It's January and La Niña has taken shape and is funneling arctic air into the midwest. Minus 6 this morning, with a pesky wind that gnaws on exposed skin. Shortly after daybreak a clipper system brought unexpected snow, heavy at times. We stepped into cross country skis and slid our way into the north field, and in short order our hearts were pumping and we were gliding through a wonderland, warm and content as if in our right minds.
Comfort in a frigid environment is a satisfying accomplishment. The indigenous scout on the winter prairie knew it well; draped in buffalo robes, astride his horse, a full ration of pemmican glowing in his belly. It’s ancient knowledge that there is no such thing as inclimate weather, only inadequate clothing.
On these days the wood stove seduces all within reach of its intoxicating warmth with a hundred reasons to stay inside. “You really need to finish that book today,” it says, or “Where’s that thousand piece jigsaw puzzle of the Milky Way?” The greatest source of penetrating, radiant heat is also an addictive drug that threatens to lull away the hours of a perfect winter day. Even the dog is not immune.
Radiant heat is also felt at the kitchen range where winter entrees provide the fortitude that warm blooded mammals require. Hearty soups and stews, cheesy casseroles, slow cooked delicacies high in fat, fresh baked breads, are all on the menu. Some things are best when the mercury struggles to reach zero.
But winter comes with a dual nature and can test our patience. It’s the season of icy walkways and frozen pipes, cold fingers and runny noses; when aging car batteries get contrary and heat bills run high; when working in an unheated shop invites a grumpy attitude. Winter cold is not all pleasant but neither is it permanent. Spring in all its glory is best appreciated when properly earned.
The other day I went out to cut firewood. It was a gray day, dead calm, and the air was filled with a light snow that wasn’t so much falling as it was floating, suspended mid-air like dandelion fluff. It was beautiful and peaceful but there was enough snow to slick roadways and inconvenience a million people going about their daily routines.
And some cursed the winter and blamed it on the democrats because democrats can do nothing right. And the republican supreme leader tweeted that winter was an illusion based on sham science and he could fix it like it’s never been fixed before and signed an executive order for everyone to turn up their thermostats while he dismantled the National Weather Service and admonished wind turbines and encouraged Exxon to drill, baby, drill. And republican minions followed suit so as to stay in His Majesty’s favor and eventually the lie became a truth and homes everywhere felt like saunas and people were wearing shorts and flip flops and tank tops. And then the heat bills came.
And that is how politics leads a winter story astray.
