Local ordinances in most urban areas dictate sidewalks must be free of snow within 24 hours after a snowstorm. Local papers post regular notices reminding people of this responsibility. On my street some people choose to ignore the duty, others are unable to fulfill the obligation because of health reasons.
I decided if I can do the job with my shovel, I’m being environmentally friendly and saving the several elderly and disabled people on my street from possibly being ticketed. Shoveling down one sidewalk to the stop sign and them making the return trip on the other side of the street doesn’t take long. Bonus, my fitness factor improves and as a side-effect improves romance too.
Being a good neighbor doesn’t count as a romantic activity, well it might for some, but I’m only interested in romance with my honey. I asked him to join me. Who knew competition was just what we needed as a pre-date warm-up.
“Race you to the end of the block.” He issued the challenge.
I had my shovel poised and made the first scoop before agreeing. “You’re on.”
Half way down the street one neighbor wandered over to me. “Why are you shoveling everyone’s sidewalk?”
“Not everyone is able to, but I am so why not?”
“That’s good of you.”
While he stopped me to chat, my honey was getting ahead. “Look, I’m not trying to be rude but we’re racing and I’d like to win.”
The older man chuckled and let me go. “Give him a run for the prize.”
“You bet.” My short break gave me an energy burst and I flung snow faster than before.
That neighbor let some other neighbors know what that freaky-exercise-fanatic enviro-health nut neighbor was up to now. Not often do dates become spectator sports except on my street. Neighbors came out with shoves to pitch in and some just cheered us on.
With just two more front yards to clear, we were in a dead heat. I put my shovel point at an angle and ran to the end of the street with now flying like from a snowplow and then turned around to run back in the other direction.
My sidewalk was clean and maybe I must barely edged ahead. My honey hugged me. We would have been happy with the ‘thank yous’ but one of the neighbors offered tea and sweets. Always a good reason to share some time with others.
THE END
Showing posts with label neighbors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label neighbors. Show all posts
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Help thy Neighbors Prepare for Winter
Nostalgia for the good old days is double-edged; on one side I get that warm help-your-neighbor glow and from the other side I get that icy strained-muscle-rather-stay-in-bed ache. I'd read about barn raisings and quilting bees. I believe in the ideal of neighbors joining together to finish a project is what this county should still stand for, though this past weekend strained my zeal.
I was volunteered to split and stack firewood. Notice the passive voice; this was not an active decision by me. I'm all for using firewood for heating in a responsible manner because wood is a renewable resource and with improving technology is becoming cleaner burning. The reason for the firewood project involved clean up of dead trees from pine beetle infestation. The trees came from my friend's lot in the mountains.
In two weekends, he'd piled enough blocks to make six cords of wood, imagine the floor space of my two-bedroom, one-bath home with living room, kitchen, dining room and sun porch covered with wood one block deep. The odds of my friend burning that much wood in one winter when he already had his winter's wood were unlikely. Therefore, the neighbors benefited.
I spent my weekend filling a wheelbarrow with split pine, dumping it at the new location and stacking it into squared off stacks. These pieces of wood should never match, like putting together a puzzle by dropping the pieces on a table, mashing them a few times with a rolling pin until they made a solid mat and calling the project a success.
My friend said he wouldn't do the project without me because of my stacking ability. Never again should I admit to experience of this sort. The temperature hovered at 40 degrees Fahrenheit all weekend. Basking in performing a good deed doesn't warm quite the same as backing up to a wood stove, but it does build character.
THE END
I was volunteered to split and stack firewood. Notice the passive voice; this was not an active decision by me. I'm all for using firewood for heating in a responsible manner because wood is a renewable resource and with improving technology is becoming cleaner burning. The reason for the firewood project involved clean up of dead trees from pine beetle infestation. The trees came from my friend's lot in the mountains.
In two weekends, he'd piled enough blocks to make six cords of wood, imagine the floor space of my two-bedroom, one-bath home with living room, kitchen, dining room and sun porch covered with wood one block deep. The odds of my friend burning that much wood in one winter when he already had his winter's wood were unlikely. Therefore, the neighbors benefited.
I spent my weekend filling a wheelbarrow with split pine, dumping it at the new location and stacking it into squared off stacks. These pieces of wood should never match, like putting together a puzzle by dropping the pieces on a table, mashing them a few times with a rolling pin until they made a solid mat and calling the project a success.
My friend said he wouldn't do the project without me because of my stacking ability. Never again should I admit to experience of this sort. The temperature hovered at 40 degrees Fahrenheit all weekend. Basking in performing a good deed doesn't warm quite the same as backing up to a wood stove, but it does build character.
THE END
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