Happy home, home on the range on Monday, March 2, 2015?
Not really.
Allow me to explain, from the Little Bitty in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood. I took the liberty of using my iPad Air for the first Photo 101 essay to lay out the extent of my discontent. Topic: Home. Still surrounded by: Snow.
Our beloved rescue mutt Ellie B aka Dogamous Pyle stirred me to be released for her morning ritual off the back porch at 6:58 a.m. Even she seems reluctant to get out in the snow.
The dog does what she must, tracking through the rut she's worn through the accumulated snow of winter 2014-15.
After I let her back inside, I grab a cup of home-dripped Dunkin' and ask my dear wife Karen what time she needs to pull her Mazda out of the driveway to leave to start her week at Syracuse Media Group.
Her answer tells me how much time I have to work in my office — the living room recliner — before setting out in my winter gear.
Karen has designated 8:35 a.m. as departure time.
I start the cars, make sure the defrosters are on front and rear, and start with the brush at 8:15 a.m.
The cars are cleared at 8:26 a.m., and I quickly grab the shovel and get to clearing a path so MDW Karen can walk safely to her driver’s side, and clear the snow from behind the Mazda, too. With merely two or three inches fallen overnight, Good Neighbor Tim has not pulled out his snowblower. When he does, he takes care of the area behind Karen’s car for me.
With a bit of hustle, I even had a moment to spare to walk inside the side porch door, grab Karen’s wheelie case that contains her work laptop, and load it into the Mazda for her.
The back of the driveway was cleared in time for her to back out into the street. There were no illegally parked cars to make her maneuvering more difficult, either. In fact, there were no parked cars in the way at all.
As a measuring stick of how high the snow banks are around my driveway, I placed the full-sized shovels at the rear of my Chevy Cruze when I was done tossing this morning’s snow up top. My shoulders are tired from a winter’s work.
While watching “Today” this morning before my shoveling stint, the topic of Boston’s wretched winter again came up, and they put a graphic on screen as they lamented how that city has been slammed with 103 1/2 inched of snow this winter.
Ouch.
Syracuse had totaled 106.8 inches of snow by the time the Sunday Post-Standard had gone to press. That leaves us 16.9 inches short of reaching the seasonal average. Hey, look. We’ve passed Buffalo in the race for the Golden Snowball.
Wait. There is some more good news today.
It was all the way up to 26 degrees, and my driveway was shoveled by 9:06 a.m.
Are you feeling at home today? How would you have taken these pictures differently? Does March snow make you feel safe and secure or nervous and edgy?
I love the photo essay, Mark! But I have to ask… why do you need two different type of shovels? I’ve only ever used a straight handled one… what does the curvy handled one do differently?
LikeLike
Thanks for the kind words, Rachel. OK, answer: The curvy shovel is newer, a ergonomic design meant to be kinder on your back. And it is. I keep my old red shovel around because it is lighter, and its honored 10 years of use have made it sharper and sleeker to dig in at places the new ergo blade is too big, cumbersome and to reach and plain too heavy to use. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aww, you’re so loyal to your tools. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m exhausted just reading that, Chum. You two need a vacation from the snow. 😦
LikeLike
You’re not kidding, Red. Isn’t my snow routine a chore? The banks are so high!
LikeLike
It seems miserable. .. 😦
LikeLike
I am hoping it will all come to an end, but my friend, Brenda who writes poetry pointed out they have had a ‘mere 8 feet of snow’ while Maine has had 11 feet of snow. I am not sure of our totals, but really am glad we have had only two to three feet at at time, so it has been manageable, Mark!
Ellie B. seems to be hurrying a bit in this photo, does she like it better later in the day when the sun is shining? My dogs enjoyed snow most of the time, for whatever reason dogs like to sniff around and look for mice, groundhogs, squirrels and chipmunks. Their noses (you have caught this before, I believe) look so cute with snow on the top of them. Ellie B. makes me smile. as does other people’s dogs in their home photos.
LikeLike
Ellie B seems to like to get back inside quick in the morning, Robin. I think it is because first I let her out to do her a.m. business, and then I feed her breakfast.
LikeLike
Wow that’s like a gym workout for 10 men I am super impressed and scared by the amount of that snow x
LikeLike
It’s too much, isn’t it, Justine? I mean, should I have to shovel that much? I’m just me!
LikeLike
You’ve got to hang in there, brother. Not much longer. Already, the clock springs ahead this weekend. The days will suddenly get longer. Can a backyard bbq be far behind?
Do those bendy snow shovels really work?
