18 things Midwesterners understand about Winter

[Bethers]

Barbie, I know you'll understand all of these - I sure did!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/katieheaney/18- ... out-winter

[BarbaraRose]

Yep!

#5 The truck being pulled out of the lake. See that a lot around here, too often actually. (They are already driving on the lake now! )

Three inches of snow here is considered a "dusting". Schools literally don't close until windchill temps hit -35 below! Snow Days only happen when there is two feet or more of snow.

And our DQ (outside seating only) opens back up in January! The drive-in diner across the street from me opens the first week in March (last year opening day we had a snowstorm and there were a few cars that pulled in anyways for lunch!). One of the renters here has a path shoveled out to his little charcoal grill and was cooking steaks on it the other night when it was near zero outside!

And I hibernate until May...brrr!

[JudyJB]

In Detroit they started charging big fees (I think it was $5,000) for rescuing people from ice flows in Lake St. Clair and other places where people were dumb enough to drive vehicles or walk out miles on places where big lake freighters were still going past. Most of the time they used helicopters, so any vehicles were just abandoned and were never retrieved.

I remember having difficulty buying windshield wiper fluid in Florida. Apparently they just use water in a lot of places. I figured the alcohol would get the bugs off better.

[VickieP]

Why wouldn't you use an umbrella to keep the falling snow off your head?

[MelissaD]

Wish I did not know

Umbrellas are for rain. Rain get you soaked, snow will not. Normally the umbrella will just get blown away. #1 reason, can't see the car sliding at you through the umbrella.

Just like Ketchup is for hamburgers, mustard for hotdogs and umbrellas are for the rain Yep that's my story and I'm sticking too it

[BarbaraRose]

Why wouldn't you use an umbrella to keep the falling snow off your head?

Because snow is pretty when it lands on your head? Because we wear hats and hoods instead? I have never seen anyone here use an umbrella in the winter when it is snowing.

[Bethers]

If it's snowing enough, snow will pile up on the umbrella - and they aren't meant for that weight either.

But we who grew up in the north with snow - do not use umbrellas in the snow ... a ski mask, ok ... an umbrella, nope.

[IrishIroamed]

But we who grew up in the north with snow - do not use umbrellas in the snow ... a ski mask, ok ... an umbrella, nope.

Beth, you've been gone from Illinois too long, I see peeps with umbrellas all the time in Oak Brook and some on the news in Chi-town. Guess the younger yuppies aren't as hearty as we are.

[Lopo]

In Florida,we don't even bother with umbrellas for rain! I think anyone who uses an umbrella when it's snowing should be arrested!!

[dayspring39]

Hmmm my thought was the angle of the umbrella. the way it was pointed you could not see traffic… those were great Beth… Ah snow snow snow… glad it is up there not down here…
Kathy Kathleen

[BarbaraRose]

Altho, when I have my hood up and pulled tight around my face, I can't see anything around me either!

[monik7]

Now I know why I live in California. Was 74 at my house yesterday. Beautiful!!! You are hearty folks as were both my parents who attended Univ. of Minnesota, but I'll take California and my flip flops any day.
Sandi

[SoCalGalcas]

Thanks Beth for posting that thread...my favorite was # 11 as it reminded me of the time I went xc skiing up in Big Bear. When I stopped to buy gas I decided to wash my front window. It immediately froze with about 1/2 inch of ice!!! What happened?!?!?!
Then there was # 8...xc skiing up in Yellowstone Nat'l Park and those loud things roaring down the road. I heard they were going to limit the numbers of them up there, but don't know if it ever happened. lyn

[JudyJB]

My son moved to California way back in 97 and married a California girl. Occasionally they do have ice where they live. He was horrified to find her tossing a bucket of hot water on the windshield to melt the ice!

In the northern states, if you do that, you will break the windshield.

Do NOT use a bucket of hot water on the sidewalk to melt the ice, either. It will just make the skating rink even smoother.

[dpf]

They didn't mention your nostrils freezing together in subzero temps...or that your earrings can make your lobes freeze!