This brought back such great memories for me. Enjoy this delightful word portrait of Michigan's latest snowfall from a long-time friend, Ann Russell-Lutenske:
In light of the prognostications of 10” of snow, we treated ourselves to paying for snow removal. It should be noted that Paul normally does the lion’s share of the task, but it seemed like today’s snow would be particularly challenging. It’s our first time hiring it done, and it feels sort of fancy.
But I’m surprised to find I’m more than a little disappointed, too. I do enjoy the feeling of being out in that insulated quilt of quiet; of being IN the weather. I have a love/hate relationship with the scrape of the shovel on pavement and the way it echoes through the neighborhood. It sounds just the same as it did when I was growing up on Clinton Street. Back then I had to clear the snow because Mom said so, but this is MY snow in MY yard and I do take some pride in that.
Sometimes shoveling is darned hard work, but the aerobic accomplishment is exhilarating in a very distinct way. It reminds me that I’m a living person with a body that runs on oxygen. And Tylenol. And coffee. It fills me up to know that this task—which had a beginning, a middle, and an end—is complete.
And while I’m not a big fan of the cold, I love the feeling of coming in out of it; of stomping the snow off my boots and then then stepping into my cozy red house. It’s a magic moment when I can shudder the cold air out of my lungs and breathe in the luxury of heat. Shedding my wet winter gear by the front door and hanging it to dry feels like a monument to accomplishment. And then there’s the reward of a hot cup of something to warm my hands and my insides.
This year I have to bow out of the shoveling because my shoulder is still healing. I have the restrictions of surgery to thank for reminding me that there is good to be found in hard work. Next year, by golly, I hope to be up to the task again, so I can complain about it at length.
I remember the good old days in Pennsylvania when we'd have a heavy snowfall (10" plus and occasional blizzard conditions) and all I had was a snow shovel (and much younger back) to clear the length and width of my sidewalk within 24 hrs. by statute; and, my curbside mailbox or else delivery was suspended; and to clear a curbside space for our family car. Sure enough anybody visiting elsewhere in …More
I remember the good old days in Pennsylvania when we'd have a heavy snowfall (10" plus and occasional blizzard conditions) and all I had was a snow shovel (and much younger back) to clear the length and width of my sidewalk within 24 hrs. by statute; and, my curbside mailbox or else delivery was suspended; and to clear a curbside space for our family car. Sure enough anybody visiting elsewhere in the neighborhood assumed a miracle had cleared the snow at my curbside and grabbed my spot. So the cleared spot would have to be filled-in by me with lawn chairs, garbage cans, and a sawhorse to keep it free...all of which were moved by the more determined poachers. I do not miss any of that.
