2002~2003: The winter there was no snow

Having just moved into my new place last spring, I've yet to experience winter here. Yet, it's almost the end of January and there has been no measurable snow this season. This is highly unusual.

For the past 10 years I've lived here, there's been snow pretty much every winter. Lots of snow. Feet of it. It starts snowing in November and the snow stays with us through March or so, unless there's a warm rain in the meantime to wash the snow away. But this year? Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Of course, this wasn't what I suspected. I was dreaming of a wintery blanket of snow that I could deftly sweep away. At the old place, I had Brutus, the snow plow:

Me in 2000 plowing the driveway at
my former palace.

But my new place isn't as vast, plus it lacks any hills. So I invested in a snow blower.

Not Just Any Snow Blower!

Say hello to Plowasaurus, my tank-treaded snow blower that I paid way too much money for at the Honda store:

Plowasaurus was going to be my key to neighborhood envy this snow season. Imagine me being pulled along by his mighty tank treads as untamed snow spewed forth from his majestic snout! I'd deftly carve a sweet path through the nasty white stuff, making all the kids walking to school secretly thank me with puffy breaths of steam.

Why bother, Dan? Jeez!

I'm now in a neighborhood. As such, it is my civic responsibility to clear a happy swath of walkway where the sidewalk crosses my lot. Not only that, there's the three-car garage, driveway and walkway. I must make the path safe for our dear postal workers! It was a challenge, as you can see by this shot of my house and the required swath to clear:

But, of course, there is no snow! The snow just isn't coming. Poor Plowasaurus sits forlorn in the garage/shop with my other tools, chilling their idle hearts while they wait for the warmth of spring to come back to woodworking life.

I can't disagree, Dan, that you were more than ready

And they said that the snow would come. It's supposed to come, you know! Look at that picture again:

See the terrain and trees? It's the bosom of winter! Where is the snow? There is supposed to be snow. That shot should be 90 percent of the white fluffy stuff. It should be wafting down to earth in great potato-chip like chunks. But nothing. No snow. Nothing for me to plow. And nothing for Plowasaurus to do!

But fear not!

I am ready. I am waiting. They say that February is the worst month of the year weather-wise. That's why it's so short; only 28 days for mother nature to pound out her worst! And then, with the snow thick and high, I shall embark upon a mission. I shall fire up Plowasaurus and forge onward into the foam! I shall cut a grand canyon of walking safety along the entire length of my abode. I shall fling snow far and wide! I shall be the envy of everyone on the block. I may even plow the neighbor's as well!

It's coming! I can feel it! The snow! I did not buy Plowasaurus in vain! I didn't! Please, God! Tell me I did not!