Today is the reward for forward thinking thirty-six years ago when this lot, with a short front and deep back, was selected to build our new home. The short length of driveway is quickly cleared of snow, and with a minimum of effort since my splurge several years ago to purchase a plugin electric snowblower following a major snowfall.

Plug it in and push the button with no worries about pulling the cord on a gas blower that hasn’t been started in two years. Despite advancing age, I can laugh at warnings to be careful while shoveling.

Of course, there is more benefit to the property than the short driveway. The advantage we enjoy most is the large, private rear garden that is now snow-covered.

The timing of this snowfall is excellent, with single digit temperatures (Fahrenheit) forecast for later in the week. The few plants that are young and marginally cold hardy are buried and insulated, so bring it on. After clearing the driveway, I made the rounds with a leaf rake to nudge evergreens with arching branches to dislodge the snow. If it stays too long, branches can break, while others might not spring back if the snow stays too long.

Several years ago, one of two trunks of a Japanese Umbrella pine (Sciadopitys verticillata, above) was broken in heavy snow, and if I delay in knocking the snow off there have been a few times when I must prune a branch that obstructs a path. Fortunately, damage to the tall Umbrella pine is far overhead and can hardly be noticed, but I can easily prevent damage to smaller shrubs.