tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post7314191453034338934..comments2024-03-20T08:32:25.794-04:00Comments on Dept. of Nance: Snow Business: I Have A ProblemNancehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-67018969958119629482021-03-04T10:24:57.449-05:002021-03-04T10:24:57.449-05:00steph--How well I recall the Blizzards of '77 ...steph--How well I recall the Blizzards of '77 and '78. I was attending community college then, and it had to close several days. I was devastated, not because of missing class time, but because I was missing my then-boyfriend, now husband. Roads were impassable, but he did come see me one night in his '63 Chevy Impala. He noted on his way home how he was the only car on the road. He came to find out that it was because they had closed the highway!<br /><br />Snow shovelling is a chore and a bane to some; to me, not. It sounds like you formulated a genius plan with the grass seed. I can't imagine a Datsun--hardy though they are--plowing through the mess left by a snowplow. You were a brave soul.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-22284708455260672392021-03-04T09:26:37.156-05:002021-03-04T09:26:37.156-05:00I lived in Buffalo for years...some of those years...I lived in Buffalo for years...some of those years were during the infamous Blizzard of '77 so I know the endless snow of which you talk. At the time, I had little kids and spent what probably would have been good snow removal time, putting on and taking off snowsuits and boots. (No matter how many times I insisted they go 'potty" before heading out to play, they couldn't be out more than ten minutes before a potty call came. Maybe it was something to do with the cold. ) <br />But, looking back, I should have spent more time shoveling. At least the pile at the end of the driveway left by the snowplows. Back then, though....and driving a little Datsun...I would gun the engine and try to let momentum leap me off the ice and the blockade...onto the street. Obviously, this didn't always work and more times than not, I spun out into the front yard. All this to pass along a tip that to this day I think I discovered on my own. While everyone I knew used kitty litter to sprinkle under their tires to get traction....I used grass seed. And then my yard was automatically reseeded in the spring thaw....because it really needed it by then! stephhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11462819419868208831noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-36297081150628089492021-02-27T08:20:19.197-05:002021-02-27T08:20:19.197-05:00Meredith--You get me! I know I'd be the same w...Meredith--You get me! I know I'd be the same with a pressure washer, but I cannot stand the sound. Whenever anyone uses one, especially at the lake, it seems to go on for hours and hours and hours. Drives me nuts. It's incredibly satisfying work, however, to see the grime and dirt and mildew disappear. Rick is the power washer, and he does the boat, the lakehouse, the dock, and the deck. And anything else he can, usually, because once he's got it out, he gets a little crazed, too.<br /><br />We all have our little obsessions, don't we? What is it in our lives that make us crave that sense of completion and perfection?Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-14574786992769395752021-02-26T12:37:15.151-05:002021-02-26T12:37:15.151-05:00You are not alone and for me obviously living in F...You are not alone and for me obviously living in Florida it isn't snow or shoveling it is pressure washing. Once I get started I can't stop. I will be out there for hours cleaning my driveway or outside by my pool. It hurts my neck, I get horrible headaches but I can't stop. I want it clean! The vibration in my arms from the machine makes them hurt, yet I can't stop. Now after writing this I just want to go out and clean something!!!!Mereknitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04596140300034854370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-27890467138109831672021-02-25T19:00:06.720-05:002021-02-25T19:00:06.720-05:00YEs a variant indeed. I'm close to the snow in...YEs a variant indeed. I'm close to the snow in the air, just don't care point. I get this way in March. If it is going to melt within a few days of the snowfall, I'll just let it go. I'm not the eager beaver I am in Nov, dec, jan and feb. <br />Oh and yes on that exhaust issue. UGH. Im all for an electric snow blower next time. I nearly ruined a pair of fun hand knit mittens last week. kathy bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17534431969086721507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-2799193456647564532021-02-25T12:41:15.312-05:002021-02-25T12:41:15.312-05:00Mike always shoveled a little path from the back d...Mike always shoveled a little path from the back door to the garage - but frankly I sometimes would wish he hadn't because it seemed more treacherous than just walking on snow. That's because we didn't work hard enough to get every little bit off the path. <br /><br />For some reason the grass on our sidewalks would just sort of dry & stick to the concrete. It was weird - it would not blow away (at least not for a while). It bugged me when I'd take a walk & have to shuffle through it. Of course, I'm talking about the people who would mow once a month, so really it was hay baling they were doing. I was walking through hay. Ha!The Bughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07509037206264761261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-36044400973366617192021-02-25T08:55:29.031-05:002021-02-25T08:55:29.031-05:00Bug--Oh, the mail carriers here use the lawns as w...Bug--Oh, the mail carriers here use the lawns as well, but the route for mine takes him across my driveway to my little walk. I have a small fence that keeps him/her from using the yard to go directly to the next house, and some front landscaping.<br /><br />Rick is the one with the grass clipping thing. He gets annoyed if the next door neighbors don't blow theirs back onto their own property. I don't get it. It's not a hazard; it dries up in a day and will blow away; it seems harmless. I can still walk safely on a few grass clippings, and we can drive on them.