Yes.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 7:50PM It is cold.
Yes. We have snow.
Yes, I live here voluntarily.
In part because of this:
When the temperature drops, Lake Superior steams.
That's how cold it is: Lake Superior is warmer than the air.
Let me repeat. Lake Superior is warmer than the air.
Not to be too morbid, but Lake Superior is so cold that even in the summer, dead things don't float to the surface. The water is too cold to allow the gas-producing bacteria to multiply and cause buoyancy.
The southern part of Minnesota got walloped with a few feet of snow over the weekend -- we were not so lucky. (I love a good snow day.) Everyone in my neck of the woods made an effort to batten down the hatches based on the (wrong, wrong wrong!) predictions of meteorologists -- we made sure we had plenty of wood for the wood stove, snacks for the children, and I brought home all the yarn for the knitting projects next in the queue.
11-18", they told us.
We waited by the fire for the show to begin, and it never did. It was like looking forward to a really exciting movie, only to arrive at the theater, plunk yourself down in a seat with your popcorn and candy, and wait for the movie to start. You sit and sit, and periodically the manager comes out and says, "We're almost there, folks -- should just be a couple more minutes, and everything will be fixed."
You consume all your popcorn and your Milk Duds and make a quick dash to the concession stand for some Reese's Pieces before the movie starts.
You eat all the Reese's Pieces and some of your beloved's Junior Mints.
You fall into a deep sugar coma.
When you awaken, the manager is waiting for you. He says the movie will start any second. Any second, really.
It never does.
Eventually, you concede that the movie is well and truly broken and leave the theater. When you walk to your car, you discover it won't start.
That's where we are right now -- in the broken down car of twenty degrees below zero, disappointed that we waited in vain at the movie theater.
But at least we have this:
This weekend I complained to my sister about my lack of apparel for dressy winter occasions. I was going to the ballet and couldn't find anything that would neither bring shame to my family (read: jeans and a T-shirt at The Nutcracker) or cause me to die of hypothermia. She was supposed to offer helpful suggestions to her sister who hasn't lived in a climate this cold in over a decade. Something like, "I will drop you off at the door so you don't develop hypothermia walking the long distance from the parking garage to the entrance."
Or, "I have a dressy, floor-length down parka you can borrow."
Or, "Wear these mulkluks that I've dressified with my Bedazzler."
But no.
Do you know what she told me?
"Suck it up and be a Minnesotan."
Fine. I will.
And I may even like it.
Reader Comments (13)
Breath taking.
This made me laugh,I know the feeling! It will be -36°F tonight here and a big high of -30° tomorrow. I don't own much sub-zero dressy clothes either. In those temps even your car ride can be dangerous if you break down without proper clothing. We live a half hour from town so at minimum we need to carry warm things to put on 'just in case'. I try not to get out much when it's this cold though,5 kids and huge pregnant=WAY TO HARD :D
I love how it looks so blue, that winter blue. I see a colorway in the making. We only got about 5 inches... I was hoping for more as well. I love how after the storm it is that clear crisp bright, it makes the snow sparkle!
How many Nutcrackers were there in Duluth this weekend? My friend went up to see his niece in one and had to stay an extra night due to all the snow in the cities. YOU should see the cities. Snow is really piled high. Do recall some winters when Park Point got snowed in impassably...so think you will have your chances.
Ah, the joys of dressing up in the subzero weather. Nothing like a lacy little numberaccompanied by snowmobile boots and a coat down to ones ankles. It feels so dorky! Suggested solution - nice blazer and pants.
Now, the colours in that photo need to be yarn.
I have long held that in some future life full of fancy parties and the wealth to make wishes come true, I will have a ball gown of the blue that is a four o'clock in the afternoon shadow on snow. You know, the ones when the sun is so bright, the snow is so new, and as the sun slants downward for evening it creates these pockets of a blue unlike anything but a prairie winter shadow.
I only know of one Nutcracker performance -- that of the Minnesota ballet. But there could be others I don't know of, Gwen!
I agree. That blue in the shadows would be an amazing yarn color!!. But please tell if that is a wave (looks huge) or if is the steam forming a cloud? I can't stop thinking about it!! I am so sorry that you didn't get your snow, but winter is just getting going, so there is still hope!
It's low-lying cloud cover, Kathy Sue. No giant waves here!
I enjoyed listening to your interview on Fiber Beat, and I'm happy to have found this beautiful blog site.
I live in the Chicago area of Northwest Indiana, and I, too am working on developing a renewed appreciation of winter . . . suck it up, as you say.
Aging has a way of making winter an enemy, and I've decided that, since I never want to grow up, I need to love winter the way I once did when I was a child.
Plus, it's SWEATER WEATHER! If that isn't a blessing, what is?
Keep up the good work here. I look forward to visiting again.
Sweater weather indeed! And also hat, scarf, mitten, and sock weather. Hooray!
Well, I couldn't resist - that lovely picture has become my new desktop wallpaper! I was just thinking earlier that it was about time to find a seasonally-inspired replacement for the gorgeous Fall wallpaper I sported for several months now, and this was just perfect, so thank you!
I was just browsing the historical weather data for my area yesterday and it seems that the winters are getting colder earlier here with temps hanging on to the lowest numbers of the thermometer for longer stretches of time. I live in a 'burb out west of Chicago and I think we got a bit spoiled by several years of mostly mild winters - I know I did! Fortunately I am adjusting to the cold to the point that when the temps RISE into the low twenties - it almost feels like spring to me!
When I have to step outside, fashion is usually the LAST thing on my mind, but I am fortunately well-armed even if I do need to mix fashion with warmth. I have my secret weapon: A floor-length faux-fur lined faux suede coat that is sooo warm, I could almost step out in subzero weather with nothing else on (though I won't, ha!). It is a coat that could be worn to the Opera without bringing shame on my loved ones. Not that I'm scheduled to go to the opera - or a ballet - anytime soon, but at least I'm ready! Only downside is that this sucker is HEAVY and just a bit stiff when all closed up, but I can live with that. I bought it a few (5? 6?) years ago out of a Newport News catalog for a very reasonable price.
But, fancy events aside, if I'm stepping out for a quick smoke (which is only done outside, regardless of weather) or to throw out the trash, I probably get mistaken for a homeless person. A very ROUND homeless person, thanks to all the layers I put on! My neighbors have gotten used to the spectacle and no longer snicker through their gritted teeth as they foolishly run hatless to their ice-covered cars!
Gorgeous! I don't do dress-up any more....I just do the real me. My friends don't care, but I can admit that once in a while it would be nice to not look like a country bumpkin when I go to an event in the city. Somehow my practical boots just don't cut it with a skirt...imagine! But I do like to be warm, as I imagine you do.
Spoken like a true sister! ; )