Snowmageddon

Just over a month ago, I wrote an ode to the joys of clearing one’s drive with nothing more than a shovel. No fancy climate-killing internal combustion propelled snow-blowers or tractors required. Well, that was then. We’ve had about another six feet of snow since, and let me tell you, that hand-shovel shit is getting more than a little old. The local school board has declared 25 “snow days” since Christmas. In my twelve years as a student, and twenty-five as a teacher, I don’t recall ever having more than ten. The kids have lost more than a month of teaching days, and it’s barely the middle of February! Truth be told, the only thing that’s saved me from a heart attack is the fact my tenant farmer has taken pity on me, and has run a good-sized John Deere tractor with a robust snowblower up the drive a few times. Pity, perhaps leavened by the fact I haven’t bumped the land rent in fifteen years. There you go. Be kind to people, and they’ll be kind to you. Give it a try!