The "S" Word

It just keeps snowing and snowing.

We're breaking records right and left around here. Most snowfall in a day. Most snowblowers sold. Most backs thrown out by people who can't afford snowblowers.

80 inches of snow have fallen on my town over the past month, with another 10 inches predicted for this week. And then we'll be starting off the new year with another 8 to 14 inches next weekend. No wonder people are starting to treat the word "snow" as some kind of unmentionable profanity.

I've shoveled our driveway over a dozen times now. There's no place left to put the snow. I'm scooping and lifting it literally over my head, which takes a huge toll on back and shoulder muscles.

I'm worrying over the three feet of snow on my roof and wondering if the experts are right that these new houses can take the weight. There must be 5,000 pounds of the white stuff up there. Every creak and groan in the night makes me wonder if the roof is about to collapse upon us. It doesn't help when the local paper publishes headlines screaming, "Buildings could collapse under next round of storms!"

It's been a real adventure trying to drive out of our neighborhood, as we seem to be last on the city's list of streets to plow. Basically, we leave our driveway going about 40mph and hope for a clear shot to the main road about a quarter-mile away. You don't stop or slow down, for fear of getting stuck in a drift.

You know it's a bad winter when you hear neighbors say, "We're thinking of moving back to California." It could never be that bad for me. The snow may be an inconvenience and, sometimes, a danger, but I'd still rather raise my family in this part of the country, with its four unique seasons.

Besides, the kids think the snow is awesome. They have none of the worries about it that I do. To them, it's all fun and games. At least until the roof falls down on our heads.


Skiing on the beach