This is it. The weather that makes or breaks Wisconsinites. It’s not just the temperature. Sure, it’s 4 below zero with negative double digit wind chill. It’s the whole kit and caboodle.
It’s not the beautiful, fluffy snowflakes that start in late November and make us think Christmasy thoughts.
It’s not the dense, backbreaking snowfalls that leave us plowed under but make our kids giggle in anticipation of snowman-building and a trip to the local sledding hill.
It’s the thaw. Followed by the freeze. Followed by the rain. Followed by the sub-zero freeze.
It’s what I call Mother Nature’s big tease.
We know better. It’s January, for goodness sake. But still, 46 degrees and an early viewing of our lawn makes us daydream about spring. You walk outside and you can smell things again. You start to visualize your garden. You make promises to walk more often. You consider taking up running. Silly, silly you.
Wait a minute, it will change.
And honestly, that’s what I like about Wisconsin. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I spent my freshman year of college in balmy Florida. It was an idea borne of very little information. One of those things you assume is a great idea. And it was, for a while. But the weather never changed. I never appreciated the good, because I always had it. I missed the change in seasons. I missed my family too and eventually decided to make Florida a vacation destination and not a residence.
Even today, I’m still glad. I like the idea of hunkering down and popping up my collar and grinning and bearing the weather. Sort of like hitting yourself on the head – it feels so good when you stop.
And while I’m patting myself on the back for the fortitude, I make a personal promise not to get excited next month when the temperature reaches 50 degrees. Because it will...but it will not last. And that’s OK.
