Like True Men of the North

Though it may sound like madness, there is something thrilling about an outside temperature remaining below zero for days on end. Factoring in the windchill, it is some -30 degrees outside.

For weeks now, the compacted snow and ice has left ruts down all the residential urban streets. There has been no thaw and so it cakes, compresses and turns to sheety ice in places. The street snow takes on a tan and gray, brown-sugar consistency.

But the snow everywhere else remains crisp and fresh. A brighter white than whitest bed sheet. The clear blue sky allows the purest rays of sunshine through, making shadows sharp and eyes squint. It is as you'd imagine when first opening the gates of heaven. The density of air makes sound travel well, and the metallic moan of jet engines above force down like some extraterrestrial spaceship.

You develop an enormous respect for the madness of what the weather can do and develop an arctic smugness within. Walking across the crack of snow crystals that cannot melt even under the compression of your foot, you realize that this is no different than the coldest realms on the planet.

It's an awesome daily adventure! Your mind conjures up thoughts of explorers, Inuits and even other planets. Only the brave live in such places! Only those that can live a routine in madness!

Don't get me wrong, the cold whips and seeps in through an old house. Especially one set at 58 degrees. And the dang garage door just will not descend unless coaxed down with half my weight upon it, back and forth with the up and down balance of my clicker in one hand and the door in my other. An every day, at least twice a day, routine. (Yeah, even the garage door repair guys haven't been able to figure it out.) It's also easy to think about those without homes, the mentally disabled, elderly and unprepared children, left to the monster of dark cold.

But we are lucky to know that it will pass, that even a 20 degree day shows more signs of warmth. We also know the thaw and the drip of the icicle, so, hope prevails.

So, here's to us Norsmen, taking in the air so dry and cold into our lungs! We live here and we push on but maintain a respect for what the weather can do. You have to admit, it is pretty awesome, for good or bad!