A four level spilt, a two car garage, and a drive way that would fit 5 of Joel's car's end to end and still leave room for the mailman to walk. My wife and I have never liked the design of a garage jutting out in front of the house, so that you see the garage as more prominent than where the humans dwell on a property. That is one of the reasons we bought our house. But a garage hidden in the back of the house alos results in a long drive-way to stare down from the side walk.

Why do I blog about this now? cause, as many of you know, we had our first dumping of snow. I heed the advice of my boss who last year advised me that he would take 3 shovlings of the drive that are smaller than waiting for it all to be done at the end of the dumping...pushing snow is easier than having to carry it cause there is too much to push.

Already by the time i arose this morning, there was a heavy load. I did my best to clear some of it, knowing full well that there would be more to clear cause it was still falling.

but I shall not complain. I am thankful that we have a house that holds lots of friends and their cars as well. (though Joel typically still parks on the street). I am thankful tha tmy wife said thanks when i cam in (I may not be the fastest dish do-er, but managing the outside of the house at this time of year is as important as the inside.) I am thankful for leather winter boots that were warm enough to keep my father's feet toasty during minus 30 days in construction. and I am thankful that half way through my struggle, my son came bundled up to the hilt, dust pan in hand, out the door and headlong into the blustery snow fall to help his dad. At that point, it all became less productive, but more meaningful.

It was even enough motivation for me to shut off the car and tug him in the toboggan to his day care. I thought he would like it more.

anyone care to start a pastoral snow blower fund?