But in the time between someone shovelling, and me noticing the fact, another two inches of snow had fallen, so I gingerly went out to push, not shovel, it away. Result was elbows that screamed the rest of the day along with a knee that ached and ached so that I couldn't stay asleep that night and kept waking to grey darkness. I conclude that this is what winter knees and elbows do. Last winter was the same, hobble hobble in the morning. A year of strengthening exercises has made no difference, even though in more reasonable seasons I can get up and walk around easily after a mere five minutes or so of stretching.
I notice this increased decrepitude most in my rare baths. Had one today because more snow fell last night and I needed to clear it again so elbows etc etc Hot water is an analgesic stronger than Tylenol, but to get into the bath I have to kneel, put my upper torso in the water, and slide over onto my back like a baby elephant splashing in a pool. To get out I reverse the process, but while lowering into the water is easy enough, pushing my upper half out, requires elbow action, and my elbows won't anymore.
