There's No Business Like Snow Business

Here is the view from our dining area on 12/21/08...and it is still snowing, and it is predicted to keep snowing for days.

We live on a little private road with nine other houses.  Somehow, we inherited management of the snowplowing bill.  It is a typical example of no good deed going unpunished.

Our plower charges by the visit, rather than by the season.  More snow means more charges.  We see flocks of winged dollars swirling in each storm, and none of them roost nearby.  They disappear like financial fairies.

In past years we have sent notices to everyone in the spring, detailing how much they need to reimburse us.  This year we'll be sending a notice halfway through the snow season for two reasons:  1) A huge bill in the spring would be an unpleasant burden for our neighbors.  2) Fronting the huge cost all winter would be an unpleasant burden for us.

Welcome to Michigan, the Winter Wonderland.