Dec. Week 3 – The Snow Begins

Well, Winter has come to New England – at least my portion of it. I mark this by the first snow that requires action on my part. It snowed this week, only about 2 inches, but enough to cause me to go out and clean off the driveway. I know some of you may not bother with such a small amount, but I guess I’m driven by my childhood. The house I grew up in had a steep driveway – very steep. (Those of you who know where I lived know what I’m talking about.) This meant that even a thin coating of snow or ice could be very slippery. So we learned that no matter how small the snowfall, you go clean it off. I still do.

Some people leave it unless it is difficult to maneuver in. This can be a mistake – for several reasons:  Even though it comes down as snow, if the temperature is very cold afterwards, snow can quickly turn into ice. This is especially true if the snow is very wet. Sometimes we get what I call “cement snow.” This is very wet snow, somewhat the consistency of peanut butter, that freezes into a solid block of ice-snow, not unlike cement. If you don’t remove it while it is soft, You may have to live with it until spring. You need to work with the window you’ve got.

One of the things I appreciate about New England snow is that the day after a snow is usually bright and sunny. Since the best surface for walking and driving on is a dry, ice-free surface, you want the snow to melt away before the night-time freezing temperatures return. Snow is a great reflector, and therefore it doesn’t absorb much of the sun’s heat. If you clean most of the snow away from a paved surface, the sun can heat it and it melts nicely. By the end of the day it’s nice and dry.

Basically, the key to snow is keeping up with it – not trying to catch up with the removal later. Life is like that too. I’m not just talking about chores and repairs, but also the stuff of living. Relationships need keeping up with. Don’t let a rift grow. Don’t let distance get too great. Keep up with it. It’s always easier. It takes a little work to maintain relationships, but it’s worth it.

Well, enough of my snow lore. I’m sure you’ll hear more from me as the winter progresses. It’s time for me to get down to Christmas preparations. Have a Merry Christmas!