Oh, the sadness. That batch wasn't light, it wasn't fluffy. It was soggy from the ice melt and heavy. Our house sits right at the limit for the snowplow around the circle. It will always end up right where it did. It's so incredibly frustrating. I've called the city, we've had long discussions about it. Fact is, if we want out of our driveway or the mail delivered before these snow drifts melt, it needed moved.
Move it I did. Superwoman mentality is reminding me of my age yesterday and today. A couple of Aleve and a few slow days have definitely been on the agenda. On the flip side of that, my sweet Hubs was able to safely get out of the driveway on his way to work yesterday - so thankful my little Subaru is AWD. I have my own opinions on that, but evidently, they will forever collide with decision makers.
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| Belle is not interested in the cold at all! |
Sunday, while resting between shoveling sessions, I was browsing social media. I gotta tell you, I definitely don't understand people, I'd like to say anymore, but I guess it's always been there. I mean I understand that most folks don't cook at home anymore. I get it, when we both worked outside of the home we rarely ate at home. I also understand that when you haven't got things to do, due to the weather it can lead to some serious stir crazy ideas. I completely understand being lonely without someone to talk with or hang out with. I mean, we are programmed to work, to be on the go, to always be doing something. Rest and calm have been demonized in our society for so very long, that we feel guilty when we pause. A forced pause is even more frustrating and anxiety inducing. I'm guilty as charged, it is definitely something I am working on, not very successfully, but I am working on it.
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| Beau is on the impatient bus, cold doesn't bother him at all |
I do not understand the level of ugly. The people that were defending closures and folks staying home safe and not getting in the way of the road crews if they could help it, sure got beat up. Sometimes even by the shop owners, harshly justifying their reasons for opening in a snow storm.
Many times over my corporate work life, I was made to feel I didn't matter. That my life and safety were second to profit and others wants. I've worked out in the brutal cold making it safe for the people that couldn't "safely go to work" to be able to come to my place of employment for their personal wants, I can't even call it needs. I have driven to and from work in dangerous blizzard like conditions so that others weren't inconvenienced from their leisure activities. The decisions being made by folks that didn't have that 25 minute drive turn into 3.5 hours of pure terror.
So to hear people that are always shouting from rooftops about safety, caring, and protecting others automatically shift into the "Why are you inconveniencing me? What do you mean you aren't open - I have the day off. I pay for this or that, I have a right to be there whenever I want." Frankly, it's mind boggling.
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| after being shoveled twice on Saturday |
Did I go out yesterday, yep. After the city had said it was safe to travel and go about your life. On Saturday morning before the storm even rolled in I saw a car slide out of control on a flyover ramp. They were facing the wrong direction on the highway when they finally came to a full stop. A flyover ramp that was easily 20 ft or higher over the interstate. Last winter someone went over a guard rail on a bridge after hitting the snow bank when they lost control. I remember reading all the praising of that wonderful person, how it shouldn't have happened, etc. I felt so sorry in my soul for their loved ones, family and friends. All while wondering if they were rushing to a job, that demanded their presence with zero concern to their safety.
If you have to eat a sandwich instead of a fancy meal. I'm sorry. The person making it has a life also, they probably want to continue living it. And for the shop owners losing their tempers at people voicing concerns... So happy that you live in the same building as your shop. Bet all those folks searching for somewhere to go, don't. So who are they endangering getting there?
As for the folks not able to go to the movies, shopping, the fitness center etc... Here's an idea to get your workout in, entertain yourself and also help your fellow man. Every social media site has people that are elderly, disabled in someway, a single parent that cannot leave their children alone for very long (you get the picture right?) that are pleading for someone to shovel their driveways and walks. Asking where the kiddo's are that used to beat down their doors every snowfall with their shovels in hand asking for $10 - $20 to shovel a walk and driveway. I can assure you after doing our drive, walk and then the road to exit our home. I am 100% aware that I am now 60, but I am not regretting missing my daily walk, because I definitely got a full workout.
I understand that landscaping businesses are looking for work, not at all trying to take that away from anyone, but the prices people are quoting to clear a sidewalk and driveway blows my mind. If I hadn't caused some pain (due to other health issues of my own) I would have shoveled a few of my older neighbors walks/drives for them. I wouldn't have charged them. I would have done it.
Driving down to our daughters house yesterday, I saw all the places where the sidewalks didn't get shoveled. I completely considered going and doing those walks to connect the sidewalk for everyone walking their pets. Physically, I can't. I will not harm myself further. But if you are looking for a solid workout and a feel good community service opportunity....
I simply don't understand why people can't help each other. Bond together, provide support. Instead we attack those online or in person questioning why their lives are less important than the ones asking them to risk them.
Sadly, some of those people asking the questions will also be the ones showing up. Maybe they can't afford the unpaid day, or maybe they can't risk losing their jobs because the bosses simply didn't understand. Maybe they drive an older vehicle or rely on public transportation and getting there is simply impossible and beyond unsafe. Maybe they live on a street that will not be plowed. My friend lives in the city - check that - in the CITY, yet their street will never be plowed. It's not deemed important to get those small side roads, except by those that live there.
My head is spinning, my anger level is a bit high - I cannot fathom such a self-centered world. I get it, we are all conditioned to getting what we want when we want it. I was going to buy something on Amazon (yes, I know) the other day, but when I saw that it would take me over a week to get it, I hesitated (it gave me pause to think). I'm not used to waiting, my impatience definitely leads me to buy things that when I think, I might not buy.
I didn't really need what I went to pick up yesterday, I wanted it, but I didn't need it. I wasn't angry that I had to wait in line for almost 15 minutes, I was simply thankful for the folks that were there. I was grateful to be able to safely get where I was going and be able to buy what I wanted.
Driving there Hubs and I watched a car literally pull out right in front of a massive snowplow. Cut them off. I was so thankful for that snowplow drivers attention. He had the right of way - on many fronts - but he was able to stop, the folks that were behind him were able to adjust and stop or pull to the other lane. And the self-absorbed person was able to safely drive away. Why are people so detached from any form of personal responsibility? Who would have been sued if those steps hadn't happened just as they did?
Whew... you can tell I'm fussy. I am trying to give grace, but I am fussy. Today is another day, the sun is out, the temperatures will move above zero. I thought about walking my babies that are getting a bit stir crazy, but I heard the snowplow come through dropping more salt. Too dangerous for their paws and those sidewalks are still at least 7" deep with snow. So we will continue to have patience.
As I am bringing down my temper, granted a great deal of it stems back to decades of being less important than others in these situations. I can completely empathize with the ones pleading for someone to see their value, I can understand their fears and sadness at being over looked. I have always maintained that if it is bad enough for others to be off work to keep them safe, then it should be bad enough to simply stay home.
Those poor essential workers (God Bless them!!), the hospital workers, the road crews, the emergency crews, police, fire fighters, you know who I am talking about, they need for more of us to listen. To make their lives easier in an already stressful situation. They didn't want to risk their lives going out either, but they did. Why not support them as do a task that the majority of us opt out of?
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| enjoy the snow... |
Okay... it's time for me to back away. It's time for me to work on some activities and projects. And wait for a safer day to walk my pups. After I call the repair shop and get a wiper arm and blade for Hubs truck... seems it was cold enough for it to fail and snap in two. That's a first for both of us.
much love,
b
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