Shovelling 2014
Matt Seinberg

I am not a fan of snowstorms, as I've mentioned in the past. My favorite seasons are spring and fall. I also don't like extreme heat. My father on the other hand likes cold weather, but not dealing with the snow. I asked him, years ago, why he moved to Syracuse, NY, the lake effect snow capital of New York.

He didn't give me much of an answer, other than he likes living upstate, and it's more affordable than living on Long Island. I'll give him that point. Syracuse is a dark, dingy, depressing city in the winter, and not that much better the rest of the year.

Anyway, we just had our first snowstorm of the season that luckily didn't turn into a blizzard because the sustained winds weren't high enough. The snow was light and powdery, so the drifts were high.

Since I have children old enough to handle a snow shovel, it is their duty and obligation to do the majority of the snow removal around our house. I first sent Michelle to clean the back stoop and stairs to make a pathway to the garage; then and clean in front of the door so it wouldn't all blow inside when I opened it.

Then she had to go around to the front of the house, and shovel out the front of the driveway gate so I could open it and get the snow blower out to do the driveway and sidewalk.

Melissa and Marcy did the front stoop and walkway, and then Marcy cleaned off the cars. Her back is paying for it today. I always told her that we had kids just to do the stuff we no longer want, or can do. At my age, there is no way I am doing any sort of shoveling.

We always read in the newspaper about someone over 40 or 50 shoveling, and dying of a heart attack. That is not going to be me. I don't drink or smoke, but other health issues will not allow me to be stupid and do that amount of shoveling. That is why I have kids and a snow blower.