Withlemon

There are many times when I’m proud to say I’m from the Midwest. We are known for our strong work ethic, hardiness,being friendly and our ability to consume more than our own weight in alcohol and still drive home. (No one really NEEDED those park benches did they?)

The other night the wifey and I were at a pretty formal dinner for a local non-profit that I’m involved in. As we were sitting there making small talk, we came to find out that a couple at the table had just move here from the south. As soon as I heard this, I smiled to myself thinking they were about to figure our what the word “winter” means. They were talking about how cold it was that day. It may have been chilly, but not cold, we’re talking right around 30 degrees. Everyone else at the table laughed in unison. I was just waiting for someone else to say it, and sure enough, the midwestern pride shone though.
“You haven’t seen anything yet, most of us don’t even have our winter coats out yet” some guy says.

Ahh yes, we love to brag about miserable it can be in the place we live. We wear it like a badge of honor, “I’ve withstood this weather for X amount of years and now I’ll watch you as you suffer.”

Why do we do this? Are we really mean spirited folks deep down, or do we just want to feel better or tougher than these southern folks? I’m not sure really. Maybe we dislike the cold that much and it feels better to watch other people dislike it.

This one common factor can bring almost any midwesterners (midwesternites?) together. We're like a frosty the snowman fraternity, and the only way to get in is to bear a couple of winters here.

In any case, winter is coming and once again I do not look forward to the snow or cold, the only reason I see a purpose for either is to make the spring seem that much better.