LikeLike
Yes, the early arrival of Daylight Savings Time is a spirit lifter, Mark, but because I get up early and now it’ll be dark again for a couple weeks, it’s all done with mirrors, really. The days are getting longer but it sure isn’t because of DST. See, I’m still grumpy from this dang winter. OK, I’ll think about throwing a steak on the grill in, say, six weeks. 🙂
The bendy shovel is good for my back, I’ve found, until this height of bank forces me to do the big and high toss. Then there’s no good shovel for my back.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Anita & Jaye Dawes and commented:
Lovely photos, I love snow, but maybe not this much?
LikeLike
Ugh….. that’s all I got…..
Well, not really.
Spring really is on it’s way.
Can I just say another thing…
How nice of you to go out and get your amazing wife’s car ready for work.
Spring is coming my friend…. it really is!
LikeLike
Spring really is coming, I know. The man on the TV just stood in front of a big 31 and said “1 to 3 inches of snow today.” Yep.” That 31 looks pretty good, Nancy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m not sure about March snow. I’m pretty sick of this winter. Reading this post, however, (under a pile of comforters) is making me feel quite cozy indeed.
LikeLike
Yeah, Wormy. Three cheers for the Northeast, right?! May you enjoy your comfort(ers).
LikeLike
Oh lord, Mark! I’m sorry, that looks miserable 😦
LikeLike
Isn’t is quite the sight, Audrey. I’ve been dealing with this for three months. We had it fairly easy until just after Christmas. Then this started, and there’s been no melt. Jangled nerves!
LikeLike
So according to the graphic, Boston’s snowfall is pretty much right on average… just a tad high. Rather than spreading it out, they’ve just got most of it in a single month. Interesting, because I’ve been having the debate with my Dad (and others) about how this is the worst winter like, ever, and I was pretty adamant that in fact, things weren’t as out of whack as they seemed…. it’s just the timing of the snowfall has been pretty funky.
I also looked for the mid-March spike in that 92-93 snowfall total. The Storm of the Century, March 13, 1993. I remember it well… on The Weather Channel, anyway.
LikeLike
That graphic is just for Syracuse snowfall, Bill. I have a feeling that Boston’s chart would have this winter being the high spike in things, much like 92-93 is for us here. In that storm, I lived out in the village of Morrisville, and I woke up in the morning and hit the automatic garage door opener, shovel in hand, and watched the door go up, and up, and up, and had to wait until there was a foot left up top until I could see sky above the piled snow. I put the shovel back against the wall and called work and said I wouldn’t be in.
LikeLike
Duh! Now I’m trying to figure out how I read that as being Boston’s snowfall in the first place. I blame snowblindness…
If only you’d have had Neighbor Tim next door to you in 1993, you’d have been able to get to work. 8 feet of snow is nothing for his little snowblower that could….
LikeLike
I needed to get somebody with a real life, big boy, yellow-like-you-see-on-TV, farm-ready Caterpiller backhoe to dig out my driveway. It was an L-shaped driveway of great length that would have taken my 27 hours to clear with my shovel, and Tim 2.7 days with his snowblower that could. You are excused for your snowblindness, Bill. This winter!
LikeLike
Whine away, Mark. You have a sympathizer in me. I wouldn’t take your pictures any differently, nosiree. We’re doing ok with snow and it’s been bizarro cold fewer days than last year. March is the snowiest month so I’m expecting lots, but that’s ok because we don’t have near as much as you do. But winter is still bad. Boo winter. Kudos to you for being such an awesome Shovel Man. (it’s a bird, it’s a plane, ….) I think that should be your SuperHero name 😀
LikeLike
Shovel Man. I want movie rights. Marvel Universe is running out of characters, Liz! Good one. 🙂
LikeLike
I get more nervous in the spring Mark. I prefer snow to the storms and tornado warnings. Though if I had my druthers I’d go for summer and fall all year round.
LikeLike
Tornado warnings must really be stressful. We really don’t get those, knock on wood, my buddy Colleen.
LikeLike
They terrify me. I don’t really know why. Probably because we have so many of them. I’m glad you don’t have them MBM, they are scary stuff.
LikeLike
The day when I went to see Springsteen in Cleveland there was one, and I was scared silly, MBC.
LikeLike
I have prayed through many a warnings MBM. Ferociously and fearfully praying…..
LikeLike
Do you and DH David have a basement?
LikeLike
Yes we do. A must for anywhere I live MBM!!!!
LikeLike
That’s great for the tornado warning, mb Colleen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Moved from Miami to Greensboro. Snowed about 5 inches last week. I had not seen snow since in Buffalo, Christmas 1985 and before that Newark in 1960.
