Here in aptly-named WINTERset, we’re having quite the sporty winter.
Around here, even before the last snowflake hits the ground, guys are out there, “pushing snow.”
Pushing snow is not the same as removing snow from one’s sidewalk with a shovel. It involves a pickup with a blade on the front, and bags of snowmelt and/or sand and a couple of snowblowers in the truck bed. A lot of snow-pushers have additional heavy equipment, like end loaders and trailers and other trucks for hauling snow away.
City of Winterset crews clear the residential streets and commercial area so traffic can move through town. The free-lancers handle the parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks of their customers.
One local snow-pusher is Cody Reed. Cody and I go way back.
Cody’s mom Marla rode the school bus I drove for the Winterset Public School District for one year back in the 1970s when she was in high school. Marla married Steve Reed. Their son Cody was born the same year as Rebecca, my youngest. Cody and Rebecca started Kindergarten the same year and graduated in the WHS Class of 2000.
Cody’s dad Steve is a builder and historic preservationist. Steve built an addition on my home in 1997, oversaw another major remodel in 2010, built the apartment building where my mother spent her final years, and was the contractor for the over $1 million gut-and-rehab of the Iowa Theater in 2016-2017. Cody, carrying on the family business, has been our contractor for projects at our previous home and for major changes at our new residence. He’s a frequent presence in our household and a favorite person of mine. Our dog Scrabble loves him.
During the most recent blizzard, I watched snow fall all day, sometimes gently, at other times with a wind behind it, hoping it would stop at four or five inches—out of concern for Scrabble. She’s a mini golden doodle, which means her fur doesn’t shed but just keeps growing, and her much needed grooming appointment north of town was the next day. If we couldn’t get a car out, we’d miss her appointment, and it might be months before we could get another one. 
The next day dawned as it typically does in southern Iowa after a blizzard—with sunshine, achingly blue skies, and a squint-inducing glare on thirteen inches of snow. Around 8:30 a.m., I phoned Cody.
“Hi, Cody.”
“Hi, Marianne.”
“I have a huge favor to ask.”
“Sure.”
“Could you get Scrabble to the groomer this morning?”
“I’ll come by as soon as I finish the HyVee parking lot.”
Later in the day, Mark was out back in our garage when Cody arrived in the alley to scoop out our parking pad. “She’ll be done at 3:00. Have Marianne call and pay by phone, and I’ll swing out and pick her up.”
It’s great to have a friend who knows your dog, takes his own dog to the same groomer, is up early, and drives around with a blade on his truck.
Susan K Metz
It is great to live in Iowa. My mother was born and raised in Walnut. I visit there every year to see my BFF of 50 years. My Aunt Mary lives in Des Moines. She is 92. I see Mary, too.
This year is Walnut’s sesquential and I plan on being there virus or not. 2020 is the first year I have missed being there. It is my happy place.
I live in Long Beach, Washington. The nice part is you don’t have to shovel rain.
Stay warm,
Susan
Marianne Fons
That’s hilarious! Let’s hope by the time the event in Walnut rolls around, being together will be much safer.
Rita Parrish
I always love reading your posts. I especially enjoy it when you treat us, as readers, as family and keep us up-to-date on what is happening in your life. It is especially true now, during the pandemic when this is about the only way some of us have much contact with our own family and friends. Thank you.
Marianne Fons
No, thank YOU!
Alison
Ahhhh…..an example of the best of small town living@@
Marianne Fons
Miss you, Alison.
Pamela Weeks
Give Scrabble a hug for me. My dear old Simon, a Papillon, loves the snow, but at 12.5, he finds it harder to plow through when we hike. So, he has his own backpack.
Hope to see you again soon!
P
Marianne Fons
Hello, friend! Scrabble has been patted in your name.
Sharon Ledbetter
One of the top ten reasons to live in a small town! Neighbors helping neighbors because that is what we do!
Meisha
It’s nice to know the snow did not deter you and Scrabble! Think of you often.
Marianne Fons
Same here, Meisha!
Dianne Carver
There are some really nice people out there. I went to get my puppy from Boyden Iowa. The nicest people I have ever met. It was in January 2019. He loves LOVES snow. Even though I live in South Dakota, I always tell people he loves snow because he’s from Iowa.