I remember when I was a youngster in the early ’60s, when the snow came, I’d nail a piece of scrap plywood to an old broomstick and go shovel the seniors’ steps and sidewalks for a paper $1, driveway too, $2.
I saved money to buy a better square shovel (I still have) so I could do a better job. I loved ‘snow days’ I could make more money. In the summer, I’d do their lawns with a hand mower, edges included, with shears and my square shovel, for $2, some very large lawns. Fall, leaf raking with a bamboo rake.
I had quite the clientele of seniors I’d do any jobs for year round. By the time I turned 14, I had enough money to buy my first car, by 15 it was all hot-rodded-up and waiting for 16 and my driver’s licence.
In the last 12 years, I’ve had one special needs fellow come offer to shovel my snow for $5. I gave him $20, for his initiative.
Now that I’m in my 70s I’ve got one, albeit rhetorical, question. ‘Where’s the kids?’
Drew McClure
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