Another Day, Another Snow Storm

They keep coming: the snows, I mean. This one came with a bit of freezing rain. Thankfully, we did not get the brunt of the icy precipitation as some other areas. The power went out near us, but ours stayed on.

When I went out to shovel the walk yesterday, this is how the driveway looked. The snow was up to a foot deep, was the heavy type, and had a crusty layer on top. Ugh. And I don't know how well you can see it in the photo, but we were quite socked in by the pile that the plows deposited at the end of the drive. That would have been a heavy load to move.

But I knew that I didn't have to move it because we hired a contractor to do the work for us again this year. No sooner had I cleared the short walkway than I saw the tractor coming up the street and implored Sue to pass my camera.

It was a sight for sore eyes, and I mean that quite literally.

Last year, just about this time, I experienced lightning bolts in my right eye after a session with the shovel.

Flashes

When the vitreous gel inside your eye rubs or pulls on the retina, you may see what look like flashing lights or lightning streaks. You may have experienced this same sensation if you have ever been hit in the eye and seen "stars".

The flashes of light can appear off and on for several weeks or months. As we grow older, it is more common to experience flashes. If you notice the sudden appearance of light flashes, you should visit your ophthalmologist immediately because it could mean that the retina has been torn.

 link from Michigan U

My flashes have never gone away, so although I like to shovel (in moderation), we have contracted the job since then. They do our drive after about 4cm/1.5in of snowfall and when the town plows in the driveway. Yesterday, I was thrilled to see the machine lumbering up the road.

It was soon doing the job.

Two passes with the blower and one with the plough, and a job that would have taken me much time and exertion was done.

I walked out into the street and took a few more pics. The first looks back at the driveway; the second up the street.

This one looks across the street at the fire hydrant. Do you see why they attach yellow arms to the hydrants in winter?

Lots of people were out shovelling as was this neighbour. We had a little chat. Being poor on names, I don't even know his, but his wife, Rosie, is she who also minds our grandkids, and we chat often while waiting for the school bus. I decided I liked this b&w rendering the best. He looks happy, and indeed, snow does have the ability to make us feel happy early in winter and especially around Christmas. It is not always so later in the winter, however.

We have always had a white Christmas living here, but it usually isn't this white. One year, it had to snow on Christmas Day to bring us white, but that is pretty darn unusual.