Winter in Wisconsin is not for wimps.(The Last Laugh)

One of the great things about living in Wisconsin is that weather is a constant source of discussion. When we speak with people on campuses in other parts of the country, they always ask what the weather is like here today. Their reactions include sympathy and gloating.

Smug transplants from the snow belt relish describing their new area's sunshine and balmy breezes, while those in the grips of a winter storm like in the East can't wait to describe how many inches of snow they got, or what was the wind chill index.

Even sex is affected by Wisconsin's weather. An old boyfriend named Darryl used to recite this ditty: "When the weather's hot and sticky, that's no time for dunkin' dickie. When the frost is on the pumpkin, that's the time for dickie dunkin'." (Real Wisconsinites don't use air conditioning until it's so hot the candles melt.)

How cold is it?

My body is super sensitive to temperature. Since my bedroom in the new condo is in the basement, I go upstairs for breakfast. Not knowing what it's like outside, and what it's apt to do during the day, I don't know how many layers to put on to stay warm.

One might think a simple thermometer would solve the problem, but I must be sending out X-rays that kill them.

* A huge but reliable one I'd had for at least 20 years fell prey to the lakeshore breezes. It took a tumble off the deck, separating the red indicator tube from the temperature calibrations. It's not too useful now.