The snow in our area this winter has been the gift that keeps on giving. The only problem is, none of us really want it.
Yesterday, we were treated to two and half feet of snow, just in case the 20 inches we received five days before wasn’t enough for us.
The media has had a fun time coming up with cutesy, ratings-grabbing names for these back-to-back snow storms. The very first one was called “Snowpocalypse”, followed soon after by “Snowmageddon.” This most recent storm was christened simply “Mor’easter” since apparently all of the good, end-of-days terms have already been used.
We live in a rural area in the middle of a country village which dates from the late 1600’s when it was deeded by William Penn. All of the houses sit close to the road but have long driveways behind them which go to garages, outbuildings, and barns. Our house is no different. When it snows, there’s a tremendous amount of work required to clear the driveway. Shoveling snow by hand from a monster storm like this one is out of the question unless a trip to the ER for a heart attack is your idea of a good time. Plowing is difficult since the driveway curves and straightens in patterns impossible for a snow plow operator to know when covered with snow.
Enter the snow blower. This piece of equipment has saved our behinds numerous times over the past several years that we’ve owned it, but not nearly as much as it has this winter with storm after storm after storm.
The snow blower’s design is brilliantly engineered. It cuts a clean, mean line through the snow and clears the snow right down to the pavement on the driveway. It’s small and maneuverable, making it ideal for snow blowing in tight areas, and it’s more compact and easier to store than snow plow equipment. Plus, the fact that it throws the snow evenly out of the way rather than piling it up means that there are fewer snow mountains remaining than there are from plowing.
I am so awed by the snow blower’s ability to change my situation from snowbound to liberated that I have a special affinity for its inventor. I don’t exactly know who he is, but if he ever needs a kidney, I’ll be right there to offer one of mine...or caring words of encouragement. Something like that.
Operating the snow blower does require a certain skill level best achieved, like anything else, with lots of practice. My husband Dan has become a pro at it. He maps out the most efficient way of tackling the driveway and calculates the best direction to throw the snow. He systematically clears an area, pulls a car out, then snow blows where the car was. You might have different ideas, but to me, a man who can show the snow who’s boss like that is downright sexy.
So here’s the sort of job he had ahead of him:
Even the dog said no thank you, I’ll stay inside and sleep in the sun.
Of course, even sexy, snow-defeating men get tired after a job well done:
I don’t have the heart to tell him that a new storm is predicted for Monday night. I’ll let him get his strength back first.
Comments
Bluesurly - You might be able to use this as a way to convince your hubby to get a snowblower. I don't know the make that it is, but I'll find out and report back when Dan gets home.
Of course, from my sunny 80 degrees that snow looks lovely. Until you're trapped by it.
Rated for flurries. (or tons of them).
Ocular - I just came from your post - we must have been reading each other's at the same time! Forgive me for being geographically challenged, but isn't snow an oddity for New Mexico?
Joan - I hear you. I'm half-past nuts from cabin fever myself. Another storm will really do me in.
V. - Sunny? 80 degrees? You have no idea how badly I am jealousing at this very moment.
LandP - I always thought that New England was so beautiful but I could never handle the winters. Now we have New England winters here. It's crazy! We've even had more snow than Minnesota this year.
Snow bad.
But I'm happy to leave it to y'all.
i can't believe you're getting another storm ... if you need me to mail bread let me know ... WOWZA - I had seen some of the pics, but that last one just blows my mind!
Then we got this big monster Craftsman thing. I can't use it. It goes. You turn it on and it goes in a straight line. I think it can be maneuvered but I couldn't get it to budge. My husband loves it because it cuts right through that ice cement we get after the plows get through with our street. We usually end up with a big pile, higher than the snowfall of an icy mixture of ice, snow, sand and dirt. It freezes into grey cement.
Your snow looks breathtakingly beautiful. I know better, but it IS gorgeous. And you're rural enough that I'll bet it stays beautiful for a while too.
(We're getting 5-8 inches tomorrow. Seems wimpy, eh?)
Kisses,
Marcela
R
Juli - This is a really freakish winter for us. We usually have plenty of cold, but never this much snow. In fact, we've set a record for snowiest winter EVER in this area.
Lea - Thank you! Would you like some snow?
Pilgrim - Your comment made me laugh out loud. Our kids are grumbling, too. Their job is to shovel the front porch, a path to the mailbox and the street (for the school bus) and help clean off the cars. You know there's too much snow when the kids are sick of it!
Cominghome - Are you sure? You can have some. You don't need to be polite.
I_Mom - I know! Isn't that photo with Dan collapsed unbelievable?
Jane - Thank you! Hopefully the snow will go away quickly.
Bob - If I'd known you were coming, I would have built a snowman. :)
Susan - Hand-shoveling on gravel? I feel very sorry for you. :(
Wakingup - Nah, you're not wimpy. Normally, 5-8 inches would be enough to send all of us into a panic. By the way, I heard on the news that 49 of the 50 states have snow on the ground tonight. Stay safe and warm!
femme forte - 75 degrees? My perfect temperature. I want to live where you live!
Marcela - Oh, melting in 98 degree weather sounds heavenly right about now. I think I'll hang out at your blog a while and look at your photos to keep warm.
Fusun - So THAT'S what happened...we got your weather by mistake! I'll be right over to make the exchange. :)
Sure different from last summer, eh. I'll have a Snow Beer --or an iced tea-- with you any time.
Global warming forgot about you, too, hmm? (Me, too)
Sounds kinda like herpes.
Who was it pointed out that 49 of the 50 states (and D.C.) had snow on the ground today? Was it you? Well, whoever it was, that is one of the most amazing factoids I've heard in a long time. It's also sort of cool because it means we really are all sharing the pain. (Or pleasure, I suppose.)
Sally - Ah, yes, those narrow city streets with on-street parking must be a joy with mountains of snow everywhere. So are you ready for the next storm?
Ranting Boomer - Yeah, global warming...I'm definitely not feeling it this year.
Cap'n - Your comment made me laugh so hard my sides hurt!
Smithery - I share your pain. We're not used to winter being quite this much work, are we?
Stim - I think so too. I wasn't going to write about the snow, but when I saw that photo of Dan collapsed against the snow, I simply HAD to write something so I could use it.
Brown-eyed girl - I keep hoping that they're wrong about Monday night. I know, I'm in denial.
Susan - I did mention that factoid about 49 states having snow but it must have been on someone else's post (or maybe FB.) It does help to know that, much like other things which presently stink in America, we're all in it together.
R