Pay yourselves on the back, Minnesotans

Faced with a temp of -20 (or colder) this morning, Minnesotans got up and hauled ass to work as usual. Sure, a lot of us are prepared and used to it, but special kudos go to the amazing number of immigrants from much warmer climates who have adopted the upper midwest as their home. Here in Richfield, I’m surrounded by immigrants from Mexico and various parts of Africa. Being an immigrant is tough under the best of conditions, but these folks must be astonished at their first Minnesota winter, even frightened. You wouldn’t know it by looking around.

Our apartment parking lot was supposed to be plowed at 11 this morning, meaning that all residents had to move cars out by then. I was relieved that my car started, but, surprisingly, ALL cars (save one that has been dead for some time) were moved.

While we native midwesterners are naturally proud to be able to cope with winter, those recent immigrants are supremely deserving of such pride. Congratulations to you… if you choose to, be proud to become hardy Minnesotans with full bragging rights.