Winter is here now, huh?

Here in Minnesota, we’ve been spoiled the last few years. Either no snow until January or such a light dusting that it melts before the plow hit the road. I don’t mind this because it means the morning commute will take as long as usual dealing with the usual retardedness. But when there’s an inch or more drifting snow across the highways, those same people forget that they’ve had years of experience driving in such weather and the traffic mob loses a collective chromosome.

It normally takes 12 to 15 minutes to drive to Hopkins from S. Minneapolis on the cross-town to go to work — even with the upset caused by the exchange construction. Yesterday morning it took just under an hour. Both ways. Oh joy of joys, that’s a great way to start your day. I think Grand Theft Auto would do well to release a morning rush hour version of their game — complete with tanks and cruise missiles.

After spending 2 hours on the road to spend one hour at work, Sid and I braved the slipperiness once more to attend the Pug-A-Dazzle. It started slow as many people were very late trying to drive in through the snow. But eventually the turn out was pretty good. Sid loved it of course. He spent the entire time racing around chasing and being chased by the other pugs (whether they were willing participants or not.) Everyone generally agreed that Sid was very handsome with his longer than typical legs and adorable light face. He sure slept well that night.

Afterwards — I parked the car for the duration of the weekend and shoveled snow. Yay. I think only sanding drywall is a worse job. And there’s a lot to shovel here. As the map in the corner shows, there’s about 4 inches in the back yard, but the drifting makes spots nearly a foot deep. Absolutely back breaking! But in a sense, it’s also a pleasure/pain thing. It does feel good to do physical work. Makes one feel like he’s accomplished something. And the pot of coffee brewing inside tastes much better after spending an hour in the cold hefting snow around.

Now this morning, after all that, the neighbor gets out his snowblower and redoes the entire sidewalk and side of my building for me. At least I know for next time. It’ll cut about half the work out of it. So thanks, Marshall.

I spent the rest of the morning throwing snow balls at the woodpeckers that have decided to hole up in my bedroom wall. What a great way to wake up. Thwack, thwack, thwack, thwack! At 6 in the morning. Damn things. I can almost hear the Woody the Woodpecker laugh in the background. I pound on the wall back at them and they shut up for a while. And now they’ve got a nice big snow-clod jammed into the three holes they’ve made. Once I get a ladder over here, it’s expanding foam time, boys. Have fun with that!