Shoveling snow

Three times in the last sixteen hours I've cleared the driveway and our lengthy sidewalks. The picture here is from last night, after 5:30 Mass, when the worst of the snow had already fallen and I made a short effort at cleaning the driveway before I left for Mass. Not surprisingly, other parishioners struggled to make it to Mass and I had to start the rosary by myself. After Mass, it took another clearance last night, after Jane's impromptu birthday party and another pass this morning to finish it off.

I've had the Cub Cadet out just twice this year. The first time, a Saturday about seventeen days ago, the wet snow was a burden for the Cadet, even at about four inches. Just recently, I took the Cub out for another clearing, only to lose a chain while clearing the long sidewalk along Hoelzel. I have found the Cub to be powerful yet at times overwhelmed by seemingly modest amounts of wet snow. Worse, I worry that when I really need the Cub plow, either it won't start or it won't just struggle with deep snow, it might just fail to move the amount needed to clear the driveway.

Plowing in Eden on a full-sized tractor was more time consuming, given the lengthy driveway and large expanse of parking space in front of the barn and out four-stall garage, but the tractor was usually good to go and very effective at moving large amounts of snow. Learning how to operate and then using the tractor to plow snow was an introduction to next-level farm chores, even before I became a teenager. But getting up around 6:00 a.m. to provide a path for dad to get his car out to drive to Bethlehem Steel was a dreaded wake up call.

Shoveling out patio and steps could also be time consuming. One time, the school bus caught me as I was shoveling. Rushing to catch the bus, it was only when I made it to Immaculate Conception and school did I notice that I had failed to put on my school univ=from Oxford shirt and tie over my t-shirt. When I removed my pea coat I felt embarrassed and almost naked. I actually 'hid out' in the boys' bathroom as I waited for mom to bring me my shirt and tie from home, two miles away.

This snow is as close to the official opening of 'cabin fever' season in Wisconsin, where the cold, wind, snow and ice mean more hours indoors.