The final total from our snowstorm was 9-10". That's just an estimate. I didn't feel like getting out the ruler and measuring. Besides, there was so much blowing and drifting of the snow – it was snowing almost horizontally a few times – I would have been hard-pressed to find a true snow depth. The top of the car I drive is probably the closest to it, but I just wanted to get the snow moved, not get nerdy.
So, I found my car, then dug out to the road, walked down and dug a path into my side yard to the heating fuel tank, then back up to the front door and in. Even though it was a fairly light snow, it was tiring work. I did a quick check online on how much snow weighs, and it's about 15 pounds per cubic foot, give or take a pound depending on whether it's light and fluffy or wet and packable. So, doing the math (I can be nerdy post-shoveling), I was moving 10-15 pounds of regular snow with every shovelful I threw. I say regular snow because the plowed ridge of dirt-laden snow at the edge of the road likely weighed more. Still, not that much. But, it's shifting that amount of weight over and over and over again. One of these times, I might remember to keep count of how many times my shovel digs and throws that white stuff, but I doubt it.
My muscles started to ache about an hour later and I woke to soreness this morning, soreness that will likely last into the weekend.
There was a time earlier in my life when I didn't mind this activity so much. Actually enjoyed it. But as I approach 60, I'm not such a good sport about it anymore. Oh, to be able to afford to hire someone for this task.
Only 38 days until Spring.
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