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Blizzard on its way. Oh, Boy!
I got back home yesterday after visiting my father and siblings. Was supposed to be a three day trip, but an itsy bitsy storm on its third day made travel home too treacherous. My cat sitter didn't even venture out. Made for a very vocal cat.
Do you ever write whole paragraphs, then read what you've written? Consider yourself lucky that you didn't read about the reasons for my kitty's special diet.
Anyway, 6" of untouched snow greeted me upon my return yesterday afternoon. Not a big deal for my SUV, so into the dry garage we went. Figured I could scrape 6" off the driveway in a flash. I have three shovels. Two ergonomic, though only one still has its handle. And one metal one with battered edge, for ice duty.
Three hours later - one very clean driveway. (It deserves this BIG picture.). One hour in, realizing I could give myself a heart attack, or at least a trip to the chiropractor, using my shovel for the job, I turned to the snow blower. Took a deep breath. Why do I fear that thing? Pulled it out, found the directions, filled the tank with 50:1 mix, plugged it in, turned the key on, released the choke, primed the carburetor, pushed the start button, five seconds on, five seconds off, a max of ten times. Nothing. Then let it sit for 40 minutes to go through this little ritual again; sometimes the starter is frozen. Returned to pushing snow, kind of half lifting, half smushing it at the edge. Came back to the snow blower.
Oh! You're supposed to turn the key way, way, way over to the right! THEN push the start button.
My electric company has been kind enough to tell us we better count on being without power for a spell when this blizzard rolls through tonight.
Good to be home. I can catch up on your blogs! I will supply you all with a blizzard report tomorrow morning. (I did pull the generator out and plug it in, to charge its electric start. And I did fill my second emergency gas container. You think the snow blower fills me with fear.)
enjoy our day
Wishing you fine times
They must really expect a bad storm your way. Our weather/news report said you'll be measuring snow in feet, not inches. Our state has already sent power company people and equipment on its way east to help with the power outrages they expect.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather shovel than use a snow blower but sometimes you need it. Stay warm!!!! Hope you have a way to do that without power.
After 9 p.m. - no driving allowed!
DeleteI do hope we keep power. I have enough gas ( 6 gallons) for 12-14 hours of generator power, and my furnace is tied in once I throw a switch. Yay. Heat for 14 hours!
A snow blower would kind of scare me too--my push lawn mower always did. I expected the blade to come loose, fly through the back and cut off my foot at the ankle. You outta find someone that would clear your driveway for a few bucks--it would probably be less expensive than a visit to the Chiropractor and I know, less expensive than a visit to the Cardiac Floor of the hospital!
ReplyDeleteOh! I wish it was a few bucks. Pickup trucks with snow plows make out like bandits - $60 per foot of snow. For that, I'll do it myself, and hopefully stop short of that visit to the hospital.
DeleteDon't ever see kids shoveling round here - it's like they all disappear - what's with kids these days?
The $60 per foot of snow sounds like a price someone threw out because they don't want the job. (Yes, some snow plowers do that.) Even if the was a price to do the drive an entire season that would still pretty steep based on what plowers around here get. For example a double wide,100ft driveway won't cost more than $700 for the season. I have a 50 foot and pay $400 a season and my guy is on the high side compared to other who bid the job. It's rare when kids come around here, too, wanting to shovel.
DeleteYou know, I'll bet you're right, because the guy who plowed my driveway lived on the other side of town. I'll ask my neighbor what she pays; her driveway is about the same size as mine. For now, I see myself using my snow blower until I'm not strong enough to manage it. Think of all the money I'm saving to go out for breakfast!
DeleteIt's always best to get a plower who has other customers in the area. They have to be licensed in every township they plow in and those licenses aren't cheap---$400 around here, so it doesn't pay them to have customers spread out.
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