Once in the last thirty-five years there has been enough snow to require shoveling. And my driveway at the time was 2907 1/3 feet long. After 16 days, it had melted enough that I could get my 4×4 pickup out to town. Spent most of that time cutting branches away from the drive == three cords of firewood worth.
Today’s young people seem to be allergic to manual labor beyond pressing buttons or working joy sticks. I have a snow blower to avoid the dangerous work of shoveling snow. Clean up or small amounts is no problem, it just takes me a awhile to finish. Here in Wyoming, the snow often wears out blowing around which reduces the shoveling amount.
I have a small horse farm. EVERYbody (neighbourkids) wants to work here, until they realize (quickly) that the work is real. I work alone. Takes longer, a lot less whinging about it, have to work harder, but rarely have to do anything twice (efficient, not skilled) and can listen to my choice of music on occasion.
Normally, I do all the snow removal, but one year I hired 4 teens to dig out our two cars (it was during one of DC’s BIG snows). I showed them I had the cash and told them I would pay them when the cars were clear (had to be able to get out to the driving area of the apt. complex – not the actual road – that was the complex’s job). On the first day, they worked for a couple of hours (it was late when they came looking for work) but got kind of far then went home. The next day ONE kid came back and did all the rest of the work. I gave him all the money.
Don’t blame it all on the kids. Remember what generation brought us the remote control, riding lawnmower, leaf blower, Roomba vacuum, cordless phone, etc. We have always been looking for ways to make life easier so we could have more leisure time. Now we sit around with our remote controls clicking channels, cell phone on the table (or sitting around clutching computers/phones in our hands doing Facebook, Pinterest, or Youtube), while the dishwasher cleans the dishes, the washer cleans the clothes, and the Roomba clears the crumbs from the floor and we tell the kids to go shovel the sidewalk. We have brought the world to our fingertips. And we sit watching it. Is it any wonder that kids do the same?
When I was raising kids they shoveled elderly neighbor’s driveways for free! Kids don’t do that anymore…instead their parents by them expensive toys to to out and muck it up with!
And this is why I don’t live up north. I spent a year in Sioux Falls SD, after the first and only winter…which the locals said was the mildest one in 10 years….my late wife said we were moving back to Texas. No argument.
When I lived in a duplex apartments, as recently as last year, I often had kids (and sometimes adults) stop by to shovel snow or to mow the lawn. The landlord was supposed to do those things, and usually did, but sometimes things didn’t get done. Especially with the snow, I would go ahead and pay the other people (who were quite reasonable in their prices). It was well worth it not to fall down and break more bones, since I already use a walker. Kids around here will often do small jobs for money, although my trusty high school student who used to help got a full-time job, dang!
Templo S.U.D. almost 3 years ago
Calvin seems to agree to that when his father asks him to shovel the walk.
Caldonia almost 3 years ago
And wait till he finishes so you don’t break a hip.
pcolli almost 3 years ago
Let it melt.
Gent almost 3 years ago
Eh, it never snows here in hot tropics. Heh heh.
sousamannd almost 3 years ago
not these days. Kids don’t want to work – and even worse, some states won’t even allow kids to work.
juicebruce almost 3 years ago
If one does their own home chores there is no need to go to a gym ;-)
Pickled Pete almost 3 years ago
Shoveling snow is for the birds! Hence the name ‘snowbirds’.
Ichabod Ferguson almost 3 years ago
Good idea. About 100 Pluggers, mostly men, die from heart attacks shoveling snow each year.
david_42 almost 3 years ago
Once in the last thirty-five years there has been enough snow to require shoveling. And my driveway at the time was 2907 1/3 feet long. After 16 days, it had melted enough that I could get my 4×4 pickup out to town. Spent most of that time cutting branches away from the drive == three cords of firewood worth.
ctolson almost 3 years ago
Today’s young people seem to be allergic to manual labor beyond pressing buttons or working joy sticks. I have a snow blower to avoid the dangerous work of shoveling snow. Clean up or small amounts is no problem, it just takes me a awhile to finish. Here in Wyoming, the snow often wears out blowing around which reduces the shoveling amount.
Alberta Oil Premium Member almost 3 years ago
Nice to employ eager local kids..
pheets almost 3 years ago
I have a small horse farm. EVERYbody (neighbourkids) wants to work here, until they realize (quickly) that the work is real. I work alone. Takes longer, a lot less whinging about it, have to work harder, but rarely have to do anything twice (efficient, not skilled) and can listen to my choice of music on occasion.
ragsarooni almost 3 years ago
WHAT neighborhood kids? Where?
wes tnt almost 3 years ago
just TRY to get some kid to do actual work…..we’re doomed!!!
contralto2b almost 3 years ago
Normally, I do all the snow removal, but one year I hired 4 teens to dig out our two cars (it was during one of DC’s BIG snows). I showed them I had the cash and told them I would pay them when the cars were clear (had to be able to get out to the driving area of the apt. complex – not the actual road – that was the complex’s job). On the first day, they worked for a couple of hours (it was late when they came looking for work) but got kind of far then went home. The next day ONE kid came back and did all the rest of the work. I gave him all the money.
GreenT267 almost 3 years ago
Don’t blame it all on the kids. Remember what generation brought us the remote control, riding lawnmower, leaf blower, Roomba vacuum, cordless phone, etc. We have always been looking for ways to make life easier so we could have more leisure time. Now we sit around with our remote controls clicking channels, cell phone on the table (or sitting around clutching computers/phones in our hands doing Facebook, Pinterest, or Youtube), while the dishwasher cleans the dishes, the washer cleans the clothes, and the Roomba clears the crumbs from the floor and we tell the kids to go shovel the sidewalk. We have brought the world to our fingertips. And we sit watching it. Is it any wonder that kids do the same?
kaycstamper almost 3 years ago
They’re too slow and charge too much! Hire a grown man!
kaycstamper almost 3 years ago
When I was raising kids they shoveled elderly neighbor’s driveways for free! Kids don’t do that anymore…instead their parents by them expensive toys to to out and muck it up with!
dogday Premium Member almost 3 years ago
My dear husband has achieved the Age of Reason: During our last snowfall he asked how soon the temps would be rising before going out to shovel.
John9 almost 3 years ago
You’re a Plugger if you still think a kid will shovel snow.
goboboyd almost 3 years ago
Pluggers also like to encourage entrepreneurs. It gets a little iffy when the nine year old has a card scanner on their phone.
montylc2001 almost 3 years ago
And this is why I don’t live up north. I spent a year in Sioux Falls SD, after the first and only winter…which the locals said was the mildest one in 10 years….my late wife said we were moving back to Texas. No argument.
finnygirl Premium Member almost 3 years ago
When I lived in a duplex apartments, as recently as last year, I often had kids (and sometimes adults) stop by to shovel snow or to mow the lawn. The landlord was supposed to do those things, and usually did, but sometimes things didn’t get done. Especially with the snow, I would go ahead and pay the other people (who were quite reasonable in their prices). It was well worth it not to fall down and break more bones, since I already use a walker. Kids around here will often do small jobs for money, although my trusty high school student who used to help got a full-time job, dang!