Chicken Soup Anyone?

I will never underestimate the value of good winter tires again.

Hitting a curb (and wrecking a tire) initiated my slightly premature switch to summer tires but I wasn't worried. I was optimistic the spring storm headed our way wouldn't affect the roads too long before the heat of the sun permeated the snow. For the most part (one rather tense trip home spurred me into cancelling an appointment the next morning), I was right.

Much to my chagrin, I shoveled snow because there was a slight snow drift in front of the garage, but as I cleared the way I truly hoped it would be the last time I would have to touch a shovel for the season. 

It continued to snow and I woke up to a snow covered driveway the next morning. Not again. I will not shovel again. I won't! By the time I had to leave the house, Mother Nature had taken care of the snow and I felt pretty lucky.

Then I had the chance to visit with a cousin who lives in the southern (and hardest hit) part of the province and I bit my tongue. They had snow "this high" (my memory wants to believe the indication was to their knees but I think it was a little less than that). The slight inconvenience of slipping home safely on the the winter streets and the minor snow shoveling I had done was nothing compared to what it could have been.

I drove on dry highways towards my weekend oasis last night. I savored the extended daylight hours and enjoyed sighting Canada geese pairing up and strolling beside the highway. The fields were snow covered and it looked pretty chilly out there. I felt a chill run through my bones when I saw a goose-couple swimming in a slough. "How do they manage in the cold?", I wondered for the duration of my trip.

Almost "home", a couple of deer popped up in the ditch and carefully watched for traffic as I slowed to a crawl and they stayed safely off the road. Oooo!! I love spring!!!

Then I arrived. All I had to do was back into the driveway and park the car for the weekend. 

Summer tires and wet snow are not a good combination. The tires spun as I remained stationary. Forward and back, trying to maneuver my way into my little spot nestled beside the house and in front of the garage. When I was satisfied with my parking, I hopped out and assumed Mother Nature would take care of the snow while I was here and I happily settled in for the night.

I am so eager to jump start the season, I picked up some jalapeno burgers before I left the city. Barbequed burgers and a salad would make a perfect spring meal. I was savoring the very thought.

Then I woke up this morning and reality set in. A high of 2° today, a high of 4° tomorrow. I may be pulling out the shovel one more time.

It may be a homemade soup kind of weekend after all ...