What has the Midwest done to me? Yesterday was full of sunshine, slush-free sidewalks, and a notedly absent wind. It was practically balmy! I stopped by a friend’s room on the way to the car–we were going to study at a coffee shop before doing some grocery shopping–and asked to borrow a lighter coat. My heavy winter coat just seemed to get in the way.

Freshman year snow day

“It’s 34 degrees,” I said with some surprise, checking the weather once we were installed in the corner of the Monon Coffee Company in Broad Ripple. My friend’s sweatshirt, serving as my jacket, hung from the back of my chair. (Great service today, Monon Coffee. I got the decaffinated Earl Grey, though I’m also partial to their green jasmine tea.)

The response came with a smile and head shake. “Look what the Midwest has done to you.”

I paused, considered. “Oh no! This feels warm just because it’s not freezing!” Since when has thirty-four been balmy?

Doomdoomdoom. Headdesk.