It's another cold night in Minnesota. Right now it's 0 degrees--and that's the high for today! The temperatures are falling and later tonight it will reach -3 (with a wind chill of -24). A fluffy snow has been falling all day and it's beautiful.
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| Remember, it could always be worse... Photo courtesy of Weatherman Paul Douglas Blog |
1. This is Minnesota, the Land of 10,000 Lakes and 10,000 Extreme Weather Patterns. I should never have a reason to complain. Instead, I should fully expect it to be either really cold, really hot, really dry, or really humid. If it's something other than those four extremes, then I count myself blessed and I take advantage of the beautiful weather. Thankfully, in Minnesota, we have many wonderful weather days (or, we don't, and we just appreciate the few good days because of all the bad!). :)
2. I can't change the weather by complaining! I think this one is self-explanatory.
3. Whenever I hear people complaining, I think of the Israelites in the dessert for 40 years. Those people complained. A lot. And where did it get them? No where--literally. What must God think when He's blessed me with a warm house, a full belly, and a healthy family? If all I can do with my time is complain, then I've missed something. Instead of focusing on the weather, I try to focus on my blessings. I also try to see each weather pattern as a blessing. God knows what He's doing.
I giggle when I pass people in Wal Mart and hear a conversation that goes something like this:
"Hey, Phil."
"Hey, Marge."
"Boy, it's cold outside!"
"You ain't kidding."
"Nice seeing you."
"Stay warm."
I heard this conversation just the other day. I love that we tell people something they already know.
Anyway, I digress. I was going to share the answers to my Minnesota Trivia Questions from the other day. I hope you learn something new!
Minnesota is a large state, but how large is it compared to the other states?
a. Fifth largest state
b. Tenth largest state
c. Twelfth largest state
d. Twentieth largest state
The name "Minnesota" is a Dakota name, but what does it mean?
a. "Land of Sky Blue Waters"
b. "Big Water Country"
c. "Many Waters"
d. "Clear Water"
The Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro Area is called the Twin Cities and is densely populated. What percentage of the population of Minnesotans lives in the Twin Cities?
a. 30%
b. 40%
c. 50%
d. 60%
Minnesota is known for its extreme weather (the wind chill was -60 here last week and today it was 38 degrees!). What is the record high and low span of temperature across the state?
a. 106 °F
b. 133 °F
c. 156 °F
d. 174 °F
Minnesota ranks high in the nation for many things. Which one of these things does Minnesota NOT rank high?
a. We have some of the best roads nationwide
b. We have the highest percentage of citizens who participate in regular physical exercise
c. We're one of the highest voter turn out states
d. We have the second highest percentage of high school graduates nationwide
We're also ranked the lowest in all but one of these areas:
a. Lowest percentage of overweight and obese children in the nation
b. We're one of the lowest taxed states in the nation
c. One of the ten states with the lowest percentage of unemployment nationwide
d. Our teen pregnancy rate is the 8th lowest in the nation
Your Turn: What do people complain about the most where you live? I have a feeling it's probably weather! :)
*I try not to complain, but inevitably I slip up. When I do, I remind myself it could be much worse...and I think about Spring and Summer. That usually helps me put things back into perspective.
Since Iowa isn't all that far from Minnesota, we have a pretty similar weather pattern...although we rarely get quite as cold as you do up so far in Minnesota. :) Here's the thing about weather--sure, it gets cold. And the humidity grosses me (and my hair) out in the summer. But I still wouldn't trade it. I love changing seasons. By September, I'm always ready for summer to end and chilly fall mornings to begin. I'm always excited for the first snow! And yeah, when spring starts peeking in come late March/early April I am bouncing off the walls with happiness. So...yeah. I'm willing to put up with the extremes for the sake of getting four distinct seasons.:)
ReplyDeletePeople here complain about the weather, but in summer instead of winter. :) Thankfully we have a pool!
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine living somewhere so cold. But then again, you probably couldn't imagine living somewhere so hot. It's funny to think about how much our perspective probably changes based on where we were raised. I was raised here, so I'm used to it -- but the idea of living somewhere with the opposite weather patterns would overwhelm me (in this case, the grass is not always greener...although technically in MN it is! LOL).
Anyway, it's nice to know I have a beautiful place to visit in the summer and you have a warm place to visit in winter. ;)
Winter in Minnesota is great for writers - an excuse to stay in, hunker down and WRITE! Working on my third suspense novel, set in the Twin Cities, and yes, the characters will probably be talking about the weather! Good to meet a fellow (hardy) Minnesota writer.
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