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I had a revelation today. As I was stowing my snow shovel, I suddenly realized how much I enjoyed the successful clearing of my snow-covered driveway. The sight of the sun shining on its snowless expanse, surrounded by the piles of cleared snow, was surprisingly satisfying - a small source of joy even. Is it just me?
It reminds me of the small satisfaction I get when I cut my lawn and all the mow lines are straight and symmetrical. And then when I cut it later in the week and mow it at 90-degrees to the previous time so that the pattern is more complex but still, satisfying. Is it just me? (My neighbors started doing the same thing! And they're not even retirees like me!)
January is usually Michigan's month with the most snow fall (OK - it's not Minnesota. I'm only talking 12-13" on average in SE Michigan.) Our first serious snow of the season arrived last Friday night. The temperatures hovered near freezing so the snow was a challenge for my valiant two-stage four-cycle Toro 24" wide snowblower - despite its 900 cc's of fossil-fueled power! By running in its slowest gear and with judicious application of my not considerable girthitude, Mr. Toro and I cleared most of the driveway before the slush finally plugged up the output chute. The chute is cleverly designed with just enough curvature that when jammed by a slushy ice dam, neither the provided plastic "chute clearing stick" nor any other straight pole-like object can be inserted sufficiently to effect its clearing. After several ineffective attacks on the blockage using various hand implements, I briefly considered using a blow torch but the proximity of the afore-mentioned fossil fuel tank dissuaded me. I ultimately settled on patience and letting it sit in my slightly-warmer-than-freezing garage until the plug had melted.
With the sun's arrival the next morning, I realized the final cleanup was best completed with a shovel. After a leisurely half hour of pushing the remaining slush to the side, I left the rest to Mr. Sun.
Over the subsequent days, Mr. Toro and I spent more than a few satisfying hours reclearing the latest snowfall, usually followed by another half hour of shoveling the remaining 1/4" or so for that "clean" look. I don't shovel the heavy stuff. Not at my age. But I don't mind getting my "steps" in. My Fitbit encourages this attitude.
So, does anybody else actually enjoy this activity, or at least the final result of those exertions?
Discussion (80)
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My god, are you me?
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my driveway is about a 1/3 of a mile long, and is gravel. I drive over the snow.
But I used to shovel at previous residences. I really liked shoveling slightly downhill. You could almost run pushing the snow at an angle down the driveway into the grass.
In an aside, yesterday we received 2-3" of the lightest fluff. As I drove to work, I saw a neighbor using his leaf blower to clear his driveway. Simply Brilliant!
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I think that physical work that accomplishes some useful purpose can be quite satisfying. Reps and laps don't satisfy in quite the same way.
Oh yes. Not necessarily while it's happening, but looking back on a job well done feels . . . spectacular.
Now, if you're also like me, when you finish your own driveway and sidewalks, you start down the block and begin clearing other people's sidewalks.
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You are both weirdos! (Like me.)
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