‘Snow cone blizzard’ a true test of character

If you don’t like the weather in Nebraska, just wait a day, or sometimes just a few hours. Life-long natives have heard that line for years, and it couldn’t be more accurate, especially in early spring. 
But last week’s storm threw even the most seasoned Huskers for a loop. The forecast warned us, sure, but who could resist soaking up that unexpected sunshine at 6:30 p.m. on March 18? Twelve hours later, winter was back — angrier than ever.
Like many of you, I set my alarm to get an early start on snow removal. Experience has taught me that waiting too long to clear the driveway means twice the work later. But before I could gear up to fire up the snowblower, the power went out -- thanks to 50-mile-per-hour winds.
With no power at home or the office and snow blowing sideways, I got up later than planned, poured another cup of coffee, stretched out on the couch and waited for the chaos to settle. Bad move. By the time I dragged the snowblower out of the garage, the snow had turned to slush — thick, sticky, heavy, snow cone-type slush that jammed up the blades every few feet. Curse words!
Shoveling snow at 60+ is officially my least favorite workout. I’m not quite ready to claim the “senior citizen” label, but I have to admit that just about any amount of snow which needs shoveling makes me cranky these days.
By the time I got to the office to tackle my least favorite chore — clearing more sidewalks — my back was screaming louder than the wind. It wasn’t even deep snow, just a brutal mix of ice and 30-pound-per-shovel slush. #%!@>*+! AI translates that to “more curse words.”
When it was all said and done, I shoved away just enough slush to let customers safely get inside the News-Register, then decided to let Mother Nature clean up her own mess in a day or two.
Looking for a silver lining, I reminded myself that farmers are desperate for moisture with planting season just around the corner and my friends at the fire department tell me lack of moisture has created dangerously dry conditions just a spark away from disaster. My aching back may be a small price to pay for moisture we’ll take in any form. Still, I’m hoping I’ve seen the last of a snowblower and wrong end of a shovel until NEXT winter. 
One day it’s golf weather. The next day it’s snow cones stuck to the sidewalk. Maybe it’s all just a test of character, reminding us of that love-it-or-hate-it slogan from 2019: “Nebraska. Honestly, it’s not for everyone:-)”
KURT JOHNSON can be reached at kjohnson@ hamilton.net