"Roundheads and Ramblings"
Blaine Lee Pardoe · Jeffersonton, VA · : Posted on Friday, January 22, 2016 5:51 PM
At his suggestion that we share his article, I am turning this blog over to a fellow MWSA member today. Enjoy!
As the first snows fall I prepare myself for a blizzard. Having been born in Virginia but raised in Michigan (The Winter Wonderland) I’m familiar with snow. Snow and I go way back. Of course I live outside of Washington DC now and if they get a half-an-inch of powder, local officials and civilians wet themselves out of fear, panic, excitement, and the thought of rednecks driving four-wheel drive trucks and SUV’s at 60 mph on roads covered with ice…oblivious to the laws of physics and commons sense.So, how do I brace for a blizzard? Here’s Blaine Pardoe’s tips for blizzard survival: - Move the snow often. Don’t wait for it to end to get started.Pretend the snowblower is a tank. It makes driving it much more fun.
- Be creative…did you know you can spell obscene words in your yard with a snowblower or shovel? Experiment!
- Torture the dog. Two feet is a shitload of snow. So you have to dig out a path and, shall we say, dumping ground, for your dog. Indulge yourself. Make a maze. See just how smart your dog really is.
- Avoid individuals with snowplow blades on the front of their trucks. They just put them on and frankly have no idea what they’re doing or how much they stick out.When the dude shows up and offers to plow your driveway for $100…mooning him is a viable option.
- Your kids are worthless when it comes to shoveling snow. Don’t count on them. The first and last time I asked for their help I saw my son making snow angels and my daughter attempting to permanently bury him in snow.
- Don’t be in a rush. There’s no place to go even if you could get out.At some point you will have the urge to leave your house. This is the kind of thinking that killed the Neanderthals. Stay at home.
- Remember this formula one glass of alcohol per two inches of snowfall. Finally math has meaning!
- Always plow out for the mail. They won’t come, but it creates the illusion that you believe they will.
- Layers count in this weather. Please use your own clothing.
- Nothing sucks as badly as the TV schedule when you are trapped in the house. Might I recommend a good book? I can definitely recommend a good author.
- This is not a good time to try and teach your significant other to learn to play BattleTech.
- Limit your photographing and posting of photos of snow. We get it. It’s a blizzard.
- Beware the wind. Ever blow snow into a gust of wind? Don't. Trust me on this one...it doesn't blow - it sucks.Just remember, nature, gravity, momentum, wind, and the laws of physics are all working against you during a blizzard. And those are the fun parts.
- There is no good way to dress. If you are warm, you're too warm and sweating. If you are cold, you're freezing. I don't make the rules, I just play by 'em.
- Don't push your snow into the street. That's a douchbag move if there ever was one.
- Don't curse the snowplow driver when they heap everything in the road in front of your driveway. 1. They didn't do it on purpose (despite the look they gave you when they passed by). 2. No matter how bad you day is going, they are out driving a snowplow in a blizzard. Be cool. Be a dude.
Feel free to use the comments section to add your own tips! Share as you deem appropriate. |
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