A little while ago I received a call from Molly, who writes remotely for The St. Paul Pioneer Press. She wanted to know my thoughts about the weather, especially since I live in Fargo, ND, “Cold Weather Capital of the Upper Midwest.” (That’s my own title…I realize there are places that are colder on average, but we seem to be a symbol for harsh weather and people who enjoy torturing themselves through living here.) I’ll look forward to reading her story when it comes out.
In the meantime, yesterday a friend from Indiana told me about a certain song I should know about. I found a link to it and will post it here. It’s worth a listen. Am I the only Fargoan who has never heard this song until now? Where have I been? In a snow cave?
Well, yes, I have.
It’s really interesting what goes on in Fargo in the wee hours of winter. Monday night I was out late doing my night-out writing “date with myself,” and, as I often do, I stopped by the grocery store on the way home. It was 1 a.m., and the snowplows were in the parking lot, buzzing around like little kids in bumper cars. Honestly, they looked like they were having a total blast. The temperature was double negatives, and yet they were in their T-shirts in the snowplow cabs like it was playtime on the beach. It seemed so surreal. They had the parking lot as smooth as an ice-skating rink.
But on the way home from that grocery run, as I weaved through the narrow streets (due to the four-foot-high snow walls on either side), I couldn’t help but think: Was this climate, this environment, really meant to be inhabited by people?
I’ve often looked at those who flee from this part of the country for warmer, “easier” climates as a little soft. But lately, I’ve honestly been wondering, why the self-torture?
I think the answer came during my interview with Molly. It’s a thought I’ve often had when contemplating winter. Winters might be tough here, but there is no springtime like those we have in this region. Seriously. When we lived out in Washington state, spring was nice. Here, it’s a total party, a SPRING FEST EXTRAVAGANZA.
Unless, of course, there’s a flood. (sigh)
Well, we take our luck as it comes. I’m hoping for the spring party. It all depends on how quickly (or slowly) the snow walls melt.
So, you tell me. Are we hardy, or just nuts?
Molly called me, too!!! I’ve come to realize that DO feel slightly superior to my friends who inhabit warmer climes. I guess we all need something to make us feel good about ourselves…
Thank you for suddenly making me feel as though Albany, NY, is downright balmy!
Mary: Happy to help you feel better, any time. 🙂
Barbara: Neat! It will be fun to see what she does with that. And I chuckled at your statement about superiority. You’re right. We’ve got to have something to build us up again after the weather has wreaked havoc on us. 🙂
I’ll be looking for that article! (And I don’t typically read the Pioneer Press online). I agree… I’d rather live North knowing that yes it’s cold, but it’s liveable. Friends that live in Texas can argue about their weather all they’d like, but I’d MUCH RATHER do a day in -15 air temperature than 110 degree heat! Ye-uck!
And yes, Spring in the Northland is nothing like spring anywhere else!
Jen, I can’t do high heat either, and either can my hubby. In my case, I am fair-skinned and that doesn’t go well with high- high temps.
Well, I’m feeling quite inferior this morning because it’s only ten below here. 😉
And, although I complain about the weather here in Nebraska, I do have to admit that I love the seasonal changes, and would miss them terribly if we moved too far south.
No, no, no. Not meant to be inhabited. No. No.
I’m cold. That’s all I can say.