After the snow

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Snow

(Saturday’s blogger’s commentary yesterday in part inspired this musing about the aftermath of the recent snowfall.)


Friday’s blogger texted me yesterday to call; I called his cell.  His talented artist wife picked up and explained he was shoveling his driveway.  When he called back, I admonished him for the exertion; I related the story of Grandpa Sol’s brother Julie and his ill-fated attempt to dig out his cab (Think something like the pic above left.) after a 1960s storm. I share that story a lot and I recall it every time I take up a snow shovel; it shapes my approach to snow removal; I prefer frequent sweeps and light shoveling rather than waiting for a snowfall to end.  Unfortunately, that could not occur this time.  My response to the last snow involved spacing out the removal. Cleared the sidewalk for the safety of passersby Thursday.  Cleared a path to street and to my driverside front door on Friday.  Yesterday, I cleared the “flag” between my sidewalk and curb to allow access to the rear of my blue car, moved it forward, shoveled a path to the street, cleared behind the car, moved the car back all the way and with no vehicle impeding access to curb, easily cleared enough of the Sanitation Department nearly two-feet high snow mound to allow me to pull out the car.  I never clear the snow into street; yes, it’s illegal but I always found it in bad taste.  Instead I pile the snow around my tree between the curb and sidewalk.  There may be some “cosmetic” work tomorrow and perhaps further work to free up our white car up the block but with nowhere to really go during these times, we may let nature help a bit there.


Last night, I finished Peter Frampton’s bio, Do You Feel Like I Do, so thinking of wanting some warmth and more ambient light (a phrase that comes to mind a lot advising folks opposing a skyscraper not permitted under existing zoning that would cast a show against schools classroom and a community park), I pulled up I Wanna Go to the Sun (the studio version found on “Something’s Happening” as opposed to the version familiar to most and found on Frampton Comes Alive).  A nice contretemps to all that snow.


P.S. Since this blogs fall on her special day, a very happy birthday to a very special young lady.


P.P.S.  As I sign off most emails this time of year.  Best wishes this holiday season and for the New Year.  Happy Holidays In Song.

Comments

Fred Klein

The question arises, was Mickey Mantle a switchshoveler?
Shelley Simpson

Fred told me he shovels a space for Charcoal so I assume he called back without much delay or after too much risk. At least I hope that's the case. Shoveling is something that should be delegated absent a scientific approach such as yours.
Daniel Schwartz

I too have a shoveling pattern to follow. Yes, I hate when others throw it in the street. Not only dangerous for other drivers, but also likely gets pushed back into your driveway when the plow comes back. Using side grassy areas is the trick.

Submitted by Steven_Lichtenstein on Sun, 12/20/2020 - 00:46

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Steven Lichtenstein

At our advanced ages, shoveling anything more than three inches is fool’s work. On average we get no more than 3 bad storms a winter. At $ 60-80 per storm that is less than $ 250 a year. Spare the back, avoid the inadvertent slip and evade the coronary episode. Pay some regular neighborhood kids. It’s good for the economy, keeps youth productive and keeps you out of the hospital or worse.
Norman Spizz

I use a great snowblower. His name is Gustavo. I pay him at the beginning of the season and he is there every time it snows.
Fred you shouldn't let your perdimonious mind interfere with you health and well being.
Rona Gura

Happy birthday Nancy!!!! We are firm believers in snow blowers. And, after we raised the house and now have a large stairway in front of the house, we put in a heater for the steps. One of the best investments we made.
Corey Bearak

Sounds smart. How long do the stair hearers take and do you need to immediately activate it as the snow falls (presuming so)? And interesting way to alert others not otherwise connected to her on social media to Nancy's day!

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