Althouse: Digging out.

December 9, 2009

Digging out.

62 comments:

Anonymous said...: Your neighbors are showing you up. Their paths are sidewalk-wide. Yours is only shovel-wide.

As any resident or former resident of a snowy region will tell you, the shovel wide is an inferior clearing, and shows a shocking lack of neighborliness.

Get your coat and gloves on Mead, your work isn't done yet.; 12/9/09, 11:20 AM
Ann Althouse said...: We're working on it. Plus, in the other direction there isn't even a path.; 12/9/09, 11:22 AM
TosaGuy said...: Prefer that to the 5 inches of slush that rendered my snowblower useless and forced 90 minutes of shoveling.; 12/9/09, 11:24 AM
Unknown said...: So, I was right about Meade and the brandy new, thermonuclear, ramjet snow blower.

PS Be glad you don't have to walk any dogs, especially a very pregnant, marginally psychotic Yorkie.; 12/9/09, 11:31 AM
Bissage said...: I happen to be of the little-nibble-throw-it-far school of shoveling, myself.

But I want all of you big-bite-and-dump guys to know that I respect the living hell out of you!; 12/9/09, 11:32 AM
Arturius said...: You should email that picture to Copenhagen.; 12/9/09, 11:38 AM
MochaLite said...: Oh, wow, do I remember mornings like that growing up in northern Indiana! Moved to the beautiful East Tennessee Valley 25 years ago and never looked back - here we have occasional snow, gone by noon!

Yours is pretty, though.; 12/9/09, 11:41 AM
Peter Hoh said...: Now it's my turn to dig out. Will have to do it again, tomorrow, according to the forecast.

It'll be a lot colder then. It's supposed to dip below zero tonight.; 12/9/09, 11:45 AM
Deborah M. said...: We had the same thing here but in liquid form.; 12/9/09, 11:48 AM
Ann Althouse said...: "So, I was right about Meade and the brandy new, thermonuclear, ramjet snow blower."

Nope. We're using shovels... and a broom.; 12/9/09, 11:52 AM
Anonymous said...: Ann Althouse said...
"So, I was right about Meade and the brandy new, thermonuclear, ramjet snow blower."

Nope. We're using shovels... and a broom.

How's that broom workin' for you?

16-17" on the far West Side, and the Winds of Hell are comin'.; 12/9/09, 11:57 AM
MadisonMan said...: I rousted my kids from bed this morning so they could do the driveway -- the LONG driveway -- 'cause there was too much for the snowblower. My arms are tired now, I just got done raking the roof. Now the wind can blow and drift. And I can walk into work for a telecon.

It is absolutely beautiful outside. Breathtaking. Lots of branches down though. But so achingly beautiful.; 12/9/09, 12:09 PM
veni vidi vici said...: I hated leaving Chicago for the friends and general goodwill I left behind, but this photo reminds me exactly of why I had to leave. I shut down in that hellaciousness (and I grew up in Windsor Ont., so there really isn't any excuse for me, I know!).

wv: "fisheutj" -- When Meade has to put down the shovel and stick his arm way into the snow (to the shoulder!) to "fisheutj" one of Althouse's earrings that her spirited sweeping caused to fly from her lobe. (Yes, the "j" is silent); 12/9/09, 12:15 PM
David said...: This is one of the days I do not miss Wisconsin. My daughter in Sturgeon Bay says the wind is 20-30 mph and they have drifts of 6 feet.

Ms. Althouse, did you go X-country skiing yet? Did it suck?; 12/9/09, 12:17 PM
Irene said...: Where to begin?

(Verona); 12/9/09, 12:18 PM
Original Mike said...: "Where to begin?"

I generally start at the garage and work my way out.; 12/9/09, 12:23 PM
former law student said...: No garage for that cute car?

Waking up after a winter storm, realizing that quadrupled commute times meant I was already late for work, shoveling the end of the driveway -- and the massive mountain range the plow would create -- I dreamt of having a 4WD with a plow blade mounted on the front, to back into the garage at night.

Then in the AM, I would open the garage door, start up the 4WD, drop the blade, and plow my way into a traffic lane.; 12/9/09, 12:24 PM
jeff said...: I don't have a sidewalk in front of my house, I do have a driveway though. Fortunately, I have a Jeep Wrangler sitting in it. There will be no shoveling at my house.; 12/9/09, 12:25 PM
prairie wind said...: No garage?; 12/9/09, 12:25 PM
Original Mike said...: there was too much for the snowblower.

Yeah, I was glad a did a run last night, because this morning it was right at the edge of being too much for mine. I have a pretty small one.

Snowblower, that is.; 12/9/09, 12:27 PM
Ron said...: We'll have to rename him "Snowl-vio"!; 12/9/09, 12:29 PM
LoafingOaf said...: I hated leaving Chicago for the friends and general goodwill I left behind, but this photo reminds me exactly of why I had to leave.

