Shoveling For Old Farts
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2015 11:37 am
As I am now officially an old fart, I thought maybe some of my tricks for cleaning the walks
may help other old farts and those not as old in helping them keep their walks clean. As a
property owner and landlord, I understood that living in northern climates often made me do
things I had no interest in, some may even be life threatening.
One of the big keys is Gary Rice's One Shovel Wide.
First, make sure you can exercise or shovel. Shoveling is very strenuous and combine cardo
vascular work out, with a weight work out, it can be a killer.
The best way for old farts to do their walks is find someone younger. This would be a great
way for High School Teams and groups to bank some serious cash. Likewise H2O could
work wonders on their programs jumping in and making some dollars on seniors.
But if that fails, and it still snows, try this...
1) Keep up on it on a level you can manage. Under an inch, a broom works well and that
makes it more of a cardiovascular work out, with a touch of Zen thrown in, if you have the
right attitude.
Should you fail to keep up on it, and you still would like to clear your walks for others, a
really fine way to give back to the community. Make one pathway. Pushing, brushing just
moving the snow for a clear pathway. Take frequent breaks, and never work yourself to
extremes of exhaustion or out of breath. Relax, don;t think about how it was as a kid,
do not get frustrated at moving slower, immerse yourself in the experience. Smell the
cool crisp air, look at the change you have made in the 6 feet you have done. Look up
look at the street, take in winter in all of its glory, then do another couple feet. Never
working yourself to death. Heart attacks can and do occur after the activity while cooling
down. NEVER WORK YOURSELF TO HARD, baby steps.
After you get your pathway done, then go back and take whatever size section you can
easily lift and manage. If that is two inches one handed with a broom, than so be it.
Continue taking small bites out of the walkway, using the grass and leverage to lift and
clean your shovel. If done within limits it should be just a little more effort than a broom.
STILL NEVER WORK YOURSELF TO EXHAUSTION!!
If you have miles of walks like some of us. Partner with neighbors that have snow blowers
and kids. Here my neighbor does the front walk with a snow blower, and I go back through
the day cleaning the falling snow from the walks. Everyone working within their limits.
Walks are not worth dying over, but with a little planning and a little help, they can be as
good as a trip to the rec center, errrr YMCA. For those out with snow blowers, shovels, kids
etc. I have generally found doing a neighbors walk is one of the nicest things you can do
for them. A great way to build a neighborhood.
.
may help other old farts and those not as old in helping them keep their walks clean. As a
property owner and landlord, I understood that living in northern climates often made me do
things I had no interest in, some may even be life threatening.
One of the big keys is Gary Rice's One Shovel Wide.
First, make sure you can exercise or shovel. Shoveling is very strenuous and combine cardo
vascular work out, with a weight work out, it can be a killer.
The best way for old farts to do their walks is find someone younger. This would be a great
way for High School Teams and groups to bank some serious cash. Likewise H2O could
work wonders on their programs jumping in and making some dollars on seniors.
But if that fails, and it still snows, try this...
1) Keep up on it on a level you can manage. Under an inch, a broom works well and that
makes it more of a cardiovascular work out, with a touch of Zen thrown in, if you have the
right attitude.
Should you fail to keep up on it, and you still would like to clear your walks for others, a
really fine way to give back to the community. Make one pathway. Pushing, brushing just
moving the snow for a clear pathway. Take frequent breaks, and never work yourself to
extremes of exhaustion or out of breath. Relax, don;t think about how it was as a kid,
do not get frustrated at moving slower, immerse yourself in the experience. Smell the
cool crisp air, look at the change you have made in the 6 feet you have done. Look up
look at the street, take in winter in all of its glory, then do another couple feet. Never
working yourself to death. Heart attacks can and do occur after the activity while cooling
down. NEVER WORK YOURSELF TO HARD, baby steps.
After you get your pathway done, then go back and take whatever size section you can
easily lift and manage. If that is two inches one handed with a broom, than so be it.
Continue taking small bites out of the walkway, using the grass and leverage to lift and
clean your shovel. If done within limits it should be just a little more effort than a broom.
STILL NEVER WORK YOURSELF TO EXHAUSTION!!
If you have miles of walks like some of us. Partner with neighbors that have snow blowers
and kids. Here my neighbor does the front walk with a snow blower, and I go back through
the day cleaning the falling snow from the walks. Everyone working within their limits.
Walks are not worth dying over, but with a little planning and a little help, they can be as
good as a trip to the rec center, errrr YMCA. For those out with snow blowers, shovels, kids
etc. I have generally found doing a neighbors walk is one of the nicest things you can do
for them. A great way to build a neighborhood.
.
I'm using the "afternoon sun melt" method. Might even have me a drink while I watch it melt!
