“The Snow Shovel”

“The Snow Shovel”


Listening to the weather reports coming out of Georgia reminds me of when we moved back to Lithia Springs after my dad passed away to help mom.

After we had unloaded the U Haul and everything in the living quarters was all put in their places, I was downstairs in the garage finishing up. My new neighbor, an Atlanta Police officer who flew helicopters for the city came down to introduce himself and as we were talking he was admiring my “wall of pride” or where all the large hand tools hung, he noticed my trusty “D” handled orange snow shovel.

Being a true southerner such as I, he made the usual comment on such a useless tool! I had to explain to him that in Springfield, Mo we were used to using this implement at least once a year and also being the good red blooded male, he knew that we never throw away a tool no matter how long it’s been since it was last used! We traded a few jokes and his were aimed at the tool that would never get used! This became a ritual when he would come over to shoot a few hoops or work on something or other or sit and drink a beer or two listening the Braves play on the old AM radio.

Winter rolls around and as it’s down south where we “never” get snow but that white stuff that fell that winter sure looked like the real thing! Shoveled like it too!

It would be best if I explained something. The subdivision we lived in was on a hill.
Bob’s house was up hill from mine and his driveway was pointed towards MY front door! My driveway was even steeper than his and was pointed downhill towards the creek behind my house and many pine, oak and dogwood trees! A pick up truck or car does not do well on these slopes!

While my teenaged son (oh teenagers are so useful when it snows and one owns a snow shovel!) was doing his best to remove that white stuff off the drive my neighbor walks up and stands there a minute watching how a snow shovel is operated.

Finally, he can’t hold it in any more. He looks at me and says ”After all the joking and ribbing I’ve given you about that snow shovel I was wondering, if, when he’s done with your drive way, may I borrow that thing and do mine?”

I looked at him, smiled that you know what grin, and told him “Yeah I reckon but I have to ask you if you want hot sauce with that crow?”

That shovel made the rounds of the neighborhood that day and got pretty worn down!

How do you go through like without good neighbors?

George “Rollover” Purdy