's not because it isn't safe, it's so they can keep it looking nice.
Me:
. I'll tell it in the Jokes forum.
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