LikeLike
Big shocker after all that time, wasn’t it, Carl? At least you’re at heart a northerner.
LikeLike
Yep. NY YANKEES FOREVER
LikeLike
Mark, you’re a great husband. I’m sure your wife appreciates you. In comparison to you, I go out to my wife’s car in the morning and turn on the a.c. for her. We live in Las Vegas. Today it’s freezing, hovering just around 60 at the moment. But the weekend is predicted to be in the mid 70’s!
LikeLike
Good man, Emilio, cooling off our wife’s car for her! To each his own path of fulfilment, my friend. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m impressed Mark – you are able to see some blacktop in that driveway! Spring is almost here. 🙂
LikeLike
OK, I did get it down to blacktop. Thanks, Wayne. 🙂
LikeLike
Mark! I have a great idea. Move out to the San Francisco Bay area in 1.5 years! That’s the plan I’m working on. Then, we can be friends in person.
LikeLike
I like your plan, Ann. I am playing the lottery as my part of it.
LikeLike
Nice of you to be so attentive to your wife’s travels in the snow. No doubt you are sick of winter. Hey, BTW, I have a Chevy Cruz too!
LikeLike
I can clear the snow more easily than MDW Karen, I think, Marissa.
I like my Chevy Cruz. You?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh yeah, I love it. I actually just got mine. I say it’s a magic car just because it has so much more technology than anything I’ve ever had before. It’s bright red.
LikeLike
Bright red is hot, Marissa. Let’s see if the police love it, too. Careful with the speed limits out there.
Yes, there is plenty of technology on mine, too, even though my sky blue baby turns 4 in June.
LikeLike
Thanks for the tip. That never occurred to me. No incidents so far!
LikeLike
Studies have been done. My dear wife Karen’s car, too …
LikeLike
Oh boy!
LikeLike
Rain in Southern California since last night which is great. So snow in our mountains. Wishing you Spring soon. Miss seeing you on my blog. 🙂
LikeLike
I must drop by again, Deborah. I think you stopped coming through on my email notifications! I’ll check. Dagnabbit!! I’m glad for your California rains and mountain snow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mark, a wise man once said to me that it is not enough for a man to love his wife, he must cherish her. And OMG, you sure do that! I love that you clean of Karen’s car, warm it up, load it with her belongings, etc., – you’re a good husband! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLike
I do cherish my dear wife Karen, Diana. You show it with actions and deeds, right? Thank you for noticing, my friend. 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve actually had a pretty tame winter so far wrt snow here in Ottawa. but it has been cold. That being said, we usually get a whack of snow in March – some of our biggest storms , one year we got over 100 cms (about 40 inches) in one storm. But the snow seldom stays long. It is not as depressing as snow in Dec or Jan when you know it will be there for months. One year we actually got temps between 25 and 30 Celsius for a week in March ( 77-86 F). That was weird. Anyway it is March, and whatever Mother Nature does, it will be temporary. Today it is sunny and -4 C (about 24 F) – quite warm.
hope the rest of your winter goes easy on ya Mark. Great Pics.
LikeLike
Thanks, Paul. I had to grump today. You were a good listener and put things in perspective with a Canadian touch.
LikeLike
I shudder at these pics. We did have to scrape ice off our windshields this weekend, but never ever as long as I live, will we ever touch a shovel to snow. That looks awful. We’re near freezing, then it jumps to 71 tomorrow and then back to freezing for the next week. Bipolar indeed. Surely your biceps are really big, after all that shoveling?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have thrown more snow higher and farther this winter, Kerbey, than Hanz and Franz. To back up a day and a post.
It is awful. That’s why I created a photo essay to whine about it. 😦
LikeLiked by 2 people
Keep the faith, Mark! It’s in the 30s here and feels positively balmy with the sun. We are getting there. Lots of character building this winter–for dogs and humans:).
LikeLike
Yes, Kay. I am a better person for this winter, and Ellie B is up for rescue mutt of the year. Oy.
LikeLike
We are notorious for having both winter and severe storms in March. We are predicted to get heavy thunderstorms tomorrow, then 6-8 inches of snow on Wednesday.
LikeLike
That’s a big swing, thunderstorms to 6-8 inches of snow, Apple Pie. I don’t want either here tomorrow or Wednesday. Be safe there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ellie B’s tracks in the back remind me of walking to school on top of the frozen snow. But we never had more than two plus feet of the stuff. Good luck with the melt off when it happens. May it be slow not swift. Floods are no fun.
