jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

From the Internet -

Man, it is rough dealing with snow! Today I had to clear over a foot of snow from my driveway. Alone! Let me give you an idea what that actually entails.

My wife woke me from a sound sleep at about 9:30 a.m. because she was afraid that the snow would get too deep, and we would be stuck in the house. After she prepared me a hot breakfast, I aided my digestion by sitting down and watching a bit of TV. Once again, my wife gave me a prod and suggested I get started before it got too deep. She said she "was busy," so I had to dig out all my snow gear - warm underwear, boots, shirt, sweatshirt, big coat, hat, and gloves. I had to look all around the house dragging out about twenty pounds of this specialized gear. You’d think after being a housewife all these years, she’d know how to organize better. Putting on all that hot clothing can be quite a chore.

I was exhausted after struggling with the heavy socks, boots, etc., so I took a break and watched a bit of TV just to catch my breath. As you can imagine, sitting in a heated room with all that warm clothing on was not pleasant, so I decided to open a window. Unfortunately, my wife never takes my advice. The last time she did the painting, she neglected to follow my directions, so the windows were painted shut!

My wife had her toolbox handy, so she was able to get the window open in less than an hour. Meanwhile, I didn’t want to get in her way, so I was outside on our front step taking pictures of the beautiful snowfall and watching the squirrels scamper through the snow. With the window open, I was able to cool off and relax before heading out. With all the work I had already gone through so far, I still had the worst part of the job ahead of me.

The first step was opening the garage door. I had to reach up to the mantel - wearing my big, bulky coat - and find the right remote and then find the right button on this three-button remote. Finally, the door rose, so I headed out. "Headed out" sounds so simple, but imagine this. It was about twenty degrees and sunny, with snow at least a foot deep. Fortunately, there was no wind. By the time I got to the garage, I was almost suffering from snow blindness. I was able to call my wife on the intercom, and she brought my sunglasses out. Why she insists on walking through snow in her house slippers is beyond me. She’ll probably get a cold and expect me to wait on her hand and foot.

Once I made it safely to the garage, I turned on the radio and looked around to see if there was any tidying up to do. Everything looked fine, so I plopped myself down at my workbench and sorted drill bits while I listened to some relaxing music. I knew, of course, that I was postponing the inevitable. I dragged myself over to the snowblower - that huge red beast - and plugged it in. Then I pushed the button to activate the starter. Boom! Fired right up. I removed the power cord and headed out.

Don’t kid yourself. It isn’t easy following along behind a self-propelled snowblower. You have to pay attention to where it is going, and you actually have to steer the thing - and it’s very heavy. I’m not exactly Superman, so I had to take a break and go back into the garage for a sit-down. Then I had to plug the machine in again and push that button again. Finally, the driveway was clear, and the snow had stopped falling. I put the machine back into the garage and went inside, where I hoped my wife would have lunch ready. Fortunately, she did. Once again, I had to push a button - to close the garage door. My thumb was getting a real workout. I was expecting it to give me trouble tomorrow. It’s always something! I told my wife that she didn’t have to rush right out and put more gas into the snowblower and check the oil. She could wait till before she started dinner. No rush.

A day like this makes you appreciate simpler times when we didn’t have to do all that button-pushing and following along behind a heavy, noisy machine. Those pioneers didn’t appreciate how good they had it.

GlenBose Loc: NE Florida, formerly Limerick, PA

Yeah! I can sympathize with you... It is why I moved from PA to Fla. Now she complains when the grass is 8 or 10 inches. "When do you think you'll get grass cut?" she says. Well after three or for days of that it starts to get on my nerves. I hate waking up the cat who is sleeping on my lap. But does she care? Nope. "I'll get to it in a minute." I say. She's still not satisfied. Oh, well.
Larry

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

get a goat

GlenBose Loc: NE Florida, formerly Limerick, PA

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Then the HOA (HomeOwner's Association) Nazis would show up in their jeep with the 50-caliber gun mounted on it to demand that you: 1) Get rid of the goat, 2) Cut your grass, 3) Power-wash your sidewalk, and while you are at it: 4) Power-wash your roof because there is a little discoloration on the shingles and if that doesn't work you will need a new roof, 5) replace your fence, and 6) Repaint your shutters because the color does not comply with the mandatory color chart for the HOA. Welcome to Florida!

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

Don't worry. Wouldnt be caught dead in Florida. LOL

alby Loc: very eastern pa.

BUT ...you wouldn't have to shovel snow

Kmgw9v Loc: Miami, Florida

Thanks. Funny reading.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

I look at snow shoveling as a form of exercise. If I start to feel a little winded, I stop for a while. you don't have to klll youself.. I was in Florida a couple times. The bugs are BIG there. I stepped on one and he walked off with me.

GlenBose Loc: NE Florida, formerly Limerick, PA

Yes! There you go. We have free senior citizen transportation. What direction and destination depends on past skate boarding skills. But, we're teachable.
Larry

ltatko

Moved to Fl from Ct. in 1994.
Happiest day was selling the lawn mower and snow blower.
Boat and fishing gear are my main concern!!
Len

Spectre Loc: Bothell, Washington

When a man says he’ll get it done, he’ll get it done! You don’t have to keep reminding him every six months.😎

GlenBose Loc: NE Florida, formerly Limerick, PA

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

Toughl life Jerry I feel your pain my family tells me there is more coming this weekend I don’t miss it at all. Thanks for the story

J

johnst1001a Loc: West Chester, Ohio

Lets seem in past 20 years,
1 car accident, totalled car, no injuries
Wife slipped on ice, broke her wrist.
Recently friend fell on ice, broke femur
Also recently another friend fell on ice, broke collar bone
Two days ago 20 year old grandson fell on ice, broke his femur too,

So, I know people love snow, but particularly for older folks ice and snow us dangerous, please be very careful. err on the side of safety.