I have read the manual for our snow blower many times. One item not mentioned on the “Attention – Caution” page is – watch for fast moving traffic barreling toward you! Many of us along the Western Road still snow blow our own laneways. I like our driveway smoother than a pool table.

Last week I was approaching the end of our driveway behind our faithful blower. Our snow blower was just tuned up. It was throwing snow higher than a castle. Granted, we have a line of spruce trees that may have obscured the driver’s view. But when I was past the trees, at the end of the lane, about to turn around, suddenly there was a passing car. The driver must have seen the colour of my eyes.  It’s scary looking up at four headlights coming toward you.  I did notice the passing car had its left signal on. I thought this might be the last thing I see as my life ended, a flashing light on the side of a little green car. SLOW DOWN.

Just because there is a broken line on a highway and it is safe to pass doesn’t mean you have to. The road was slushy, it was a gray morning and we were at the tail end of our first real storm of the winter. 

Watch for us trudging behind our ambling machines. Those of us who enjoy clearing snow, are a dying breed.

Jan Cox