In Which Groovy and Mr. Snowblower (Curse his name) Reach an Impasse and Grampy Scores a Victory

I did not blow the snow off our loooong driveway yesterday. The snow was fluffy and light, I didn't need to worry about clearing the drive for Mulletman to come home since the hospital paid for him to stay in Bangor, the Folks didn't need to go anywhere, and it was just supposed to snow a bunch more. That meant if I snowblowed (snewblew?) yesterday, I'd just have to do it again today. I opted for simplicity (and procrastination) and waited.

However, the folks had an appointment at 8AM today. (Go ahead, start laughing now)

I figured, No biggy, I get up early. I'll just pop out there at 6:45 and clear the path from their garage door to the road. I can do the rest after breakfast.

I foolishly thought this because Mulletman had already worked on Mr. Snowblower. He had fueled him up and even bragged to me, "Hey! It started on the first pull!"

(Keep laughing - it's good for you.)

I might mention that we finally got a snowblower because our driveway is just WAY too big/long to shovel. Way, WAY too big/long. We could pay someone to come plow, but that's like $15 to $20 per storm and they get there on their time schedule and the plow blades tear up our gravel drive.

So, on with the show:

Groovy: Good Morning, Mr. Snow blower!

Mr. Snowblower, he don't say nothing.

Groovy: I am so thankful for you, Mr. Snowblower! Without you we'd be having to either kill ourselves with laborous physical drudgery or bleed our wallets dry paying some hick in a pick-up to dig us out!

Mr. Snowblower, he don't say nothing.

Groovy: So, you ready to go? Groovy primes the engine, turns one red thingy to the right and pulls the other red thingy all the way up. Groovy pulls the starter.

Mr. Snowblower, he don't say nothing.

Groovy: Hmmm. Groovy pulls again.

Mr. Snowblower, he don't say nothing.

Groovy: Dang! I wonder if I flooded it? Groovy pulls again.

Mr. Snowblower, he don't say nothing.

Groovy: Oh crud. I don't smell gas. Usually I smell gas when it's flooded. Come ON Mr. Snowblower!!! Groovy pulls several more times.

Mr. Snowblower, he don't say nothing.

Muttering under breath, Groovy goes off to shovel the steps. IF the engine is flooded, which she doesn't think it is, then it needs a little break. After a little break, it will start right up. Usually. Most of the time. On good days. She comes back and pulls.

Mr. Snowblower, he don't say nothing.

Groovy pulls and pulls and and pulls and pulls and pulls and pulls and pulls and pulls and PULLS!!!!!!

Mr. Snowblower, he don't say nothing.

Groovy kicks the tires, rams the red thingies to their off position and stomps up the stairs to the Folks' apartment.

Mr. Snowblower, he don't say nothing.

Groovy Mom, I tried and tried. I can't start that damned stupid snowblower to save my soul. You guys will have to stay home.

Grammy That's Ok, Honey. You tried your best. We'll just drive over the snow.

Groovy (emphatically) You will NOT drive over THAT snow! It's 18 stinkin' inches deep! AND the wind is howling and blowing it everywhere! No way you can do it! Uh-uh! Im.Poss.I.Ble!

Grammy Well you know Dad. He'll probably try it.

(You can stop laughing now and hand Groovy some analgesics. Her head is starting to seriously ache!)

As I was typing this, they just drove away OVER the snow in their Subaru Forester. He had to make two attempts at the plowline from the road plows at the end of the driveway, but he made it.

Groovy says we sell the blower and get a Forester!