For The Ages

Jack pulled on his boots and hooded jacket, mittens and insulated pants. It was not cold, but the wind howled outside. He stepped out the door. the snow was deep, at least a 8 or 9 inches. He took the shovel and cleared the deck of the wet, heavy snow. Flakes pelted him and swirled around in the wind.

A pickup truck with a plow made a single pass on the street, snow overflowing the blade to the top of the hood.

Jack waded through the drifts to the front steps. They were obliterated by the heavy snow. This being the north side of the house, it faced the fiercest wind of the Nor’easter and blowing snow. He only cleared the steps. The front walk would wait for the help of the snowblower that Jack’s neighbor would bring out to the rescue later.

As Jack cleared the steps, snow thunder and lightning rumbled and flashed around him.

Jack looked across the way at Bob’s house, thinking of yesterday’s preparations for “Snowmageddon.”

“This was one for the ages” Jack thought. It was as much snow as he’d seen in many years.

Jack returned inside and turned up the heat. If the power went out, it would take longer for the house to cool off. It would be a days before power was restored if it failed. The strong gusts meant linemen would not be able to tackle the damage right away.

His wife asked, “How is it?”

“I can’t see how the will be able to keep the power on. The snow is very heavy and the wind is strong.” He shook his head. If we have electricity at noon, we will have dodged the bullet and be ok.”

At noon he ventured out again. The snow on the deck had been magically replaced with another 10 inches. He repeated the previous process.

Jack grumbled to the wife. “It’s still snowing.” He went back to his laptop to continue working.

Just before sunset Jack returned to the deck for a fresh 8+ inches. He was tired now, but the power had stayed on, and he would go in for the day after he worked with his neighbors clearing driveways and steps. Back in the house, he shrugged out of his wet clothes and sat down with a cup of tea.

Jack’s phone pinged with a message. It was from his hiking brother John.

“Did you see the forecast totals? Should be around 34 inches when it’s all over. Looks like you’ll still be in snowshoes in July.”

“Damned groundhog”, muttered Jack.