This time of year, I look forward to snow like that! In February and March it gets a bit old cuz you're looking forward to spring. But right now I'm looking forward to a winter wonderland.

I'm hoping this storm hits Cleveland hard tonight, so long as it doesn't knock out my power. Maybe tomorrow it'll even help the Cleveland Clowns finally beat Pittspuke.; 12/9/09, 12:31 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: I dreamt of having a 4WD with a plow blade mounted on the front, to back into the garage at night

Ha.

To shovel snow out of the driveway, we use our 790 John Deere Tractor using the front bucket to scoop up and dump the snow to the side. Long driveway. We also do the neighboring houses when it snows and have to move the mounds of snow deposited in front of each driveway by the State snowplows. They always just plow the highway and leave a 3 to 4 foot berm in front of the driveway openings.

And a snow shovel to make a small path to the trucks that are parked outside and a path to the pump house where the food is.

It seems to me that the winters here have been getting more severe in the last 3 years or so(cold, freezing the ground deeper and lasting longer) than previously. I've lived here for over 25 years.; 12/9/09, 12:33 PM
Jeremy said...: WOW!!

Snow.

Keep us updated.; 12/9/09, 12:40 PM
Original Mike said...: Man, you're a joyless person. It must suck to be you.; 12/9/09, 12:43 PM
Treacle said...: now i left the single most harmless comment ever on this post or the preceding one - something about ann wanting the kids to have to walk to school today (based on her post yesterday about a pre-emptive class cancellation). now my comment is gone. it showed as posted earlier. is it possible that comment was deleted?; 12/9/09, 1:02 PM
AllenS said...: I put the chains on the tractor (IH Farmall Model H), then mounted the snow plow and plowed just enough of the driveway to get in and out in case of emergency. Like if I run out of beer. Cold temps with wind.

I'd love to run over the tomato thrower with my tractor.; 12/9/09, 1:06 PM
Original Mike said...: AllenS: That's what they invented 911 for.; 12/9/09, 1:09 PM
AllenS said...: I tried to call 911 before, but couldn't find the 11. I have an old phone.; 12/9/09, 1:11 PM
Original Mike said...: You've had enough beer for awhile.; 12/9/09, 1:13 PM
AllenS said...: You can't brag that you drank all day, if you don't start in the morning.; 12/9/09, 1:14 PM
Ron said...: AllenS: the 11 is next to the any key.; 12/9/09, 1:17 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: IH Farmall Model H

@ Allen. Neat tractor.

Silly boy. Just do like we do.....fill the pump house or garage (as the case may be) with an emergency stash of beer, wine and booze so when it snows you can just walk on out to get refreshments. Of course for the beer, you do need to be sure the location doesn't get too cold. Beer slushies aren't my favorite.; 12/9/09, 1:39 PM
rhhardin said...: American Electric Power's outage map is out, evidently from power lines failing.

Wind takes care of the weaker trees in Ohio.; 12/9/09, 1:39 PM
Unknown said...: Ann Althouse said...

"So, I was right about Meade and the brandy new, thermonuclear, ramjet snow blower."

Nope. We're using shovels... and a broom.

Careful of your backs - and Meade's heart (I know, you own it these days...). Meade looks like a lean, fit guy and you seem to be in good condition, as well, but circumspection is not a dirty word (are there any anymore?). My wife won't let me near snow since her brother has a snowblower and 2 sons - one 16, the other 17.

I know I sound like an old nag, but I've slipped enough on sidewalks (I depended on SEPTA to get into Philadelphia and everything else was close enough to walk) and The Blonde has 40+ years of horror stories of men doing themselves in clearing snow.

Just be careful and take your time.

WV "crousabl" Either something that can be croused or something only Crous can do.; 12/9/09, 2:04 PM
Meade said...: All done. Driveway, walks, and cars are pristine - except for my wagon... I trimmed close the sides, and left it long (18") on top for a stylish snowhawk.

Time for a quick nap and then we'll go play with the skis and snowshoes.

wv: "fisheutj"[...]the "j" is silent

Ha!; 12/9/09, 2:21 PM
Original Mike said...: All done.

I was just contemplating the photo and thinking "I haven't seen any progress for hours."; 12/9/09, 2:25 PM
MadisonMan said...: Quick naps after hours of snow shoveling aren't quick.

I've walked into work and MAN are the roads gawd-awful. Monroe St in front of the old Jingles is just packed snow almost packed down to ice. When the temperature drops to zero tonight and everything freezes solid....

