Winter in New England

Greetings from Boston

In December, 2007 we had a record amount of snow. It is now January 13th and another storm is coming in with a predicted foot of snow for Boston. So what does this mean to hardy Bostonians? A lot of snow shoveling that is what.

The last time I remember so much snow was in 1994. By the end of the winter, the towns had sent out their snow plows 14 times! The total amount of snow recorded at Logan airport for the entire winter was 9.0.3” inches. To non-Americans this translates (I hope) to 2.29 meters. As you moved away from the coast the snow was considerably more. Towns are very careful how they spend their snow plow funds so they only send out their plows when there is a lot of snow, thus you know we had more that 14 snow days.

I personally wish we could get all the snow in one storm like the Blizzard of 1978. We would be inconvenienced just once. So much snow fell during that blizzard that the government ordered all roads closed – only plows and doctors were allowed on the streets. I think it must have been fun to be stuck at home but I had left the day before and was sitting in London watching the pictures on the news and being truly amazed.

But back to the shoveling issue; shoveling out a long driveway is not fun but we have to get to our cars and also clear the pavement so that folks can walk on it safely. You also have to shovel around your mailbox and hydrant (should you have one) and enlist help to shovel out your elderly neighbor(s) if you have any. Or should I say this is how it was done in 1994. In 2007, we do not seem as neighborly. Many folks don’t bother to clean the pavement outside their house so that folks are forced to walk in the road which makes matters even worse for drivers trying to navigate bad road conditions. Anyway, shoveling so much snow leaves one weary. Doing this over and over and each time trying to lift the snow ever higher over the top of mounting snow banks makes one exhausted and snappish.

For those of you who live in warm climates, you have to realize that it is imperative to shovel the snow promptly otherwise, the cold temperature causes it to freeze. Once it becomes ice, you are in big trouble. In December alone I had two friends who had bad accidents. One broke her ankle and one had severe head concussion both from falling on ice.

Adding to the feeling of hopelessness are the snowplows. No sooner do you clear your way out of the house, then the plows come through to clear the streets. Of course, they plow the street snow right on top of the path you just cleared. This snow is wet and packed down by the plow blade, so it is heavy and a *&^% to lift. The plows come through several times, so you have repeated opportunities to mutter *&^%.

So remember, if you are trying to contact someone in an office or business, or even your own town’s highway department on a snow day, they have just gone through everything you just have and their energy is sapped too. Be polite and remember that we are only three weeks into the winter season. Happy snow plowing, remember to bend your knees when you are shoveling, and to exercise all year – it helps.