Minnewaska Musings

By Paul Gremmels

Visiting with a friend recently, he mentioned that he was talking to a relative that lives in the Deep South. He told the Southerner that he was splitting wood, putting storm windows on and generally getting ready for winter. The Southerner said; “You Minnesotans are always gettin’ ready for something. Last time I talked to you, you were gettin’ ready for spring planting and summer. Now you’re gettin’ ready for winter.”

I never really thought about it until my friend mentioned that interaction he had with a Southerner. Having been born and raised in Minnesota, getting ready for winter is not really something you think about, it is just something that you do. Something, that you have done your entire life, learning it from the actions of your elders and passing it along to future generations. Whether it is a major endeavor like putting up a winter’s wood supply or just digging your snow shovels out of the corner of the garage, you are instinctively getting ready for winter. A Southerner, living in an environment that has no extreme seasonal change, does not have these instincts.

We, as Northlanders, admittedly enjoy carrying the card that allows us to brag about Halloween blizzards past, fifty below wind chills and hundred degree heat. With these declarations, we can easily segue into talking about our heartiness, snow shoveling endurance and winter driving skills. I had a friend who was from Key West, Florida. When we first met, he of course asked me where I was from. After telling him, “Minnesota” his eyes widened and he asked with bewilderment two rapid fire questions. “Is it true they drive on frozen lakes up there? Does it snow all year around?” The latter I answered with a negative, but the former I expounded on in great detail with personal experiences. But, considering he grew up in a place that has never seen snow and I grew up in a place that has seen snow throughout history in every month except July, we can understand his uncertainty of my seemingly tall tales.

The fall weather of late has been beautiful, with mild temperatures and sunshine. Even though it has been terribly dry and we are hoping for some fall rains, it has not impeded our preparations for winter. Although, the nice weather may have delayed preparations a bit. In that, you tend to figure that you have more time than you actually do.

So, when someone asks you what you’ve been up to lately, tell them simply that you’ve been – “Gettin’ Ready.”