snow, blowing snow

True to form, the day before I leave, the snow has come. Not enough to provide good skiing at the bowl, but enough to keep me from going into town today. I90 is black ice and snow and blowing snow... good reason to stay put. I will go over the snowblower manual and fire her up for my first dance with the beast. She travels on caterpillar tread, and our first year of having her, there was always BiL or Josh or Martin to take her reins, but today it is just me. I want to be able to work with her, and not be intimidated or cowed by her heft and power. 'Only one way to do that as I see it. The shovel is my pal, and I am happy to scoop herringbone designs into our curved uphill drive, but the days will come when the snow is too much for that, and BiL will be healing of knee surgery, and I want to be ready.