I went out to clear the drive at about 415. Took one look, and almost turned around to wait for Spring. I shoveled to the garage, then dug out the snowblower, which can handle snow up to a foot deep at first pass. The stuff in front of the garage was over a foot high, so I went back to the shovel. I figured I'd work until 7, take a Keith Olbermann break, then go back out and keep hammering away at it.

The snowplow went through as I shoveled away. I figure he left a two-foot damn at the end of the drive. Wet hardpack "heart attack" snow.

I had gotten rid of the worst of the stuff in front of the garage when I noticed someone at the end of the drive pushing an industrial-size snowblower. It was my neighbor's son. I walked down to thank him profusely. No problem, he said, I'll help you out.

I worked on the top half while he somehow managed to clear the snowplow mess. Then his dad came by with a shovel and cleared in front of my mailbox. Then son took the shovel while Dad took over the blower and cleared the bottom half of the drive. What I figured would be a good 4-5 hour job was done in an hour and a half. I thanked them many times, and pledged chocolate chip cookies. They didn't seem to think it was a big deal...though I think they'll take the cookies.

My driveway's clear. I don't believe it.