During the night it snowed a two-inch quilt over all the maple trees and train tracks and traffic lights. When it snows it feels warmer. I’ve said this over the years when people would gawk at my bare feet in flip-flops; it feels warmer with snow on the ground. It’s worse the several weeks before it snows hard (almost like feet need to become acclimated). But I think there really is something that changes, at least at the ground level, when it snows. I’ve told those who think I’m crazy for wearing sandals in the winter that my feet melt the snow into water, and water is a great conductor for heat.

The steeping warmth that thaws numb fingers and toes after coming in from several hours in the cold, like after skiing or snow shoveling, is better than wet roses and whiskered kittens. Going from a ball of layers to socks and long johns, (a little wet around the ankles and red around the cheeks), thighs a little itchy, and plastered hair… I’m not saying I wouldn’t enjoy living on a tropical island, but with what we got here in Minnesota and her four seasons, I’m content.