Snow!

I call my father every week. Mostly on Sundays, but sometimes just out of the blue to see what he is doing. Winter in Minnesota can really get to a person. Especially someone like my Dad who likes to be outside all of the time.

This year is especially frustrating for him. He has been cooped up more than usual. I watch everyone's status updates on Facebook and there seems to be a lot of bitching about snow, wondering when snow will come, shoveling of snow, blowing snow, accumulation of snow, when will the snow stop, who does Mother Nature think she is.... pretty much anything and everything related to snow. I have snickered a bit to myself because I don't live in a place where it snows much. Granted, it does rain a whole hell of a lot and the grey skies really get to you.......but I still am glad I don't live in a place where it snows.

A couple weeks ago he told me he was looking at getting a new snowblower. It was taking him approximately 3 hours to blow the snow from the sidewalk and driveway. He has a really long driveway and the county does not plow it for him. He said he wanted something large, powerful and enclosed so that the snow wouldn't blow in his face. I had no idea really what he was talking about but he sure was excited about the prospect of getting a new snowblower. This is what I recall him telling me about why he needed something so large:

"Ann" he says in his Dad tone, "Most people around here have half-million dollar combines that only get used once a year. I want to get a new snowblower so hopefully it won't snow anymore. It can just sit in my garage." I really love his logic. Makes perfect sense.

Much to our surprise, it took a lot less time to get the new snowblower. It arrived last weekend and his neighbor sent me some photos of the big unveiling. He probably is the talk of the neighborhood. Actually, he only has two neighbors so I'm sure he is the talk of the neighborhood.

There it is. Looks more like a lawnmower to me.

There he is sitting on it. He is almost smiling!

The enclosure. Looks more like a golf cart.

The snowblower in action. Watch out for the Prius!

He is practicing here. Looking good!

I talked to him today about whether or not it would snow anymore. Much to his dismay, New Ulm is expected to get between 11-15 inches of snow. I guess his theory of buying a new snowblower to hold off winter did not pan out. On the bright side, he will now have something to do tomorrow morning!