A Good Day to Plow

Last night while visiting with a very nice lady (yum, yum cinnamon rolls) in our living room, I repeated a story I've told a time or two.

She sat in disbelief as I recalled rolling down the driveway to get from the road to the house. 

So, I told the story once more. 

"Why?" she asked, after hearing the second telling. 

"The snow was up to my hips, and every time I took a step, I sank in up to my hips," I explained, "So I finally got down and rolled."

True story.  

We had a winter tourist attraction when we lived over on Great Northern Road, a long driveway with absolutely no protection from north winds.

When the winds would come swooping out of the north, drifts built up all the way from the road to our front yard.

Since our driveway was located on a curve, that seemed to make matters worse, not only for the driveway but also for the road itself. 

Monumental drifts built up at that spot.

We did not have the equipment necessary for breaking through those drifts which would pack quickly, thanks to the unbridled winds. 

So, there were a few times that we walked the drifts, along the tops of fence posts in and out of our home for up to two weeks at a time.  Cars were parked at the end of the driveway. 

Twasn't fun bringing school books and groceries from the car to the house in those days. 

And, cars filled with curious people often drove by after the road was opened, just to admire the Love's drifts. 

When we moved to Selle, one of our first purchases was a Kubota tractor with a loader.  We had the blade, which had been used for light plowing. 

We have not regretted that purchase one bit, and I can say this morning that, one more time I really appreciate our pretty orange tractor.

And, I appreciate the hours our daughter Annie, the Seattle city girl, put in yesterday clearing out pathways, parking spots and doggie playing zones around the place. 

Annie may be a city girl, but she knows farm basics, including how to operate a tractor and plow.  Her work yesterday was meticulous during one initial plowing session and a second, when snow had started to cover her work. 

Thanks to her efforts, this morning, when we went outside to a relatively light overnight snowfall (really bad stuff is supposed to come today and tonight and tomorrow morning).

It was a delight to walk to the barn and to enjoy the morning chores rather than spend half an hour clearing the way to the barn and the barnyard where the horses now stay in the day time.

So, thanks, Annie, and thanks, Kubota.  

We do not know how much more work will come when the next segment of the monster storm arrives, but at least for now, we had things under control, and travelers along South Center Valley Road won't see that crazy lady rolling down her driveway. 

Happy Friday.  Stay safe, warm and dry.