Some Weeks Are Longer

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Cleared the snow off the SUV and shoveled the snow. Moved the car and backed it in, satisfied that we could leave if necessary.

Back to the warm house.

Looked outside an hour later to see the mound right in front of the SUV, courtesy of the snow plow driver who had to do it on purpose.

I was cursing him as I shoveled again. 4 kids came running up with shovels in hand.

“Want some help, Mister?”

“For sure!” I said.

They cleared the snow in less than 5 minutes.

“Hang on,” I said. “Let me get you some money.”

“No,” the lead kid said. “Our Mom told us to walk around and help old people who were shoveling.”

I laughed. Gave them some cash anyway - told them not to tell their Mom.

And the fact of the matter is that everything takes longer this time of year.

Extra shirts and socks. 

Car is too hot or too cold.

Jobs are slow or empty.

People are irritated.

“We gotta’ get the hell out of here in a few years,” Kathy said as I pulled onto the snowy road and tried to clear the dirty windshield.

No doubt about it…

…even the neighbor kids think I’m old.

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