Funny that you should ask that. I’m originally from Detroit. I’ve been to a couple REALLY hot duty stations where the weather just about melted me, and wondered how others stood it. Lots of the people there seemed to just shrug off heat and humidity that laid me low. I guess it’s either what you’re used to or a mental sate. Even now I find myself raising my eyebrows when I hear people griping about how cold it is. I moved to Kentucky a few years ago and I snicker to myself like, “Wow, if you think THIS is cold…”
Then I recall my worst moments in the cold at my childhood home of Alpena, Michigan. I can stand the cold as long as I’m dressed for it. This means layers. Good warm boots, and adequate facial protection.
What made me miserable was being cold AND in pain. Or wet. Neither is a good combination for me. I never could stand snowball fights. A fastball to the face HURTS and being cold on top of it is more than I could stand. The same with snow leaking inside ones clothing. Or falling through ice into a puddle up to one’s waist on the way to school, which I did one time when I was six.
It’s fairly cold outside right now. I have the heat on 70, and a pot of coffee on. I have to go read a text book for a class, and I plan to get under a wubbie while I do it. Color me such a puss.
And yet, I miss the north, and dream of getting back as far north as Chicago. If I do, I’ll deal with it, staying out of snowball fights and puddles. And avoid Michigan Ave in February, where I got the worst earache of my life in 1989!