Commute tomorrow will be LONG. Except for walkers.; 12/9/09, 2:27 PM
Meade said...: I see a little sun poking out just now. Better go back out for some vitamin D.; 12/9/09, 2:29 PM
Original Mike said...: @MM: Great {/sarcasm}; 12/9/09, 2:32 PM
garage mahal said...: Can't wait to get home and find the front of my driveway 5 feet of solid hard pack from the plows. Might have to pour a drink and survey first.; 12/9/09, 2:44 PM
former law student said...: Careful of your backs - and Meade's heart

My grandfather insisted on shoveling his driveway into his eighties, even though his kids all chipped in and got him an electric-start Toro. To him, shoveling one's driveway by hand was part of being a man.

He finally gave it up when Grandmother decided it was time to move into an old folk's home. Despite having carried a considerable potbelly for most of his life, he made it to 92.; 12/9/09, 2:56 PM
Original Mike said...: Can't wait to get home and find the front of my driveway 5 feet of solid hard pack from the plows.

I am so happy I got my gift from the snow plow cleared already. My street is usually the last to get done, but this morning there was some kind of problem with the water/sewer line so they did it about 6 am.; 12/9/09, 2:56 PM
garage mahal said...: O.M.
I mean that small mountain from the plows that ends up at the front of your driveway.; 12/9/09, 3:01 PM
Unknown said...: former law student said...

Careful of your backs - and Meade's heart

My grandfather insisted on shoveling his driveway into his eighties, even though his kids all chipped in and got him an electric-start Toro. To him, shoveling one's driveway by hand was part of being a man.

He finally gave it up when Grandmother decided it was time to move into an old folk's home. Despite having carried a considerable potbelly for most of his life, he made it to 92.

Good for him. If it didn't hurt him at all, he's a better man than many.

Sad to say, there are guys in their 30s and 40s dropping over trying to do it the old way.; 12/9/09, 3:04 PM
Original Mike said...: I understand. I also usually have it waiting for me when I get home from work, but I was able to do it before coming in this time. That option is not usually available to me.; 12/9/09, 3:04 PM
rhhardin said...: Dog investigates meteor fallen down here onto earth from out of some unknown disaster.

Which departed as inexplicably as it came.; 12/9/09, 3:05 PM
Meade said...: Coolest dog evAR!!!; 12/9/09, 3:10 PM
AllenS said...: The wind has died down somewhat. Looking at my windmill, I see NW winds. Cold, cold temps on the way. Algore says that the arctic ice is melting, faster than ever, so we just have to wait for the warm up, which will soon arrive.

Wait a minute, if it's 8º in Star Prairie, WI, how can it be warmer 1000 miles north of here? I'm like, totally confused.; 12/9/09, 3:12 PM
Shanna said...: I am jealous of all your snow!!! It's going to be 22 degrees here tonight, but no snow :(; 12/9/09, 3:21 PM
AllenS said...: former law student said...
"My grandfather insisted on shoveling his driveway into his eighties"

That's why he lived that long. He probably worked hard all his life, and continuing to work that hard kept his heart and mind going.; 12/9/09, 3:37 PM
MadisonMan said...: but this morning there was some kind of problem with the water/sewer line so they did it about 6 am

Yes, I have friends on Highland who were dry this morning because of that.

The plow came by once on my street. I think when I get back home in 40 minutes -- after stopping at Trader Joes, it'll be all plowed in again. Not happy about that, but eh, what can you do.; 12/9/09, 3:42 PM
Original Mike said...: God is punishing us. Better than being turned into a pillar of salt, I suppose.; 12/9/09, 3:56 PM
Rockport Conservative said...: At a time like this it is time to start singing "It's so Nice to have a man around the house.."; 12/9/09, 4:36 PM
Michael Haz said...: Hope that you had some energy left for some quality snow shoe time. Fresh, deep snow is the perfect condition.; 12/9/09, 5:01 PM
Ann Althouse said...: So we XC skied up and down the street in front of the car, then threw the skis in the car and went over to Picnic Point. I have now skied approximately 1 mile, and I'm getting the hang of it, haven't fallen yet, and I'm looking to get more relaxed and fluid.; 12/9/09, 5:05 PM
kentuckyliz said...: I miss that kind of snow.

We had the 60 mph winds today.; 12/9/09, 5:16 PM
Jen said...: Escape from Wisconsin.; 12/9/09, 5:27 PM
David said...: "I'm getting the hang of it, haven't fallen yet, and I'm looking to get more relaxed and fluid."

So glad it doesn't suck for you. Meade will be happy.; 12/9/09, 5:39 PM
Meade said...: I'm looking to get more relaxed and fluid.

Okay! Cab or Tremens?; 12/9/09, 5:40 PM
Rich B said...: Digging out? Sort of Jeremy's permanent job. Our Sisyphus.; 12/9/09, 7:21 PM
former law student said...: Cab or Tremens?

My motto, whenever possible, is "Think Globally, Drink Locally."

http://aleasylum.com/cms/index.php?option=com_beerontap&id=11&Itemid=57

http://www.wiswine.com/; 12/9/09, 8:51 PM