Snow Scenes From An Italian Backyard

OK already, so it IS pretty...but the middle of my back thinks the video camera should have been pointed at the driveway, where a normal 20 minute job took 90 this morning thanks to ice chunks below and a snow thrower purchased during a kinder, gentler time.



I'll be among the first to admit to being unprepared for a foot of new snow, on top of the seven to eight we still had lounging around over the past couple weeks. Nature Girl and I had been discussing the potential of purchasing a new snow blower fPor her mother in Saginaw, who declined the offer.

She likes paying her neighbor pal to clear the way. After this morning, I would've liked that as well.

The Sears model works fine when snowfall is three to four inches, taking a nice wide bite and making quick work of the driveway and sidewalks. This is a different story, with so much snow each pass takes just three to four inch swipes. No fun this morning doing it the old-fashioned way, either -- especially less than a month after surgery (don't tell the doctor) putting the flabby abs to work.

ADDED: thanks to David Barnhardt of the Akron Zoo for the photos of the residents...here's a slideshow:



At least the clock is ticking down on heading to Arizona for the new-look Cactus League Indians February 28th...