Confessions of a Practical Blonde: Snow Days

By Sharon Leary
iBerkshires Columnist
08:37PM / Wednesday, January 21, 2009

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Sharon Leary

Need a break? Stressed from the holidays, the economy, your kids, and the weather? Well, actually, one of those things can give you what we all seek a little more of: time.

It's January and the weather has turned cold and the snow flies just about every other day. That means school and other activities are canceled quite frequently. Maybe I'm being a little critical, but I do not remember having this many snow days when I went to school.

In my day (yes, I'm going there), we had no idea if school was going to be canceled until maybe an hour before it began. Sometimes we didn't even know that school was canceled until the bus didn't show up or we got to school and they sent us home.

One time, during a particularly heavy snowfall, we listened in vain for those magic words, "Springfield Public Schools have been canceled today." We didn't even ask if we could stay home from school. My parents were not being hard on us — if you were well and schools were open, you were going. We were like the Postal Service: No matter wind, rain, ice or snow we showed up.

So my brother Jay and I went down the street and met our friends April, Heidi and Vinnie. As we trudged through the snow, throwing snowballs at each other, trying to catch snowflakes on our tongues and generally being teenagers, we all bitterly complained about the powers that be who were forcing us to go to school in that weather.

Our walk to the bus stop was maybe about six blocks, or a half a mile. We met up with some more of our friends who were all equally disgruntled that we were being forced to attend school. We waited for the bus for what seemed like an eternity. And still the snow kept falling.

Finally, the bus arrived. During that particular era, there were not enough school buses to handle all of the students who attended public schools. A lot of us had to take the city bus downtown. Our neighborhood was designated one of those areas.

The city bus driver pulled up to the stop and saw all of us kids standing there, looking glum and seeking  some warmth, even if it was on a city bus, the words we had been longing to hear since 6 a.m. finally were spoken. "What are you guys doing here? Haven't you heard they cancelled school?"

Not only did we get a reprieve from school, but the bus driver was our hero. For the next week, he didn't have to yell or threaten to pull the bus over because we were being too loud or causing trouble.

So now the long trudge back to our houses began. The snow was piling ever higher and it was becoming more difficult to walk on the sidewalks. So we resorted to following the plows in the streets. There was very little, if any traffic. We all made grand plans for our free day. But we all had one thing in common: snow shoveling.
 
Snow = Money

We all knew when we got home our moms were going to send us right back out to shovel the driveways and sidewalks. A few of us made plans to go "snow shoveling" after we were done with our parents' houses.

Snow shoveling was the easiest way for those of us not old enough to get a part-time job to make some spending money. My brother Jay and I never had a set rate. Mostly because we knew that a lot of our neighbors were in different financial situations. Even though we were aware of those facts, it wasn't a big deal.

The kids in the neighborhood all had specific houses they would go to. We broke it down so everyone had a chance to make a little money. We didn't sit down and work out the arrangements ahead of time; we just knew who would be going to which house. It was a silent understanding.

The most money Jay and I would make on a house that included driveway, sidewalk and steps was $5. Doesn't seem like a lot of money, but when you did five or six houses, the money would start piling up and we both would end up with at least $10 and sometimes close to $20.

That was a lot of pocket money for us. It meant we could play video games down at the A&P without begging for quarters from our parents or resorting to stealing quarters from the change jars. Sometimes we splurged and bought ourselves the latest single from a singer or group we loved. Music and video games, some things just never change.

Getting to Know Your Neighbors

We helped our neighbors dig out. This also was a silent understanding; we never asked why we were helping our neighbors, we just did. After we would finish one house, we would stop at one of the neighbors on the route who was older and not able to shovel. Very rarely would our parents have to prod us to go over to Mrs. Perella's house or stop by Uncle Dominic's house (he was everybody's uncle) to help them dig out.

Sometimes they would give us money; sometimes they would offer us sustenance like hot chocolate and cookies; sometimes they would call our parents and tell them what good kids we were.

Remy likes the neighbors.

I want to make it clear that we were not angels. In fact, most of our parents and neighbors would say we were the opposite. We all knew our neighbors. We may not have liked them all, but we knew our neighbors. As technology has advanced and we cluster ourselves ever deeper into our homes, getting to know your neighbors is now something we take for granted. I am also guilty of this.

However, this past year I have made some minor changes. When I walk Remy and my neighbors are out, I always at least wave hello. Sometimes Remy and I will stop and talk. We are most likely to stop and talk with those who also have a dog. Remy practically pulls my arm off when she sees Chance or Molly. She's not so friendly with Duke, but they at least acknowledge one another.

Seems my dog is teaching me a lesson. Or maybe Mr. Rogers message did seep into my psyche. Either way, it's important to get to know your neighbors.

Wanted: Teen to Shovel Snow

My parents are getting older and most of the folks that we grew up with have moved out of the neighborhood. There are still a few families that remain, but they are getting older as well. My mom and dad know their neighbors. However, unlike when we were kids, they don't invite them over for a cookout or drop by for a cup of coffee or tea. My dad doesn't have a beer with the guy next door as they talk over the fence because all of the fences are too high.

Recently, my parents have both had some health setbacks and my brothers and I realized that we would need to find someone to help with things like snow shoveling. When my brothers and I lived closer to home we would help. However, my brother Jay and I both live in the Berkshires and my brother Chris and his family live several miles from my parents.

Twenty years ago, we wouldn't have had to worry about who was going to dig out mom and dad. But today, no kids go around to houses to ask if they can shovel your driveway for a couple of dollars. A lot of people have snow blowers, but even a snow blower would not help my parents at this point. They need some help.

So my brother Chris and I began a search for someone who could plow or shovel them out when they got a winter storm. I called my friend John who still lives near my folks and asked if he knew anyone who could help. He did know a few guys who do landscaping and snow plowing in the winter. He asked them to check out my parents' house. Unfortunately, neither of them could do it.

Thankfully, knowing their neighbors paid off. The last big storm that we had, our neighbor Seth came over and snow plowed my parents' driveway. My Dad went over to thank him and Seth told him that he would make sure my parents were taken care of this winter.

Thank you, Seth. However, Seth may not be around next winter. He is in the process of selling his house. So, that means my brothers and I will have to secure some help for my parents early this year. Something that I knew I was going to have to do at some point, but I didn't expect it to come so soon.

Global Warming, the Economy and Traditional Values

Each day I get an e-mail from an organization called the Daily Good (www.dailygood.org). It is an inspirational e-mail that starts my day off on a positive note and also pumps much-needed blood into my brain. The article makes me think.

The most recent articles have been about what is going on in the world. Interestingly, most of what is being said will strike a chord with each of you; anxiety, money woes, employment, heat and the threat of losing our planet's habitat.

Cutting back on unnecessary items and watching how we spend our money is becoming an art form. We have the opportunity to redefine how we live as humans while we work our way out of this recession. We can reconnect to our neighbors and define what should be truly important to us: human relationships.

And the bonus in getting to know your neighbors: they might have an item, talent or perspective they would be willing to share with you.

So instead of hibernating on a snowy day get out there and shovel, snow blow or take your dog for a walk. Take a cue from Remy, or Mr. Rogers — jump right in and get to know your neighbors.

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