<br /><br />However, I don't mow, so maybe it's a Person Who Mows kind of thing. <br /><br />Didn't you ever get tired of getting out of the car and slogging through snow and ice at your own home?Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-1728638126873631522021-02-25T08:45:55.847-05:002021-02-25T08:45:55.847-05:00Anni--Oh, it's a persona non grata around here...Anni--Oh, it's a <i>persona non grata</i> around here as well. Especially after the last storm, we have had enough. We're sick of looking at it. It's been here forever.<br /><br />That being said, we have the wherewithal to deal with it, whether we like it or not, unlike the folks in your state. Goodness! What a terrible and tragic and unnecessary nightmare for you all.<br /><br />And yes, snow means work. Plain and simple. Those who love it and find it so wonderful consistently befuddle me. Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-62283677554339229012021-02-25T08:41:19.279-05:002021-02-25T08:41:19.279-05:00J--I completely agree. Having to pile snow somepla...J--I completely agree. Having to pile snow someplace makes the yard look terrible, even when it's not the ugly stuff I pile upon it. Right now, after a few days of above freezing temperatures and wind, all the snow is ugly, having melted into what it really is: dirty icy stuff, thanks to environmental factors. You can see all sorts of dark flecks in it.<br /><br />One of the biggest reasons I shovel is so that the snow doesn't turn to ice and become dangerous. Like you, I don't want to fall (although I have proven twice that I don't need snow or ice in order to do so).<br /><br />It sounds as if you made the most of your snow shovel skills way back when. LOL. What a tame and gentle life you grew into! Who would know, by looking at you now, that you could teach a class in Snow Shovel Self-Defense?Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-37198105793639108162021-02-25T08:27:53.759-05:002021-02-25T08:27:53.759-05:00Joared--What I really need is a flamethrower. That...Joared--What I really need is a flamethrower. That would be incredible!Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-91878270958599351952021-02-25T01:56:26.315-05:002021-02-25T01:56:26.315-05:00Hm-m-m — you may need professional help — to eithe...Hm-m-m — you may need professional help — to either clear the drive for you or provide counseling. You could apply heat to the drive or walkway — no, not your hair dryer. Our first house when we wed had a long drive but it was gravel so no shoveling there. Joaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03155775053108104385noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-34853892224340699512021-02-25T00:20:49.081-05:002021-02-25T00:20:49.081-05:00I have never shoveled snow that I can remember. I...I have never shoveled snow that I can remember. I find your crisp edges extremely satisfying, but I want the snow covered lawn to be prettier and not covered in dirty ice.<br /><br />When we lived in Fairbanks, Alaska, a bully was beating up my brother. I was probably 5 or 6, Richard was 7 or 8, and this thug was probably 10. What an ass. I clocked him over the head with a snow shovel and knocked him out. He never bothered us again.<br /><br />With all of that snow, in Alaska, and more recently in Tahoe, I guess it is pointless to shovel the snow. So people have studded tires, and the right shoes, and you just walk on it. Of course, as you know, the only time it is really dangerous is when it gets icy. I’m sure that happens in both places, but I don’t really remember it. As an adult, I have to say that I don’t really LIKE walking on snow or ice. I don’t want to fall and hurt myself.Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00653383372182667361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-20797545681074214352021-02-24T14:04:42.151-05:002021-02-24T14:04:42.151-05:00Okay, you most likely know by now that SNOW is a f...Okay, you most likely know by now that SNOW is a four letter word we don't speak of here at our home. It's one of many 4-letter words, like IRON...they all spell work. But, I do know who to call on if I need a driveway cleaned.Hootin Annihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08811326085498312568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-67512372987922478752021-02-24T12:33:17.015-05:002021-02-24T12:33:17.015-05:00Well you know my thoughts about manual labor. I...Well you know my thoughts about manual labor. I'm more of an if it's not ice then my car will do fine on it. In Ohio we didn't worry about the mail carrier because they would walk THROUGH THE YARD to get to our little front stoop. We did try to keep the stoop & short sidewalk from the driveway to the stoop clear. Well, that's all I would care about - Mike liked to at least shovel two grooves for the car tires. If his back had been stronger he would have been more like you. I will admit that our neighborhood in general didn't mess with the sidewalks. We were all slackers and I did not judge us. But come summer? People had BETTER not be blowing grass on the sidewalk or they would get major side eye from me.<br /><br />I wish I could send you some of my laissez-faire, but not really - your snow obsession is part of who you are & we do not need more people like me in the world! (However, for real, take care of your back!)The Bughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07509037206264761261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-81331372273045253412021-02-24T10:47:09.767-05:002021-02-24T10:47:09.767-05:00Ally--NO ONE is afflicted like I am. It's pate...Ally--NO ONE is afflicted like I am. It's patently ridiculous. I should be medicated.<br /><br />My next-door neighbour and buddy is not a snow removal junkie. She and her husband rarely shovel the driveway, and they never shovel the sidewalk. As a matter of fact, this last huge snow, they eventually hired someone to just plow them out in one big push. They just keep a small path cleared and salted from their side door to their car. The rest of the property is one big drift. <br /><br />We are friends and communicate cheerily and regularly. As do our husbands. I buy biscuits for their three charming dogs.