4/20/19
Here in the Midwest, we are about at our wits end by the time Spring rolls around. After months of chattering teeth and freezing our digits off we get a little crazy when the local weatherman finally announces that the temps will be rising up into the 50's or 60's.
It is at that moment we leap from our comfy recliners, sprint to our closets and pack up our winter coats, hats, mittens and scarves and toss them in a cardboard box labeled WINTER STUFF. We still keep our boots handy throughout the Spring to get to and from the mailbox in the mud.
One of you out there who is not native to this northern climate challenged me to give you 3 good reasons why we continue to torture ourselves Up North. First of all, I had to educate my reader. She was unaware that Madison, WI is not even considered to be Up North. I lived Up North for 13 years and trust me, it's colder there...much much colder. She'd never make it. She had a parka, hat and mittens on when it was 53 degrees. So, I think it's safe to say she doesn't know what cold really feels like.
3 Reasons Why We Can't (or Won't) Move South
*I'm not speaking for every person from the Midwest. Someone has to own the condos in Florida for us to visit, just saying. The collective We are for those of us who anticipate that first beautiful snowfall in November but are DONE with it by March 1.
1) The terrible winter weather gives us something to talk about at church on Sundays. It's a conversation starter. We secretly like to outdo each other with miserable weather woes we have endured between Sundays. To say that you couldn't even make it to 8 am service last week because you were snowed in but somehow managed to shovel a path down your driveway to get your whole family to church in time for Sunday School at 9:15 well, I'm telling you. Those are extra points right there.
2) It wouldn't be the same for us if we could eat Christmas dinner out on a deck or at the beach. Really, the deck or beach? Outside? We know you are kidding here. We need to be elbow to elbows sweating from food overload around Aunt Edna's oak table stuffing ourselves full of turkey and all the trimmings just like we did four weeks earlier at Grandma Freda's house. We like to regale each other with tales of how much weight we've already gained and then top it off with slices of pumpkin pie! Eating out on the deck might mean we'd be offered a barbeque, which may even include FRESH FRUIT or say a SALAD! We just can't have that. No, we cannot.
3) We would have nothing to wear during the winter months in the South. All we own are Packer, Badger and other team related items with matching sweatpants and slippers for the cold season up here. They are comfy and roomy. The cold months bring in an extra thermal layer and frankly, we like it. What would we be expected to don down there anyway? Sandals? Shorts? t-shirts? Swim attire? Please. Those things have been packed up since Labor Day Weekend into the boxes marked SUMMER STUFF.
These are only the beginning of the reasons we will never give up our dreaded winters. Sure, we'll go on vacations to the South. As a matter of fact Mr. Quilter Cook and I heard about that polar vortex and just like nobody's business hopped on a plane at -28 degrees for Dallas, Texas where it was 50 degrees. The plane hit terrible turbulence and we were sure we'd crash somewhere over Missouri, but we persevered. We needed a break from all that cold. BUT, we came back five days later. The mailbox was frozen shut and our Amazon delivery boxes were frozen to our front steps when we got back, but that's to be expected.
But alas enough of all that talk. It is Springtime again!
Today we took a road trip to IL and photographed four covered bridges. The day was a glorious 70 degrees (almost) and the sun was shining bright. Tomorrow, on Easter Day the forecast is for 80 degrees! I plan to wear my sandals to church to celebrate! Granted, it won't be 80 degrees at 8am, but by golly I'm wearing them anyway!
Even if that mean weatherman predicts a sudden snowstorm, I'M WEARING THE SANDALS!
Rhonda
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