Here's to neighbors

[ksmith]

I went out to clear the drive at about 415. Took one look, and almost turned around to wait for Spring. I shoveled to the garage, then dug out the snowblower, which can handle snow up to a foot deep at first pass. The stuff in front of the garage was over a foot high, so I went back to the shovel. I figured I'd work until 7, take a Keith Olbermann break, then go back out and keep hammering away at it.

The snowplow went through as I shoveled away. I figure he left a two-foot damn at the end of the drive. Wet hardpack "heart attack" snow.

I had gotten rid of the worst of the stuff in front of the garage when I noticed someone at the end of the drive pushing an industrial-size snowblower. It was my neighbor's son. I walked down to thank him profusely. No problem, he said, I'll help you out.

I worked on the top half while he somehow managed to clear the snowplow mess. Then his dad came by with a shovel and cleared in front of my mailbox. Then son took the shovel while Dad took over the blower and cleared the bottom half of the drive. What I figured would be a good 4-5 hour job was done in an hour and a half. I thanked them many times, and pledged chocolate chip cookies. They didn't seem to think it was a big deal...though I think they'll take the cookies.

My driveway's clear. I don't believe it.

Comments

[lmarley.livejournal.com]

Last year we had a terrible windstorm, with lots of trees down and damage to folks' places. What we remember, though, is the way the whole neighborhood turned out and worked together to clean it up. Kids came around with wagons bearing coffee and hot chocolate (the power was out) and everyone brought out whatever tools they had, piled up brush, cleared the street, did what needed doing. It was a great moment.