<br /><br />It would be the same with you, no doubt! And I'd vastly prefer you to our other neighbours. Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-7393757016598141242021-02-24T10:38:01.819-05:002021-02-24T10:38:01.819-05:00Ellen D--I'm glad to hear that you have a love...Ellen D--I'm glad to hear that you have a lovely and clear driveway. I doubt I'd be jealous, however, because mine is the same. Right now, it is clear and dry, basking in the ACTUAL SUNSHINE. Your son and I would get along just fine. You have a good boy there, Ellen! Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-35329209498297807892021-02-24T10:24:32.200-05:002021-02-24T10:24:32.200-05:00Hmmm. Well, I'm not afflicted with this need ...Hmmm. Well, I'm not afflicted with this need to clear the driveway in the way that you are. In fact, I often just ignore the snow and ice on the driveway and drive over it which packs it down so that it doesn't disappear until the spring thaw. I like how you know yourself so well, but am glad that you aren't living next door to me. You'd never speak to me based on how I/we don't tend our driveway. Ally Beanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17017098395188176477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-78510717010174945752021-02-24T10:09:20.672-05:002021-02-24T10:09:20.672-05:00I am lucky that my oldest son lives with me and he...I am lucky that my oldest son lives with me and he LOVES to shovel. He is very methodical about it and has a definite pattern to how he shovels. He will use the snowblower if the snow is heavy and deep but usually he likes the crisp, clean results of the shovel. My driveway is a thing of beauty when he finishes. You would be so jealous! :)Ellen D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03776803182673252265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-58701735705002115662021-02-24T09:05:14.273-05:002021-02-24T09:05:14.273-05:00BB Suz--LOL. We all have our little obsessions, do...BB Suz--LOL. We all have our little obsessions, don't we?<br /><br />Last night, my eldest son, Jared, sent me a text. "I read your blog..." and then there was a series of messages after that expressing concern, outrage, and overall worry. He tried to appeal to my sense of reason. "It's not just the falling. It's muscle pulls, your shoulder, your knees, you could hurt your back...then what?" He thinks I am frail. But I get it.<br /><br />I do need help. Help like NO MORE SNOW. A nice long, safe walk will do me good.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-25597059327744971742021-02-24T08:47:28.146-05:002021-02-24T08:47:28.146-05:00Ortizzle--I have been thinking of and wondering ab...Ortizzle--I have been thinking of and wondering about you and how you were faring. It seemed silly to send an email asking those questions if you had no power, and then forcing you to relive it in a reply. Of course we were watching the news out of TX with incredulity. It was like Katrina in its tragedy, except that the government opened the door for its own devastation.<br /><br />I hope TX and its citizens recover speedily from this; I truly do. It must have been a nightmare.<br /><br />Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-91744136178197974972021-02-24T08:41:08.486-05:002021-02-24T08:41:08.486-05:00Do you really want ME to answer your question? Pro...Do you really want ME to answer your question? Probably not. <br />Your poor body. Your poor brain. You need help NANCE! I wonder if there is a Winter Intervention of sorts in the area? <br />Really though, I'm sure after all the months of lockdown, it's solace to have something to work on daily. And really, it's keeping your heart rate up and your muscles are working on the daily. Maybe you can just limit yourself to ONE shoveling and then shut the front windows from the view? Move onto something less stressing on your brain and body? Busy Bee Suzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18115487928147732314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-50359803053318101372021-02-24T08:39:14.333-05:002021-02-24T08:39:14.333-05:00Martha--Just knowing the way you attack your proje...Martha--Just knowing the way you attack your projects, I feel sure that you'd be the same way with your driveway. <br /><br />I keep trying to remember that we'll be in the hotbox soon enough ourselves. Spring, my favourite season, is so short.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-84274688311689133612021-02-24T08:35:53.527-05:002021-02-24T08:35:53.527-05:00JanL--I don't expect everyone to get as crazed...JanL--I don't expect everyone to get as crazed about their driveway as I do, but those who don't shovel at all mystify me. I also get a bit irritated by those who do not shovel the sidewalk in front of their homes. Certainly all sorts of circumstances might dictate why these things don't happen, but I see more people my age (61) and older out removing snow than I do my much younger and haler neighbours.<br /><br />I think about our mail delivery person, for example. I keep the porch clear and the steps salted. I am in the minority.<br /><br />I'm so glad you were able to safely navigate your charitable act. Falling is terrible and, at least in my case, feels so defeating. Let's hope Winter is on its way out very, very soon.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-33655857910708134972021-02-24T08:24:49.785-05:002021-02-24T08:24:49.785-05:00Dee--Kindred spirit and friend.
My driveway is g...Dee--Kindred spirit and friend. <br /><br />My driveway is gorgeous.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15179498.post-86475261855481714972021-02-24T08:22:37.474-05:002021-02-24T08:22:37.474-05:00Jean--Hm.
Well, be careful out there. Once the s...Jean--Hm. <br /><br />Well, be careful out there. Once the snow starts melting, it gets tough to shift around. I hope there are some good things in that mailbox that make it worth your efforts.Nancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17627214346956206283noreply@blogger.com