“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” – John Ruskin.

Looking out my front window, I marvel at the dance of the snowflake. It is so delicate as it floats from side to side and then in little twirls until finally making a soft landing on Mother Earth. They join their brethren one by one until the smallest little pile starts to amass.

This year, I decided not to hire a snow removal service. I had previously been working and most recently had a shoulder injury, so there was a reason for not shoveling the snow myself. I had watched year after year as the neighbour across the street, a woman easily 10 years my senior, bundled up, grabbed a shovel, and proceeded to evict all the heavenly visitors from her black driveway. Surely, I, too, could take on this task.

My Dad loved the snow. With the slightest skiff, he was out there moving those flakes along. Sometimes, it seemed like they had hardly had time to pile up before his big shovel scooped down, pushing their warming bodies to the side and making room for newcomers. I decided this would be my approach: get to it before it became too large a task and see the snow as my opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise!

The first substantial snowfall of the year finally came. I carefully watched those snowflakes, assessing the right time to tackle the driveway, allowing for some accumulation but not too much, thus strictly adhering to Dad’s snow removal strategy. I have to say that during my waking hours, I could keep up with Mother Nature without overwhelming my physical abilities, but I wondered what the night would bring.

Daylight broke, illuminating at least 10 inches of wet, heavy snow. All around me, neighbours were out sweating their way through the removal of the newly fallen soldiers. Most of the expanse was light-heavy snow, with the true beast looming at the roadway. Plowed in by the town workers to ensure seamless traffic movement, it would prove to be the most challenging. How can all of these beautiful little flakes become so heavy? Rule to proceed: do not take a full shovel; monitor for over-exertion and take many breaks. One snowfall down and two months to go!

In retirement, I will keep this body moving by independently tackling as many indoor and outdoor chores as I am physically able, mentally capable, and spiritually willing.