It Ain't the Sunshine State

great_lakes_mom
Wed, 05 Mar 2008 22:57:25 +0000

Chicago is a warmer zone if you live in Wisconsin. In college you have to go outside for everything, but depending on the school, perhaps not far. My D, on a small campus, is living the cosseted life with most classes 5 minutes away. She had the proverbial walk, over a mile, in subzero weather and snow to middle and high school.

A friend who biked to work year round used to say 'there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing" Getting outfitted properly for the weather can and should be a planned expense if moving north. Boots, layers, long underwear. Though my kids are ‘cool’ and wouldn’t stoop to dressing appropriately to the weather. I wonder why they long to live someplace without snow?

Many years ago I moved from Phoenix to Wisconsin. The beauty of the severe cold and snow, as well as the changing vegetation through the growing season still thrillls me. Though I think there is something about early patterning that makes one function better in certain climates. I feel reptilian in the winter, just can’t move as fast as I’d like. But on hot summer days when Wisconsites are wilting, I keep moving and productive.