The cat and the hat

[greatbear]

As everyone seems to know, a lot of snow fell here recently, and I waited until the next day (Wednesday) to hobble out of the house to the garage, fire up the snowblower and have at it. It wasn't a huge snow, only about 6-7 inches. Anyhow, since my back is in absolutely no shape to even touch a snow shovel, mostly hanging from the handles of the big, self-propelled snowblower is fairly easy, and I have to say, sending a rooster tail of snow high into the air that blots out the sun in my general vicinity is kinda fun. It does, however, fly back at me quite a bit, and after about an hour I pretty much look like the abominable snowman by the time I'm done. I park the thing in the garage, trudge back into the house where I strip myself of my snow-covered outerwear, boots and whatnot and otherwise dry off. While I got most of the snow off of me, I didn't realize there was close to two inches on top of the geeky Mad Bomber hat I use to keep my big flappy ears warm. I set this in the kitchen sink to thaw out, and shook the copious icicles out of my beard. I relax a bit, sore and hurting from the exertion (which I still am as of this writing). I play with the various four-leggers in the house, including the stray cat that makes herself all-too-comfy here. A little while later, I head to the kitchen for a snack, and I notice a furrball on the kitchen counter. The damn cat is always jumping up, looking for anything she can to eat. I yell like I usually do to shoo her off. It was then I realized I was yelling at the hat I put in the sink earlier.

I had a good laugh at my own expense.

Bonus irony points: It was at this time the doorbell rang, it was UPS delivering one of my purchases. A new, black Milwaukee electrically heated jacket. That would've been nice to have on while doing the snow. Well, I know how my irony goes. I was wearing my old red version while slingin' snow. Take that, old irony monster.

Comments

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

Sorry you're sore, but even so it's good to hear you're able to take care of such things (hey, if I had a powered snowblower, I'd never touch a shovel even if in perfect condition to use one).

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Eh, I paid for it the next day, but it's not so bad now. I'm thankful to be able to do these things, as much as I feel I am a clinking, clanking, clattering collection of caliginous junk these days. I need my oil can!

[spatts5.livejournal.com]

The UPS guy was probably waiting for you to plow a path to your door before delivering your package. Senility is a wonderful thing. Good thing you didn't try to push "the cat" off the counter only to have it fall on the floor and you think you killed it.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I was actually surprised the delivery was kept on schedule. Part of the reason I was clearing it was to make life easier on him too. I give him a lot of work. :)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I read this as a return to the old Wild West with you as the dangerous "Snow Slinger!" :) Glad to know you're doing better!

HUGS!

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Hah! Sounds like one of those bad spaghetti westerns. The Snow Slinger of Tierra De Los Mayhem X-D

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Well, there ya go! In this case though, you're my hero, not the villain!! :)

HUGS!

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

I feel your agony in attempting tasks these days which were childs play a few short years ago. Seriously frustrating.

Don't hate me too much for saying that I don't miss shoving snow living here in rain-challenged SoCal. Never had a blower when I lived back east, I grew to detest the seemingly endless shoveling and that sinking feeling with the arrival of the next major snowfall.

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

I didn't mind shoveling when I actually had a functioning lower back years ago. I bought the blower when I began having minor issues (and after living in a much larger piece of property for a while) and don't regret a damn thing about the decision since. It's hell getting old. More hellish falling apart too.

[dan4behr.livejournal.com]

I actually wish we could've gotten some of that snow here in NC. Yes, school delays and other related messes would be hell, but I'd love a good snow - woefully unprepared as we are for one.

Funny, the Santa Esmeralda song was one of my favorites, but doubtful I would have remembered it except for the fact I heard it for the first time again in decades on SiriusXM radio in the car earlier this week.

The 70's channel was playing a repeat of Casey Kasem's Top 40 from one of the weeks that song was movin' on up the charts. I managed to be listening when that song was featured...

[greatbearmd.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I love snow. The other day it was snowing heavily in the early morning, and after looking out the window and having my back issue a sharp reminder of "NO!" I climbed back into bed with the two pooches snuggling close in. The warm fuzzies were absolutely palatable and I laid there enjoying the experience while glancing out the window and smiling. Unfortunately, Jeff had to head off to work, or my Operation Warm Fuzzies would've been a complete success. :)

The Santa Esmerelda song, or at least the extended instrumental interlude, was a common occurrence back in the 80s when we were being subjected to Doug Tracht aka "The Greaseman" mornings on DC101. It was a music bed to one of his comedy bits. Unfortunately, Mr. Tracht, however well-meaning, couldn't keep the humorous racist comments in check, and that got him bounced from the station. Apparently he didn't learn his lesson since, since he was repeatedly bounded from stations for similar shenanigans. Granted, I knew he wouldn't dream of putting any force behind those words and it was all meant (supposedly) in grown up (key here) adult humor, but it doesn't take much to push some peoples' buttons, so bouncy bouncy to da Grease.

Here's the song in its entirety. Enjoy.

ETA Damn clumsy fingers.

[mikiedoggie.livejournal.com]

I would loved to have seen a photo of you all caked in snow before you disrobed! And possibly other parts of the process!

Snow is frickin' heavy; I must have shoveled just a couple of hours last weekend at John's cabin and I was a mess by the time it was done.

[tonethbone.livejournal.com]

Somewhere around the house I have a picture of myself ...looking the way you described yourself...covered all over with snow after blowing the driveway. I don't blow driveways anymore ...but I DO blow Swedes

[mort-83.livejournal.com]

I've see people use plastic canopies that install over the top of the snow blower-keeps you from looking like a Wampa! ;-)