I'd Rather be Sitting Outside Staring at the Sky

We received some snow yesterday evening and today. I can't remember how many days we went without a fresh falling of snow, but it just didn't seem right, living in the U.P. and all. I'm somewhat glad to see it return. I went outside with Bits bundled and tackled another bout of shoveling. Have I mentioned that I loathe (deeply loathe) wet, heavy snow. My arms hurt, back aches, and wrists are sore over shoveling only a few inches. Here's hoping the weather goes back to the cold, light stuff and makes my job somewhat easier. I have been quoted as not really minding shoveling, and actually appreciating it for the exercise it gives me, but I'll have to eat my shovel if this heavy mix keeps up.

The lighthouse paintings are back on track, but are at that frustrating, getting into the groove of the painting point.

I had a couple blue sky photos hidden in my back pocket from last week, so that's what I give to you all.

The Family that Snow Shovels together Stays Muscular Together

I am in no way making fun of the good saying of "The Family that Prays Together Stays Together", I believe that strongly, but I'm also thinking that family shoveling nights are good for bonding too.

Here in the U.P., its commonplace and necessary to "roof rake". A very awkward tool with a huge metal extension arm is used to rake off the accumulation of snow on roofs. I dabbled with this annoying thing on half of the garage. As I was doing this very difficult strength training exercise, Amish barn raisings came to mind. I wonder if I offered up beer and coffee, if I could arrange a roof raking party.

I had another thought. There are so many exercise videos out there, but I've never seen an exercise routine centered around snow removal. Shoveling and roof raking are crazy fat burning activities, and my arms have that good day-after ache meaning I'm building up muscles.

Anywho, when Mike got home and geared up, he and I tackled the corners of the roof on the house. Huge ice dams are already building up, but you get to it when you get to it, right? I had the job of holding the ladder and watching out for my eyes while Mike dangled on top of the ladder and pulled heavy buckets of snow off the roof. I think I ended up with the easier task. After the house's roof was done to our best, Mike climbed on top of the garage roof and literally shoveled off the roof; he'll finish up on that later today. Bits and I moved the piled up snow on the sidewalk that came down from the roof onto the piled up snow in the yard, it was mostly Mommy laboring and Bits running back and forth screaming (seriously people, I am not using illegal child labor).

We had an awesome spicy shrimp garlicky butter pasta dish for dinner and slept heavily all night (oh, except for Bits who woke up at 3:30a.m.?!?).

Walk, Walk, Walk, Scoop, Toss, Repeat

You know, I wouldn't have thought I'd say this, but snow shoveling can be a very calming experience. If you're a little hyped up and peeved about a certain box situation, a slow repetitive activity, like scooping light fluffy snow, can relax your thoughts and ease your tension. Yes, a snow blower is much quicker, but with quickness comes thought shattering loudness, body vibrating movement, and lack of hand held precision. Also It seems like a man's/husband's machine and currently I'm enjoying all my fingers and toes and don't feel like a visit to the emergency room would be that exciting.

I say this now in the first week of January, we'll have to see if shoveling is still relaxing come May and April.

Pretty Scenes Among the Trees

Yesterday was a catch up day. Meaning, catch up on the shoveling from the snow fall the evening before. It was a mere single digit degree day yesterday, but Bits and I still geared up and put in our time outdoors.

He was very irritated with the idea of going into the snow, now at about his waist level, and had no intent of even stepping into it until he saw his furry backyard neighbors. The snow was too high for them to come visit us, so I told Bits if he wanted to see the arfs he'd have to follow Mommy's tracks and walk through the snow. With much complaining, he managed the majority of the way and reached his doggy goal, plus a bonus of his favorite backyard neighbor lady. After a short visit we headed along our deep path back to our home and Mommy hand shoveled the driveway as Bits knocked snow off of the retaining wall. Much fun, much fun.

When Bacon went down for his nap, I returned outside to tackle shoveling the remaining areas and take oodles of winter pics. The sun was bright and the sky crisp and blue, making for perfect photography time. Yes it was cold yesterday, (bitter cold according to numerous forecasters), but I think Mike well prepared Bits and I by making us go on many frigid walks along the Black River walkway in our favorite Lake Michigan town, South Haven. There's nothing like the bite of winter wind that comes off of one of the Great Lakes.