Photographed in downtown Faribault at 1:30 p.m.
ON DAYS LIKE TODAY, when the windchill plummets to double digits below zero, I have to question the sanity of living in Minnesota.
It’s bitterly cold here. Like 23 degrees below zero in Faribault at 7:30 this morning. The temp mid-afternoon has now reached a balmy minus six degrees. And, yes, 17 degrees make a difference, especially when in the below zero Fahrenheit range.
The sun shines bright against the snow. And if not for the frost edging windows, the sound of car tires crunching on snow as traffic passes my home, the steady thrum of the furnace, the fleece throw warming my lap, I might convince myself that it’s not really that bad outside.
But then I remember the biting cold, the sparse church attendance, the icy car seat, the unattended vehicles warming in parking lots, the state-wide average windchill of minus 35 degrees.
This is reality today in Minnesota. It’s cold. Really cold.
© 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
So much for that cheap propane I got earlier this fall. I probably will have an empty tank by the end of next week!! Ha ha! Our temps will warm up after Tuesday. I’ll try to huff and puff and send some warm wind from the south your way as soon as wind direction changes! 😀
Well, thank you kindly, Lori. I believe temps are supposed to start warming tomorrow.
I know I’m an odd duck but for the short bits of time that I was outside today, I found it refreshing!, Yes refreshing. Now granted, it was short bits of time and YES I did wear a coat….and socks. I wouldn’t want to be stranded outside on a day like today but for intown stuff the cold doesn’t faze me. I’m looking forward to a warm up by Christmas, don’t want the kids traveling in such brutal temperatures. Warmer days ahead 🙂
I love how you embrace everything about a Minnesota winter, Jackie.
Our extended family gathering in southwestern Minnesota was postponed this weekend because of the snow, wind and brutal temps. I, too, am hoping for good travel weather this coming weekend so all of my “kids” can get safely here and on time.
I hope everyone makes it home safe for Christmas!!
Me, too. Thank you.
I will think positive that your “kids” are able to travel safely to your home for Christmas. My husband and I made dozens of trips from Ohio to Minnesota in the winter and it was always a gamble with the weather. I must say we were blessed with safe trips over the years. Have a wonderful celebration.
Thank you, Bernadette. And a Merry Christmas to you and yours!
The double digits below zero were quite impressive in many locations. Yes as Minnesotans we learn to adapt , seek out places to meet friends or hunker down inside with a good book. While reading does sound like a noteworthy activity this time of the year my to do list always wins out.
Yes, the to-do list wins right before Christmas.
The coldest I saw it here was -20 with a -29 wind chill but I saw that Aberdeen South Dakota hit -58 brrr US Mid westerners aren’t wimps when it come to cold but man…
Minus 58, now that’s cold.
It is also cold in Bella Vista, I had to get out my winter jacket and gloves. Our drive way has snow and a thin layer of ice. So hard to get out. We will have both Craig and Grant here for Christmas. Of course if the weather is bad maybe they won’t be flying out here. Merry Christmas to all of you and sending our love. Uncle Robin and Aunt Dorothy
I am so happy you will have your boys there for Christmas. Let’s pray for great travel weather.
Merry Christmas to you and Uncle Robin also! I love you.
Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, we were driving in a winter snowstorm with eleven below temperatures on I80 between Elkhart and Chicago. White knuckle driving on snow covered roads…could only see the tire tracks of the truck in front of us which we were able to follow for several miles…we made it in time to catch our plane back to even colder temperatures!
Oh, my, I’m so glad you are safe. I know that stretch of roadway having just traveled it in May.