If we go way back, say six years ago, you would know that I have a pretty complicated relationship with Mother Nature. It’s a love/hate thing, but let me tell you, Mother Nature leans heavily on the ‘hate’ side for me. And boy, does she know how to get to me – by making me do one thing I absolutely despise – shoveling snow!
Close your eyes for a moment and travel back in time with me. It’s the winter of despair, and the snow is piling up high. It’s already been a couple of months since the first snowstorm hit, and the snowbanks are already towering over the sidewalks and driveways. But then Mother nature decides to play a new game and starts sending light snow, barely two inches, every few days. It’s almost like a cruel joke, as the snow piles get higher and higher, and you have to shovel more frequently. You’re starting to feel like you’re in the movie “Groundhog Day,” but there’s no end in sight. Finally, the snow piles get so high that there’s no space left to put the snow, and you injure your shoulder while lifting the heavy snow over the top of the towering piles.
In late February, I had finally had enough. I reached my breaking point and decided to take a stand against the winter blues. Looking at the forecast, I made a bold decision: I would no longer shovel snow. With a sense of excitement and rebellion, I declared that I would leave snow removal up to mother nature. It was time to break free and embrace the unpredictable adventures of the season.
The battle was tough, but I was determined to emerge victorious. For the rest of that winter, I refrained from touching the snow shovel. Though still a little bruised and battered from previous shoveling, I won the war against snow removal. It was an epic battle that I will never forget.
Yet I am realist, I knew I had to take a smart approach to tackle the next winter. So, I hired a snow removal service. Now, let me tell you, the experience of working with them was nothing short of amazing! Their proficiency, promptness, and effectiveness in getting the snow out of the way was simply indescribable. This is not meant to be a compliment. I could go on but I’ll save that for another blog post.
The winter of 22-23 was an absolute nightmare town (and state). Though my snow removal service handled duties in the front of my house, I faced a new challenge. The snow had piled so high that I had to trudge through it with a shovel in hand, just so my furry friend could do her business in the backyard. But, I am not one to back down from a challenge. I didn’t let the tedious chore beat me down. Instead, I found my inner artist and transformed the snow into a masterpiece. I created a breathtaking labyrinthine path through the snow, complete with twists and turns that would make any maze-maker proud. And the best part? My dog was absolutely thrilled with it!
I was extremely disappointed with my snow removal service last winter. They were unable to efficiently handle the heavy snowfall, leaving me frustrated and having to chip away at the ice on my driveway.
I needed to find a new strategy for the upcoming winter season. I knew my physical limitations and age wouldn’t allow me to shovel my way out of the snow this year, and finding a new snow service seemed like an uphill battle. But then I stumbled upon the ultimate solution – something I had never had before – a snowblower! This bad boy is my new secret weapon to conquer any snowstorm that comes my way. With it in my arsenal, I’m ready to take on the fiercest winter challenges and emerge victorious! No more waiting for the plow to arrive or shoveling for hours on end. This year, I’m taking control of the winter game and showing Mother Nature who’s boss! So bring on the snow, because I’m ready to blast it away with my powerful new snowblower!
It’s amazing how Mother Nature always manages to stay one step ahead of us! I was excited to use my snowblower this year, but there were only a few light snowfalls in November and December that I could easily remove with a broom. I was starting to lose hope until a major snowstorm hit us in January, dumping 12 inches of snow in just one day. Unfortunately, I was in Florida at that time, and my snowblower remained untouched. But wait, there’s more! Just a couple of weeks later, it snowed again, and I finally got to play with my new toy. It was a thrilling experience, and I couldn’t wait for the next snowfall!
It has been a mild winter so far, with very few snowstorms. The snow has melted away, leaving behind a dull and lifeless landscape. However, just when we thought winter was over, Mother Nature surprised us with sudden bursts of snow this week! Unfortunately, neither storm was significant enough to warrant the use of a snowblower. Yesterday, we received less than an inch of snow, and today, depending on whose predictions you trust, we could get up to three inches more! The only downside is that I have to clear my sidewalks of snow and ice within 48 hours, or face the consequences from the city. So, I was forced to break my promise and, with a trusty snow shovel in hand, I removed the snow from my driveway and sidewalks. Once again, Mother Nature has won!
But there is joy in the air. I just checked the extended forecast! The weather will be absolutely amazing for the rest of this month, with temperatures ranging from the mid 40s to mid 50s almost every day. Even if it snows, it won’t last for long as it will melt pretty quickly. So bring it on Mother Nature! I am not shoveling anymore – except as needed for my dog.
Everything is fine, except that March happens to be the snowiest month of the year.
Sireadh Toileachas 