Today was a historic day at our house. I had a local service plow the driveway for me. Despite the cost, I’ll actually save big on any accumulation over four inches. I, at last, figured out that my time and cardiac health were worth the cost. And no, it wasn’t that I was incapable of doing it. I just figured that it wasn’t worth the labor. I’ll still be hauling away lesser snowfalls, but the bigger ones I won’t sweat anymore.
That brings me to the prompt for the day. All this snowplow stuff was not needed when four kids lived at home. As they grew up and moved away, I’ve had to move more snow, and more snow…yeechhhh. Yes. Gone are the days when huge drifts of snow were converted into massive snow forts, snow tunnels, and bunkers. Now it’s all just a mess that needs to be piled up. The problem grew as one then the other cut the cord and moved out. Yes, some still live at home, but go to work. They help with the shoveling, but this morning, the 18-20 inches just seemed to be too much, and when the young man with the plow truck stopped by, I asked how much?
Yes, the Carreras’ snow forts were wonders in the neighborhood. With four kids working, plus their friends, they were extensive, complex, and wondrous. They were so big that they blocked the view from the front window, and if snow was needed, it was “borrowed” from adjacent areas to create the fort and stock it with supplies, such as snowballs.
The good old days!
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Amazing 😍 love from Los Angeles
To everything, there is a season…
So true…and I really shouldn’t complain. It’s New England, and when I moved here I knew what I was getting into.
It’s okay. I’m in canada and still not used to it.
Greetings, fellow sufferer!
I would enjoy a snow day, but in my area, we rarely have that amount of snow.
I wish I could send you ten or so inches!!!!
😀
This is such a relatable shift, recognizing when effort no longer makes sense and adjusting instead of pushing through out of habit. The contrast between the old snow fort days and the present reality really brings the story to life.
Thanks.
Good call. I felt like Lady Astor when I used my electric snow shovel to clear the path I needed to get to the trash. We didn’t have much snow — maybe 2 inches and it was light and fluffy. Sometimes we do get 18 inches in one fell swoop. That’s hell. ONCE a neighbor plowed it out for me. He sold his machine 😭
The guy we hired has a carpentry business too; this is a profitable sideline at this time of year.
Oh wow, Lou. You guys really got blitzed! We got about 14″ yesterday and maybe 3″ more today. The work yard across from here must have a 20′ pile plowed up in one spot. Glad you hired some help for the bigger drops — seems like we’re not done with snow yet.
More on the way this weekend!
Ack!!! Not ready, not ready!!! Lou, I’m still choosing to believe this crap is what grows our roses, but we might have enough of those, TOO, by now!!
I hear you! I have no idea where I’d put more.
You are wiser than you realize, Lou. More me die shoveling snow than almost any other activity. Last big snow I faced with the last husband, required a small bobcat to get us out the door. Our small tractor wouldn’t move it and he wasn’t allowed to shovel. I made a path for the dog and planned our move. Being cheap isn’t worth it. Dead is permanent.
Very true!
I’m sure the young man out looking for work was very happy!
indeed! Greenback dollars, no credit card!