A Lighter View
Plow Away
By K.E.H. Stagg

January 28, 2016

Dillsburg's first major snowstorm in half a decade brought home to many of us how thoroughly we've been lulled into complacence by a succession of mild winners.  As the weekend weather forecast continued to increase precipitation predictions, some panicked locals headed to area stores to purchase snow removal equipment.

I heard of otherwise sane individuals reduced to sheer lunacy at the dread of being stuck indoors for two days - or more! - wrestling industrial-strength snow blowers from fellow Dillsburgers in armed combat. Some altercations involved language not fit to print!
Such absurdity astonishes me.  We are, after all, in Pennsylvania in the bleak midwinter. Snowfall should be expected.

Apart from laying in a bag of halite and making sure our bottled water supply would outlast any power outage, my household turned our minds to far more serious matters: How many kiddie movies can a person watch before losing his mind?

Sure, I was beyond annoyed that the homeowner's association snow removal firm didn't begin plowing walks and drives until 48 hours after the blizzard ended. I wondered if it could even be called a firm, since the team includes only one pick-up equipped with a front plow and a single snow blower; two items to clear 110 dwellings.

Luckily, I didn't lose power, water pressure or heat. My toilets continued flushing; the inside temperature remained well above freezing and my pantry stocks could see my household through two more weeks. Plus I intend to demand a refund on this month's HOA fees since I had to clear my own passage to the outside world (and have the aching forearms to prove it).

So, let the snow continue falling. . . I'm ready!