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But it feels good. I have blister and several proto-blisters on my hands and fingers, my arms and back hurt and it feels great.
Really.
I’m Not Kidding.
My car’s thermometer told me it was 46 in my driveway. The driveway glaciers were beginning to break up of their own accord, but not nearly fast enough.
The hardware store was sold out of the things that are specifically designed to break ice up, so for a mere $8.99 I bought a flat garden shovel and went crazy on the driveway.
It felt GREAT to hack away at the ice sheets, stick the shovel underneath some larger sheets and lift away whole ice sheets.

While I was hacking away at the ice sheets, I was lamenting my current lack of any lingering aggression or anger at anything. It would have been a great place to channel rage, anger, frustration or anxiety.
As life would have it, the only thing I could be angry at was winter itself.
I also took note of how hard it is to break up ice that is up to 3” thick and was glad that when it comes time to garden, at least dirt can’t possibly as hard to break up. I learned some other important lessons, too.
1) Take off all rings (it HURTS when you pinch fingers between rings and wooden handle!)
2) Wear leather work gloves (see previous comment)

I didn’t actually get to finish the driveway. I got started way too late in the day to take full advantage of the sun and I had to take a few breaks to perform parenting and laundry duties. Regardless, I made significant progress and I got to be outside in a t-shirt without freezing for the first time in 2008. Sure, all of my handiwork will be erased by the rain and snow coming our way, but the weather was a sign that spring really is coming.

YAY!