Is it spring yet?

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Shoveling Snow

OK, I have to admit it, I was not born in Montana.

That’s a big deal to many born-in-the-state Montanans.

I was born in place called Culver City. That was a town in California — sorry about using the “C” word — and I was raised in a little place called … listen, I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t share this with anyone else.

Some native Montanans wouldn’t understand.

I was raised in a little placed called … Los Angeles.

For the first twenty-five years of my life, I never had to shovel snow. Never. I mowed, edged, trimmed, and raked, but I never once had to grab a snow shovel and clear out a path to anywhere.

I share that because last week we were under what the weather service called a “Winter Storm Watch” and I ended up spending several hours shoveling snow over the course of the storm.

In fact, on just one of those days I had to go outside and shovel snow three separate times. The first two times were the result of that white stuff falling out of the sky. The third time was because our efficient city workers cleared the streets so it would be safe to drive.

However, the snow and ice they scraped off the street had to be put somewhere, and they decided a good portion of it should be piled on my driveway.

So, as I returned from a shopping excursion I was intending to head into my driveway and then into the safety of my garage, but I had to stop. There was a wall about 2 or 3 feet high of snow and ice across the driveway.

I had to decide if I would stop the car, get out and shovel a path, or just plow into it and hope I didn’t get stuck.

I chose the latter approach. I lined up the car to get a good angle and enough momentum to break through. Then, I plowed through the barrier of snow and ice.

Fortunately, I made it.

I pulled into the safety of the garage, then spent the next half hour shoveling snow and ice so I would have a clear path when I needed to leave.

The Weather Changes

Fortunately, this week the weather has changed. The weather service predicts there won’t be any snow, so that means my snow shoveling skills will get a little break.

I’m looking forward to that.

Of course, they did issue a “Cold Weather Advisory,” saying it would get down to minus15 degrees, but I won’t have to shovel snow.

Besides, I learned how to handle cold back in my early days in L.A. I can remember some days were so cold it would get into the low 50’s.

Yeah, the low 50’s.

But I survived.

And if I could survive that, surely minus15 can’t be much worse.

The Writer’s Life

Just like navigating a snowstorm, writing is a journey of persistence.

Speaking of which, I have an exciting update on my latest script. I entered it in a small contest designed to encourage filmmakers and writers to create faith-based materials.

The script did very well, and I received a couple of awards.

I appreciate what that group is doing. It was encouraging to receive the awards, and hopefully it will also be useful as I market my script.

It was a very nice gift to begin the new year.

Speaking of gifts, if you’re looking for something meaningful this Valentine’s Day, here are two businesses I recommend.

I would encourage you to check out KushLife Designs. The designer creates some beautiful jewelry, and she has a special going on right now.

And if you like note cards — You know, those actual physical cards where you can hand write a personal note — I have a source you might want to check out. I love writing notes to people and I think the artists have created beautiful cards. And I really like that they don’t use AI to create the illustrations. They actually draw them. You can check out their Etsy store at 1212Collective.

NOTE: I don’t receive any commission from these businesses, but I do know the people involved with both of them.

Before I go, I’d like to share a blessing with you from the Old Testament.

“May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may he be gracious to you, show you his favor, and give you his peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 (The Living Bible)

Until next time … be the reason someone smiles today