Even though it’s now a full day since the last batch of snow covered Rountop Mtn., the snow is still pasted to the trees like strips of Elmer’s Glue. Usually, snow pasted on the trees falls off quickly. A little breeze is enough to disrupt it.
The second half of Wednesday’s snow was wet and unusually sticky, and unlike most storms, a strong northwest wind did not follow this one, so that’s why the snow is still sticking.
I’ve finished doing all the shoveling I need to do. The car is now back up by the cabin. I have a good, wide path out the chickens. The steep back steps to the deck aren’t cleared, but I rarely use them in winter. Despite placing those anti-skid strips on the steps, they remain slippery as all get out, and I’ve fallen so many times (miraculously escaping serious bodily damage) that I don’t want to push my luck.
And so it’s snowing again right now, though the forecast promises only an inch or so and the radar appears to bear out that prediction. Light snow is also forecast for tomorrow, and dark rumors of another possible Big Snow persist for sometime next week.
I like snow, at least in part because it makes the landscape I see every day look like someplace different. I can’t say that I’m wild about shoveling, though. Over the year, I’ve developed my own shoveling technique. Lifting inches of snow onto my shovel is more of a workout than I want. So I’ve gotten into the habit of shoveling snow every time a couple more inches is added on the ground. That way I can usually push it out of the way, and I don’t feel as though I’ve taken up weight-lifting to get rid of the snow. I even get up in the middle of the night, setting my alarm when need be, to shovel the latest two or three inches away. Perhaps this ends up being more work, but it’s easier work and that’s good enough for me. And there’s the big advantage of being mostly done with shoveling by the time the snow stops falling, which means I can start playing in the snow right away!
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5 comments:
I'm a sweeper rather than a shoveler, but I keep at it, through the night if necessary, instead of trying to do the whole pile at once. I say we're working smarter.
The forecast for today was snow showers on and off. Hahaha it just pretty much snow all day. Got maybe a half of inch. Like you, I'm getting another batch for sat.
However, a dump of snow on Wednesday would be good. Since it will be Groundhog Day and when Phil get pulls out, he won't see his shadow. Which means Spring will come early.
As for shoveling, I'm attacked at the end and crashed with a cup of tea.
The snow from our last storm is still sticking to the trees here too which makes for a beautiful view out my back window. Like you, I love the snow but hate shoveling it. I have tried your technique of shoveling frequently through a storm but failed to do that during the last snowfall Wednesday night and paid for it dearly yesterday as my son and I spent the better part of the day digging out from 15 inches. We did manage to find time to play in the snow with our pup though and slept soundly last night after lots of fresh air and exercise.
The snow from our last storm is still sticking to the trees here too which makes for a beautiful view out my back window. Like you, I love the snow but hate shoveling it. I have tried your technique of shoveling frequently through a storm but failed to do that during the last snowfall Wednesday night and paid for it dearly yesterday as my son and I spent the better part of the day digging out from 15 inches. We did manage to find time to play in the snow with our pup though and slept soundly last night after lots of fresh air and exercise.
Grizz: I'd say we are working smarter too. Of course, when I was younger and stronger, I didn't have to be smart. I just barreled on through and shoveled it after the snow stopped!
Cathy: Has punxatawny Phil ever been right about the weather??
Darcy: My constant shoveling routine doesn't always work. Like you, sometimes I don't get up when I should in order to keep up!
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