Not surprisingly, Sack people spend more time indoors during the winter. This is true of most northern climates. Routine social interaction declines significantly. Informal chats at the curb and lazy "sit-downs" on your porch just don't happen when winter comes.
Snow shoveling offers the opportunity to catch up on each other's lives. During the long, cold months of winter, it gives you the chance to feel connected again and to feel like part of a community.
I could still do without the shoveling, though.
***
Gender is a key issue in Sack shoveling protocol.
The Sack is a mixed-bag of people. Generally, people are fairly accepting of each other's differences. When it comes to snow shoveling, however, notions of masculinity and femininity are reset to the 1950's.
To put it plainly, it's a man's responsibility to shovel snow. Not just at his own home, but any other home where a man isn't there. It doesn't matter if a man lives in a home, but just isn't home at the time. Other dudes are going to be responsible for his shoveling.
***
I have no idea why this practice exists. It's not that I'm against being helpful to one's neighbours. I'm all for generosity and kindness. You might say I'm a big fan of both. It's the orthodoxy of it that gets me.
And I could still do without the shoveling.
***
I'm not sure if Florence has ever shoveled her driveway.
As a single woman, she is viewed as a damsel in distress when the snow starts to fly. Gordon will immediately shovel her driveway when he finishes his own. Since we live next door to Florence, I'm expected to help him.
***
Mrs. Wonders enjoys shoveling. There are people like that.
Even though we shovel together, she thinks it's important for me to help Gordon or anyone else when the unwritten code is being enacted. It's not because she believes in the code. She just thinks it's a way of getting along with people.
I could still do without the shoveling, though.
***
There used to be a lesbian couple who lived in The Sack. They were fit, active and athletic.
When it snowed, however, they were viewed as two disabled, elderly spinsters. Even a few people who tend not to approve of such couplings were quick to shovel their driveway.
I know for a fact that lesbians can shovel snow. I've even seen them do it.
***
Another bizarre Sack shoveling protocol relates to winter vacations.
If you go somewhere warm for a few weeks while everyone else has to slog around in the cold slush, you're probably going to be shoveling as soon as you get back.
No one is going to shovel for you. It's that simple.
***
Ben and Norma were in Arizona when White Juan hit the old town.
It took several days for people to shovel their driveways. The street wasn't fully plowed for four days. There was a lot of shoveling going on.
It was very tiring work. Oscar looked over at Ben and Norma's house and whistled softly.
Then he said, "They're gonna have a lot of work to do, when they get back."
Everyone nodded and continued their own shoveling. It was an unspoken question about leaving Ben and Norma with so much work to do when they returned from Arizona.
***
During a pause in the shoveling, I finally put the question out to a small assembly of people.
"Do you guys think we should shovel Ben and Norma's place?"
There was a long pause as people considered the question and looked at each other for guidance. Finally, everyone spoke simultaneously.
"Nah."
***
A few days before Ben and Norma came home, the snow had melted a bit. It was also a bit lighter.
So we shoveled their driveway, anyway. They were very pleased when they came home. Norma made cherry pie for everyone who helped.
I don't really like cherry pie. And I could still do without the shoveling.
***
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