December 17, 2003

When it snowed at the beginning of the month, I was caught without a shovel, salt rock or sand. Since I have a big cement porch without a roof over it and several steps in front of my house, this was not good.

I called off work, but Chris had to go in and gets off at 1:30 A.M. Worried about him falling and slipping on the icy snow, I decided to improvise and use table salt. So I got a box of Morton’s and sprinkled it over the porch and steps.

I knew it wasn’t the RIGHT thing to use, but I figured it would be better than nothing.

Well, it was better than nothing and it did keep the steps from freezing so hard and I was able to sweep off the ice and snow so the steps and porch would be safe.

A couple of days later, I went over to Mom’s house to pick up a shovel. Even thought I know my parents had two or three, I couldn’t find a shovel. What I did fine was a container of clumpable cat litter left over from our much loved cat, Mary. She died when we lived next door to Mom.

Anyway, last weekend we had a repeat of snow and ice. Once again I became concerned about the porch and steps.

Now I know that clumpable cat litter is not the right kind of litter to use for snow, but I figured it would at least be better than nothing. So I took the jug and sprinkled it over the porch and down the steps, silently congratulating myself on being so inventive.

We did get a load of snow and a treacherous layer of ice over the top of everything. Despite it’s danger, the city covered in white, shiny ice was quite breath-taking.

When I went outside, I was able to shove off the ice and snow without too much difficulty. Unfortunately, what was waiting for me underneath was the biggest, greyest, cementiest mess I have ever seen.

First off, the swollen, wet litter was more slippery than the ice. Secondly, it stuck to my shoes (and everyone else’s who ventured near) and the legs of my slacks, and my purse. Thirdly, I am still trying to finish cleaning my steps.

I ruined my broom trying to shove the heavy piles of grey mush off the steps. I managed to get most of it off and left the rest for the sun to dry. I was hoping at that point, it would sweep right off. Nope. Then it rained and got the remainder all wet and gooey again.

Next I took dish soap and hot water and poured it on the steps and scrubbed them with a brush. I drug out the hose and sprayed off the soap really well. I got lots more off, but now there are pieces of it clumped all over and it still looks terrible.

One of the worse things that happened involved a friend from work. I went to work late the day it snowed, so Chris and I could ride in together. My friend’s husband sweetly agreed to bring me home. He was quite a gentleman and walked me to the door. I tried to shoo him off when we got to the steps. I told him, “Don’t come on the steps. This stuff is awful.” [This was before I ever got ANY of the goop off.] He said he wanted to make sure I made it safely inside.

So he got the stuff on his shoes, then tracked it onto the carpet in my friend’s Explorer. Once they got home, he then tracked it all over the carpet in their house. ARG! I have no idea how much time they have spent trying to clean it up and I feel bad.

Lesson learned: Some things are not better than nothing.

I’m hoping a few good rains and snowstorms will eventually finish cleaning the porch and steps.

Josh and Leah are arriving tonight! I hope we all have a good visit.

Psalm 27:14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.