A LOT of Snow!!!!!!

I survived Jonas.

That is saying a lot.  This storm caused death and destruction all over the east coast.  The deaths were from over-exertion when shoveling or sitting in vehicles with exhaust pipes covered with snow or just plain exposure to the elements.  Roofs have begun to collapse from the weight of the snow and along the shore of Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland, dunes are gone, streets and homes were flooded and boardwalks damaged or destroyed.  Jonas was a really, bad storm.

I know that around here, there were still people who were not able to leave their houses as they were snowed in and awaiting the proper equipment to get their driveways and lanes cleared of the snow.  Lots and lots and lots of snow.

On Monday, Danny Lantz, my BFF Marji's husband, drove up from Maryland with his snow blower and used it to digg into the snow in my back yard so the dogs could get out into a grassy area to pee and poop.  Until then they been using the porch.  He also used my truck to plow some of the snow and a shovel to get into tighter spots.  I spent the time he was here, removing snow from the deck so it would not freeze into a layer of ice, making my trip to the driveway dangerous.  He also helped me figure out a temporary stand for my mailbox so I could continue to receive mail.  As a result, I can move my van, get into the garage and, if needed, drive my Elantra.  Back among the living.

So my Maryland angel headed home and I spent the afternoon with my dogs.  They were not happy about my tension regarding what I had to do in this storm.  In doing that, I realized that I could see some of the plowed snow from my recliner.  I thought at first that I may not have pushed the first plowing far enough out into the yard.  But I soon realized, it was just a great deal of snow that had come down all at one.  Many people in the area were getting front end loader-type of equipment to pickup and move the snow.  I began to think that I might really need to look into to getting that done.

My neighbor to the north had such a machine.  I had really never met them.  He runs a business and I had met his wife once or twice, but we do not live in a normal neighborhood, we live in a rural area with very little interaction.  But, I decided to find a phone number and give them a call.  Marji has always told me that " the answer is always 'no' until you ask the question".

The man's name is John Russell.  I called the business number and got the answering machine.  Left a message.  The message gave me a cell number, so after a time, I called that number.  Also left a message... but more detailed, about what I wanted.  In about an hour he called me back.  He was in New Jersey helping with some of the damage there, but would happily come over and move some snow either in the afternoon or Wednesday morning.  No charge....!  Have I found another angel, living right next door??

I know that my neighbor to the south (Patty) has had run ins with Mr. Russell.  They hare a property line back in the woods and he has, according to Patty, knocked down fences to blow leaves from his land.  He also is suing the back acreage for shooting.  She does not like that at all.  I know that when he was teaching his boys to shoot golf balls, Rudy would find golf balls in our yard, so I am not sure how much regard he has for other's property.  But yesterday, he was a perfect gentleman.

He appeared earlier than I expected and I went out to introduce myself and meet him.  He was very nice and, very kind and when we were finished chatting briefly about the snow he remarked that if I ever needed anything, I should just feel free to call on him.  I told him that I wanted the snow moved so that I had easier access to the road without having my vision blocked.  I also wanted better access to the front of the house from the road.  I am not sure I communicated it all that well, but I do have better access to the front part of my driveway.  But I am still not sure where I will be plowing snow if we get another storm.  Hopefully we will have tiny storms from here on out.

I took pictures this morning.  It was fairly warm yesterday, so the volume of the untouched snow has already shrunk nicely.  The plowed stuff is going to take much, much longer.

This is the area that Danny snow plowed yesterday.  Winston is very happy to have a place to pee.  Miles is light enough and limber enough to jump on top of the snow.  If you see the little dark area on top of the drifts, Miles little, muddy feet walk out to the edge where he watches his world, sometimes sitting his little furry butt in the snow and just watching.

This is the snow pile next to the garage.  This is pretty close to the amount of snow I plowed all last year.  The pile goes several feet behind the edge of the garage.  It was a big storm!

This is looking south on Route 10.  Mr. Russell removed a huge mound of snow.  He even moved snow along the road so when the state plows come by to neaten up the road, they would not plow more into my area.

This is the big pile.If you look carefully, you will notice that the top of this snow pile is even with the roof line of my house.  It covers the end of the north driveway, across the outer edge of the turn around area and out to the street.  It is a lot.... a great deal.... a whole bunch of snow!!

And last, but not least, here is my poor, makeshift mailbox holder.  I only broke the post and put a couple of scratches on the truck  (sorry Rudy) but the mailbox survived.  So, once things melt and I can figure out what I need to do, I will get help and replace it.  For now, the mail lady is leaving mail and that is all that matters.