The Michigan Standoff (And Wisconsin. And Minnesota. And Ohio, etc.)

[Siwsan]

[LakeArenal]

1. Did your camera drone fly over here today?

[Siwsan]

3. They FINALLY plowed my street, today.

I'm thrilled that the snow berm, deposited at the end of my driveway, is less that 1' high. Lucky me - my car is in the shop, right now, so I'm in no rush to clear it. I'll wait until the weather warms up, a little. And, since my snow blower died, the other day, I'll also be counting on the warmer weather to help me clear the driveway. I'll shovel out just enough to get my car in, when it's finally done.

[LakeArenal]

5. We had 14.8 inches of snow.

We keep getting plowed back in. Driveway is 300 ft to garage. Although I have live in snow removal. He did say however that it is light and fluffy. Now -51 wind chill. 😱🥶

Gee, who would guess global climate change could unite America.

[Siwsan]

7. WOW! We got around 5", with the initial snowfall. And another inch, later.

The forecast was for around 9. But we've had a lot of blowing and drifting. My neighbor took care of my driveway, for me, Monday night and it's covered, again. Since my snowblower is dead, I'll wait until it's warmer and do a little clearing, in advance of the warm up. By Monday, it is forecast to be nearly 50. Right now it's -2 and our windchill just hit - 9. A little while ago it was -2.

[rsdsharp]

2. It reminds me of the winter of 1961-62 (yes I'm old).

My father broke his hip on Columbus day of 1961. In those days it took months to recover, so he was home a long time. That winter was awful. It was either 25 below, or it was snowing -- usually a blizzard. The street to the east of our house was actually US Highway 18, so it was plowed a lot. My mother was desperate to keep the walks and driveway clear, in case Dad had to go to the doctor. I was only 7 and not much help. My brother was 16, but he was in school and had a part time job, so Mom tried to shovel the drive herself.

She'd get it done, and a plow would come by, and she'd have to start again. After three times of this, she collapsed into a snow bank and began to cry. About that time a plow came by, this one driven by my father's second cousin. He asked what was wrong, and Mom told him through tears. He told her to move out of the way, backed up and then plowed the drive, and got on the radio to tell other plow drivers to do the same. Problem solved! (For us).

[Siwsan]

4. I've been where your mother was. It's a frustratingly helpless feeling.

A few years ago we had a record breaking snowfall. My mother was dying of Alzheimer's and my sister was dying of cancer. I was working full time, and also looking after my 96 year old aunt. It was vital I could get out, usually in a hurry.

No sooner would I get the driveway cleared than they plow driver would block me in. One of them laughed at me, as he drove by. I finally broke down in tears. My neighbor saw me, and rushed over. He told me to get inside - he'd take care of my driveway for me, when ever it snowed. He still does, if I don't get to it, first.

His son actually watched that same driver purposely doing the same to others. I tried to contact the road commission, but they blew me, and MANY others, off, saying they had no control over where the snow from the plows went.

[bif]

6. That's why I wait to shovel my snow

Until the plow comes by. We're on a cut-de-sac so we're one of the last streets to get shoveled in our city.

[Siwsan]

8. When I was still working, I'd be out at 3 am, shoveling so I could get out of the drive

Then I'd come home to the bottom of the drive so packed, I had to park on the street and start digging my way back in.

Now that I'm retired, I'm in no hurry. I might do a little, tomorrow, and a little more on Friday.