Yesterday afternoon the temperature was 46 Fahrenheit. This morning, 8. A winter stormed rolled through in the night hours bringing wicked winds and snow. I think we’re in it for the long haul now. That said, it is probably time to break out the ‘Diary of a Minnesota Snow Shoveler’ for its annual reading. By the way, if you’ve seen this before, I have edited this rendition to make it family friendly. Read on.
First snow of the season
December 8: 6:00 PM. It started to snow. The first snow of the season and the wife and I took our coffee and sat for hours by the window watching the huge soft flakes drift down from heaven. It looked like a Grandma Moses print. So romantic we felt like newlyweds again. I love snow – covering every inch of the landscape. What a fantastic sight! Can there be a lovelier place in the whole world? Moving here from Arizona was the best idea I’ve ever had. Shoveled for the first time in years and felt like a kid again. I did both our driveway and the sidewalks. This afternoon the snow plow came along and covered up the sidewalks and closed in the driveway, so I got to shovel again. What a perfect life.
December 12: The sun has melted all our lovely snow. Such a disappointment. My neighbor tells me not to worry; we’ll definitely have a white Christmas. No snow on Christmas would be awful! Bob says we’ll have so much snow by the end of winter, that I’ll never want to see snow again. I don’t think that’s possible. Bob is such a nice man. I’m glad he’s our neighbor.
December 14: Snow, lovely snow! 8″ last night. The temperature dropped to -20. The cold makes everything sparkle. The wind took my breath away, but I warmed up by shoveling the driveway and sidewalks. This is the life! The snowplow came back this afternoon and buried everything again. I didn’t realize I would have to do quite this much shoveling, but I’ll certainly get back in shape this way. I wish I wouldn’t huff and puff so.
Bought an SUV and snow tires
December 15: 20 inches forecast. Sold my van and bought an SUV. Bought snow tires for the wife’s car and 2 extra shovels. Stocked the freezer. The wife wants a wood stove in case the electricity goes out. I think that’s silly. We aren’t in Alaska, after all.
December 16: Ice storm this morning. Fell on my butt in the driveway putting down salt. Hurt like sin. The wife laughed for an hour, which I think was very cruel.
December 17: Still way below freezing. Roads are too icy to go anywhere. Electricity was off for 5 hours. I had to pile the blankets on to stay warm. Nothing to do but stare at the wife and try not to irritate her. Guess I should’ve bought a wood stove, but won’t admit it to her. I hate it when she’s right. I can’t believe I’m freezing to death in my own living room.
December 20: Electricity’s back on, but had another 14″ of this flaky crud last night. More shoveling. Took all day. Wretched snowplow came by twice. Tried to find a neighbor kid to shovel, but they said they’re too busy playing hockey. I think they’re lying. Called the only hardware store around to see about buying a snow blower and they’re sold out. Might have another shipment in March. I think they’re lying. Bob says I have to shovel or the city will have it done and bill me. I think he’s lying.
A white Christmas with more snow
December 22: Bob was right about a white Christmas because 13 more inches of the miserable crap fell today, and it’s so cold it probably won’t melt till August. Took me 45 minutes to get all dressed up to go out to shovel and then I had to pee. By the time I got undressed, peed and dressed again I was too tired to shovel. Tried to hire Bob who has a plow on his truck for the rest of the winter; but he says he’s too busy. I think the jerk is lying.
December 23: Only 2″ of snow today but the blowing wind made 4 foot drifts in the driveway. I can’t stand it. The city sent me a bill for $150 to remove my snow. They must be nuts. And it warmed up to 0. The wife wanted me to decorate the front of the house this morning. What is she…nuts??? Why didn’t she tell me to do that a month ago? She says she did but I think she’s lying.
December 24: 6″. Snow packed so hard by snowplow that I broke the shovel. Thought I was having a heart attack. If I ever catch the bugger who drives that snowplow, I’ll drag him through the snow by his nose. I know he hides around the corner and waits for me to finish shoveling and then he comes down the street at 100 miles an hour and throws snow all over where I’ve just been! Tonight the wife wanted me to sing Christmas carols with her and open our presents, but I was too busy standing on the front steps watching for the snowplow.
Snowed in
December 25: Merry Christmas. 20 more inches fell tonight. Snowed in – again. The idea of shoveling makes my blood boil. I hate snow! The snowplow driver came by asking for a donation and I whacked him over the head with my shovel. The wife says I have a bad attitude. I think she’s insane. If I have to watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” one more time, I’m going to commit myself.
December 26: Still snowed in. Why did I ever move here? It was all HER idea. She’s really getting on my nerves.
December 27: Temperature dropped to -30 and the pipes froze.
December 28: Warmed up to above -25. Still snowed in. The wife is driving me crazy!!!
December 29: 10 more inches. Bob says I have to shovel the roof or it could cave in. That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard. How stupid does he think I am?
Roof caved in
December 30: Roof caved in. The SUV is buried. The snow plow driver is suing me for the bump on his head. The wife took a flight home to her mother. Another 9″ predicted.
December 31: Set fire to what’s left of the house. Burned the shovel too. No more shoveling. Started walking back to Arizona – in my slippers and robe.
January 8: Where am I? I feel so good. There is a picture of a tropical island hanging over my window. I just love those little white pills they keep giving me. Why am I tied to the bed?
Author unknown
Closing
I have always liked this story. If we can’t laugh at ourselves it would make for a dull world. As I’ve said before, “If the world hands you snow, make ice cream!” You can contact me here. Looking for the perfect snow scape? Check out my offerings here. Wishing for a mild winter, I extend to you Peace.
