Den of the Beastly Bear
Hey Folks!
I'm not a prick! Really....I'm not!!!
But here's the thing: if I'm going out of my way to do something nice for you, and you treat me like shit for my effort...
Guess what? That'll be the last time...
Case in point:
Many moons ago, I finally convinced my wife I needed a snow thrower.
Wisely, I did not take her with me and therefore bought exactly what I wanted.
A 10hp. 2 stage, 26" wide behemouth with 6 forward and 2 reverse self propelled speeds!
Of course when I got home my wife had a fit!
"Why did you get such a huge snow thrower?!?"
"Because, hon...we live in Michigan and we sometimes get big snowfalls! Plus I can help out the neighbors..."
And I did...
I was the first of our little group to get a snowblower.
So not only did I do ours, but my neighbors on either side of us. Also, kitty corner across the street to the left we have a couple of E.R. nurses that are getting older(well older than me anyway!), directly across the street a young couple with 2 toddlers, and kitty corner to the right a pair of retired female teachers! So that is 6 driveways every major snowfall!!!
Until...
We'd had a good 8" snowfall, heavy and wet...the kind you sure don't want to shovel!
I had done 3 driveways and had just started on the neighbors across the street (the younger couple with toddlers), I'd done a couple of passes when the wife pulled up in her minivan. I powered down the blower and walked out to talk to her. She rolled the window down about halfway.
"If you want, you can pull into my driveway...I won't be but another 5 minutes." I told her.
"I've got groceries and a baby in the car, I need in my house right now!!!" She snapped.
To say I was taken aback by the venom of her response would be an understatement...in truth I just stared at her for a moment.
Evidently not answering quickly enough, she said "Well?"
"By all means," I replied bowing and waving her in "just let me move the snowblower and you can pull right in..."
I moved to the side, she blew into the driveway...into the garage, and closed it behind her before she even got out of the van. Now, given that their driveway is 12' wide, and my snowblower clears 26" a pass...at most it would have taken 6 passes to completely clear the driveway and I was already a quarter of the way done, she really would not have had long to wait.
I don't charge my neighbors a dime, nor do I expect anything in return. But if you can't even be civil to me, let alone offer up a 'Thanks' then guess what? You forfeit my help!
That was the last time I did their driveway...
Yes I realize I was punishing him more than her, and I kept hoping he'd ask why I suddenly stopped doing his driveway when I continued to do everyone else's. Just so I could say "Well it's because your wife is a raging bitch!!!"
Which is not to say I NEVER helped him...but it was more on a quid pro quo basis. He helped me get my car unstuck, I'd clear his drive next snowfall, things like that...
He eventually got himself a small snow blower, has done my drive a couple times when there's only an inch or two. In return I help him out when the snow is really deep or particularly heavy.
My wife says I shouldn't hold grudges...and she's right, but I like to say "I don't!"
Because I don't...I don't "hold" them.
I take them in, build them a little home where they live and grow all on their own. Sometimes people feed them and they get bigger, and stronger...until it's time to let them out! At just...the...right...moment!!!
I am a calculating old bear...
So should you suspect me of being less than kind hearted know that there is certainly a reason behind it!
P.S.
I was feeling generous today and did their driveway anyways.
Be Well Folks!
Stay warm and be Careful if you're driving in this mess!!!
Beastly Bear