LikeLike
I am worried about the melt, Fannie. We do not own a boat. And I can’t swim really well, either.
Ellie B’s tracks are now in a circle. The dog has even stopped running around haphazardly, the snow is so deep. Sigh.
LikeLike
If I were in your shoes I’d be really fed up of winter. The photos are great – if I’d have taken them? Well I would have let Steve go outside and do that 🙂
LikeLike
Your dry sense of humor wins me over again, Rachel. 🙂 Thanks for being able to make me chuckle today, my friend.
LikeLike
My pleasure! Hope you get some signs of spring soon.
LikeLike
There you go being chivalrous and loving to Mrs. B before she goes to work!! 😊 The pics really do tell all. You guys did get it bad. Sigh. Hope it all melts by June!
LikeLike
We’ll be in the Cape eating and drinking with another Mrs. B and Mr. B in June. 🙂
LikeLike
EEEEEKS! I don’t blame you! Increible series…..
LikeLike
Thanks, Cindy. Quite the contrast of what you always post from your part of the world. 😦
LikeLike
I’m enjoying all these pictures of snow, but then we’ve had exactly none here. But I’m with you, I’m sick of winter, too. Snow or no snow…
LikeLike
It doesn’t take snow to be sick of winter, Sonya. Is it really cold? Where are you?
LikeLike
It’s not really cold, either. I’m in Swansea, Wales. It’s around 45 during the day, but it’s been quite windy for the last couple of days, so it feels more like 35. It’s been raining sideways, as well…
LikeLike
Sideways cold rain is no fun, Sonya. Glad to meet you, from Swanwea, Wales.
LikeLike
Please let us know whether it is May or June when the snow melts, Mark. EGAD!!!
LikeLike
I know, right, Barbara? I told you it was BAD!
LikeLike
No much different from here, snow everywhere!
LikeLike
Oh, boy, Elizabeth. Where is that?
LikeLike
Ontario, Canada!
LikeLike
Pretty close to here, Elizabeth, really.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We haven’t gotten nearly as much snow as we got last winter, but it’s been just as cold. Yay, Polar Vortex!
LikeLike
That was last year’s buzzword. This winter has been colder here, Scott.
LikeLike
Good pics lad. We only have a foot or so and I’m tired of all of this thing called winter. Good luck. Spring is on the way. Or so they say.
LikeLike
So they say, Benson. With no thaw in January or February to melt things a bit, I’m having a hard time believing it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
First, you are a great husband. Second. wow! 106 inches?! I no longer feel sorry for Boston.
LikeLike
I figure the snow-clearing falls in my half of the life-sharing list, Cate. Thanks for your kind words. Yes, Boston got a lot of snow this winter, and little by little, we caught up and bypassed it.
LikeLike
I live in West Monroe…totally feel your pain!
LikeLike
Yes, you’re just down the figurative block and literal highway. It’s been terrible without a January or February melt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it’s been a tough winter
LikeLike
I think the pics are great as they are, they really tell the story. I’m just biding my time this march, and knowing spring is coming )
LikeLike
Have a great week, March-bider-Beth. I hope Ann Arbor weather allows it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s in the 40s)
LikeLike
Braggart!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hah!
LikeLike
Ugh. Same here…
LikeLike
I hear your ugh and raise an oy. Where’s here, Katalina?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oy and eek to you, sir.
I am in Canada.
THough I was reminded this morning I could be in worse parts of Canada… or Boston, I suppose.
LikeLike
Glad to meet you, Katalina in Canada!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Great photos. But, I agree with Eliie B, I would have to hibernate until after the thaw!
LikeLike
She goes out because she must! Thanks for dropping in, nonnymoose2014.
LikeLike
Great pictures Mark! Wow! You are in for a tropical heat wave! It will be in the low 70’s here for a few days and then…. another cold front sweeps down from the north bringing freezing temps to Pensacola, Florida again. It has been a long, cold winter for all of us!
LikeLike
It has been just that, Colleen. All things are relative in all places. ;-(
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just wow, Mark. You’re still short of the seasonal average. What? I guess that means for the whole winter, right? These photos are incredible. You’ll have to come by my blog later this week when I share photos of a recent walk I took. I don’t think you’re going to be happy. What a chore to get to work! Great photos. I don’t think I would have taken them any differently.
LikeLike
Yes, Amy, we need a foot more to make average for a whole winter. Ugh.
I will check out your walk and be jealous, I bet.
Thanks for your kind words on the photos. The iPhone 6 is great. I’m trying to sharpen my eye and techniques with this Photo 101 WP class.
LikeLiked by 1 person