“Who said they sure would like to have some snow?”
That’s the same one who insisted, “It sure is a pretty snow.”
But definitely not the ranch manager who had to count every cow in six different pastures. Then make sure everyone that had already calved was with their young’un tagging behind.
Nor was there any excitement assisting that second calf heifer having trouble birthing down in the draw. She found what seemed like a good place unaware that the snow was going to drift in right there.
Anyway, those praying for moisture got their answer in partiality whether enough to get the brome growing. Importance of tame grass fertilization has been previously elaborated. But with all of the “bucks out of the hip pocket” stagnant in uphill gumbo some green should follow melting.
None of those hardships were experienced during youthful years when scooping snow from sidewalks was main concern.
Whenever snow came, all of it had to be cleared off in front of the grocery store before school. Looking back, that really wasn’t as big a job as it seemed six decades ago.
Actually, Main Street frontage was only about 50-feet more-less wide and maybe 15-feet deep. If there was just a skiff of white stuff a heavy broom with strong strokes made the task a whiz.
Still when accumulation was several inches up to a half-foot or more, work with the grain shovel was dreaded. Fortunately, Dad had a long handled snow-shovel-of-sort so he’d help when the kid acted too tired.
Biggest task was scooping snow off the behind the store alley sidewalk connecting the building to the north. Only maybe 12-feet wide, the alley was 60-feet or more long and quite a task to clear.
By the time the snow was scooped from the alley’s east end to the curbside street there was major accumulation.
Even when it was freezing, not too heavy coats were needed with personal temperament increasing the heat. Hands and toes were still always cold.
Biggest problem was when it continued to snow, the job had to be repeated numerous times during a day.
That’s the excuse for not keeping sidewalks and driveways cleared of snow nowadays.
Reminded of Job 37:7: “He orders the snow, ‘Blanket the earth.’ No one can escape the weather, it’s there.”
+++ALLELUIA+++
XVI–11–3-13-2022
