Ice Storm

It’s been a rollicking winter in this part of the world. Every few days it snows. This makes it tricky for those who have steep driveways and jobs to get to in the morning. Even if you have a contract with someone to come and plow you out, chances are they won’t get there till late. They’ll have been busy all day.

So if you happen to have kids in the house, you’re likely to send them out with shovels. Even if they do a good job, it’ll be slippery. Backing the car down will likely end you up in a snow bank. This necessitates yet another round of shoveling - or rather, ‘digging out'.

Yesterday, on top of everything, we had an ice storm. This morning, every branch, every leaf was encased in ice. The driveway was so slick, you could practically skate down it and pick up the paper. After spreading sand or salt, you start the car and ease it out of the garage. So far so good. What happens next is predictable because its happened before.

Once you hit the slope, the car begins to slide. You remember someone saying, “Keep the wheels turning; don’t hit the brake.” You check the rear view mirrors, but all you see is white. The car pulls to the right. You turn the wheel to compensate. Too late! You’ve hit the snow bank and you’re stuck.

Forward is impossible. Too much gravity working against you. Backwards is blocked. You can throw all the sand you want under the wheels, they’ll just keep spinning (unless you have four wheel drive).

Such are the joys of living in a temperate climate. There are flashing lights down the block. The electric company has come out. Then you notice that the houses across the street don’t have power.

Now you feel better. It can always be worse. You go back inside and make yourself a cup of coffee. Then you call the boss to tell him you won’t be in today.

Peter Koelliker; pkoelliker8@yahoo.com