For all of you who may be thinking of moving to northern Michigan—and I’m sure that’s quite a few of you given how pretty the snow is—I have a list of the people you will need to get to know right away:
- A well guy
- A septic guy
- A wood guy
- And last, but definitely not least, a plow guy
Dale Reedy is my plow guy. When it has been snowing and blowing and I am in danger of being buried until May, I long for just two sounds: the roar of the big Antrim County Road Commission plow making its way down the road, and the clang of the blade on Dale’s teal truck as it bites into the mess the ACRC plow piled across the end of my driveway. This morning I was so glad to hear Dale that I ran out to take pictures. That teal truck is the most beautiful sight in the world. [Update 12/26/08: I added a Chores and Maintenance section to “In Business in Torch Lake Township” over on the right. Dale’s listed.]
Torch Lake Views 
Jane Louise
December 10, 2008
I hear you! Six inches of snow in the driveway makes me feel claustrophobic. My husband scoffs, and tells me my four wheel drive can still make it, but who knows? I don’t have to go anywhere, but I MIGHT want to go somewhere.
I love the beauty of winter, but not blocking my way to freedom and the open road.
Gerry
December 10, 2008
Jane, I think that pretty much sums up the fundamental principle of American culture: “Don’t fence me in!” Ah, the romance of the open road . . . even when we’re cozy inside on a snowy day, we might want to go somewhere! Miss Sadie, the Cowboy and I love wandering about looking at the world (and, in their case, rolling in it). Miss Puss keeps her own counsel, but I suspect she gets about a good deal on her night-time expeditions. “Freedom of movement” is right up there with speech and conscience.
Beth, you are a lucky woman. Treasure that man, and give him books about well management for Christmas.
Beth Toner
December 10, 2008
Thankfully, my husband IS a plow guy, and a wood guy. 🙂 The other two we’d have to call for.
Anonymous
December 10, 2008
I don’t mind shoveling snow except the lumps of hard chunky, sandy, dirty, ice the AC Road Commission dumps at the end of my driveway. Of course the driveway isn’t that long so it ends up filling about 1/2 of it.
P.S. I love the falling snow on these pages. I just wish the real stuff was that easy to turn on and off!
Katherine
December 10, 2008
How about “do it yourself”septic management?
Septic Systems and Their Maintenance
I love having this very big encyclopedia called the internet at my “disposal” haha.
Ed. note: Katherine, I am in complete denial with respect to septic systems. Maybe we should do a whole article about the subject in the spring. Sigh. The link you sent is really good, by the way.
Dad
December 10, 2008
Gerry, Your Grampa Roy used to shovel the long driveway to Skunk Creek Farm by hand so we could bring you out to visit them. I believe it was more than an eighth of a mile.
We got stuck on the road about a half mile from the farm one winter and hiked in with you. We sat by the kitchen window and when we saw the lights of the plow heading up the road, I ran back down to the car to move it with the driver’s help.
Gerry
December 11, 2008
Hi, Dad! Grampa wasn’t one for saying much, but he would do things that showed us his love. I’ll have to put a photo of that long driveway on the family blog.
I remember sitting in Gram’s lap when you and Mom were out for the evening, watching for your lights. We could see those old lights from a long way away, their beams arcing through the dark like Star Wars lasers, not like the more diffuse lights we have now. It was always good to be at the farm. It was always good when you and Mom came to take me home. Good ol’ Rhinelander days!
Katy
December 11, 2008
I want to put in a “thankgodfor” my plow guy, Gerry Ellison. And my man for all seasons, Ken Ernst. And for you, Gerry. And all your correspondents who make my day everyday.
Gerry
December 11, 2008
Katy, you must get a LOT of snowdrifts up there on the hill. A good plow guy is worth more than rubies . . . and a man for all seasons, now there’s one I didn’t think to put on the list. (Is Ken related to Tom? Tom put my roof on 7 or 8 years ago. That was another early winter, and a long one, too. I digress.)
All my correspondents–especially the ones who send me photos and observations for posts–make my day every day, too. And that, Ms. photo-of-the-waterspout, would include you!
Thank you.