Midwest Specifics

North Dakota has entirely bypassed spring in favor of chug-a-luggin' right into summer.

Just last week the city pool was filled. And every child in sight was on his or her way to the park. 

Fargo is now the welcome host of pollen swarms and picnic dinners (served with icy beer). 

Hallelujah.

Midwest Specifics

Found in Fargo Magazine

Only in the Midwest.

Confession:

I didn't even know what a rhubarb was until college; I still don't quite get it, but I do know that they are delicious.

Midwest Specifics

Highway Patriotism

Midwest Specifics

North Dakota's parade of clouds tagged-along with Spring. 

Midwest Specifics

More Midwest Breakfast!

One of my favorite customers bestowed upon me a pair of Kiwanis Pancake Feed tickets. The 56th annual Pancake Feed was held at the august Fargodome. There were Disneyland-like lines, enough security for Air Force 1 and rotating pancake griddles. Preston and I noshed buttermilk and buckwheat pancakes while listening to the  Phantom of the Opera medley played by a pianist perched in the center of the dome. The Kiwanis men and women fed over 8,000 Fargonians, and two misplaced Californians on an icy Saturday morning.

stowed away peanut butter is the only way to pancake breakfasts

Midwest Specifics

In honor of the return of the cold and this evening's snow dusting I have presented a clip of blowing snow. Blowing snow is one of my favorite winter things; except when it really blows, and I find myself stranded in Minneapolis, which was actually quite fun, so I suppose I do in fact always love windy snow days. 

Midwest Specifics

It's Melting!

 Rejoice to Thor & Odin, it is 34 degrees today!!! That is forty degrees warmer than last week! Spring is this you? I sure hope so.

Fun Fact: This winter season has had the most days below zero since temperatures were first recorded in 1888. We have logged fifty days below. This state of affairs deems Preston and I midwest warriors. Huzzzah!

Midwest Specific

This photo commemorates the time I got my truck inexplicably stuck in a snowbank. My tires spun as the entire cardio room of the YMCA gawked. Meanwhile I contemplated laying across the front bench until the snow thawed.

This photo commemorates the tow truck superhero who rescued Dragon, and told me that I was officially a midwesterner.

Midwest Points

Getting Stuck in the Snow = 7 MIDWEST POINTS

Waiting to be rescued in the YMCA sauna= 2 MIDWEST POINTS

Crying in my car = -4 MIDWEST POINTS

Midwest Specifics

iPhones Say The Darndest Things

 Not snowing snow, or windy snow, but blowing snow. Because that's a thing. Dontcha' know.

The coldest temperature my barely-suntanned body has ever known. 

By the way, Winter officially began on December 21st. 

Zeus, help me. 

Midwest Specific

The latest in my Midwest Fashion

Hello from the Big Bad Burnt Marshmallow

& my New Year's Eve ensemble.

Midwest Specific

This is a raw, unedited iPhone photo of a winter-time sunset

North Dakota has the biggest sky around. 

Midwest Specific

Hobbit-hole turned Igloo

So, my house is freezing. My life is straight up "Frozen" (BEST MOVIE OF 2013!!!!). 

'

Living in an apartment that is slowly freezing = 2 MIDWEST POINTS

Midwest Specifics

A pair of rough-n-tumble snow boots have made their way into my ever-expanding slushy, snowy world. 

Owning a pair of snow boots, other than UGGS = 7 MIDWEST POINTS

Midwest Specifics

...que?

Midwestern Spanish at its finest.

PS Whale of a Wash is my 2nd favorite sign in Fargo

Midwest Specifics

Fargo's first blanket of snow. 

Jaeda, Nancy & I 

Midwest Specifics

Midwestern Target Spoils. 

My best friend and I once dreamed up a plan to coach the Minnesota Vikings. Our Alma Matre's colors are also purple and gold, so we had enough festive wear to last a season. The team roster and Brett Favre's headshot were proudly taped to the our swamp-door. And between our dressers hung a photo of the two of us, with "Head Coaches" sprawled across the frame. 

Aspiring to become a Vikings Coach= 7 MIDWEST POINTS

Midwest Specifics

A disputed* snow cloud loomed just beyond downtown. 

* The mailman claimed it was, every other man said it wasn't.

I sided with the mailman, trusting that they know things about rain, sleet & snow, dontcha know. 

Midwest Specifics

Where other's try to hawk and sell, North Dakota reminds us of what we have. 

Alongside HWY 81

Midwest Specifics

 Preston's ideal beer, a punny IPA, is crafted at our very own Fargo Beer Company.

Midwest Specifics

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful in the neighborhood.*

*I am actually friends with the downtown pedestrian mailman, now all I need is an a trolley.