I'm proud to call Minnesota home. While there are times when I think I'd rather live someplace else, I'm often surprised by Minnesota's reaction to the weather here.
It's the beginning of February. We've got snow on the ground, although not that much, and it's nearly 50 degrees outside today. A few months ago, we would've called this chilly, but today people ar driving with car windows open, going outside without coats, and generally acting as if Spring were starting tomorrow.
I love it.
Some people might think we're crazy for living in a place where, just a few weeks ago, the actual temp in northern Minnesota was 56 BELOW ZERO. In reality the cold weather does not stay for long, and when it sweeps away, the crystal-blue skies disappear along with the chilll. When it's that cold, it's to cold to snow. Weird.
But now, as we roll into February and March, we have a good chance of snow. Warmer (relatively speaking) days bring us closer to the freezing point, and the chance of much snow is pretty good. Still thinking of buying that new snowthrower? Well, it's like buying a convertible in the middle of the summer, folks, the demand and the prices are high. Waiting for a good deal? Gotta wait till March or so.
Even with the weather weirdness, I think the cold weather and snow keeps out the cultural riff-raff, as it's harder to make a quick getaway when your getaway car won't start. It's hard to hideout from the police when there is a chance of freezing to death. I even think that carjackers think twice in the winter... opting to hop in and ask to warm up rather than demanding the keys. Yes, I know I'm possibly twisted in my thinking, but my wild conclusions are mine alone.
So, 50 and breezy today has folks in short sleeves milling around the lunchtime restaurants, asking if the patio is open today. Some may call us crazy. We're not. We just love the outdoors... when it's not 56 below zero.
Posted by MEK at February 4, 2005 01:32 PM