The brave, the impressive, and the idiotic

When the going gets tough, the tough brave it, or are very impressive or…are just plain stupid. And there’s nothing like arctic temperatures, icy roads and never ending snow to bring out the best and the worst.

Let’s start with the best. I’ve been mighty impressed with Minnesotans during this winter. Let’s talk first about the animals. It’s  15 below and windchills are 40 below and whose still outside as though it was 70? The rabbits and the squirrels. I see little rabbit tracks in the morning and bunnies hopping across the snow. Squirrels chattering at Audrey as we go for our speed pee. Tough little animals.

And there are the human kind. As I said before, Minnesotans know winter, and know how to dress and choose funny looking but warm gear, especially hats. And yet. Most impressive and brave, are the women who stick with their need/ability to be fashionable. The two inches of ice on the sidewalks is no match for the 3 inch spiky heels on their boots. I’m barely staying up in my 15 year old Vasque boots, and these gals are maneuvering in high heels. Impressive. I’m also taken by how they can walk through a snow storm and enter a building with makeup and hair in tact, in great looking fashion forward wool coats and matching accessories. (I know that’s Jennifer Lopez in the picture. No, she’s not in the Twin Cities. But she makes my point).

Finally, there are the hardy souls who are still biking to work. Or who keep up their daily run. Seriously. I’m freezing just sitting in the car while it warms up, and these people are braving the elements on their bikes or in running gear. They are environmentally sound, fit and brave. Impressive.

On the opposite end of the spectrum are the idiots. And I’m not talking about ice fishermen. I’m talking about the people who, despite hearing reports of 300 accidents in 2 hours ( as was true of yesterday’s commute), drive their cars above the speed limit on super slick icy roads. Who speed through red lights on super slick icy roads. Who tailgate cautious (or overly cautious) drivers on super slick icy roads. Stupid. Stupid idiots.

~ by modelmom on January 15, 2009.