Snowy Lake Calhoun, Minneapolis, Minnesota. December 2, 2012. Photo: Christopher Pollard

“There is a feeling of solidarity that swirls in the blowing snow. When I shoveled the walk this morning, I noticed my neighbor had already done part of it. I looked down the street and saw other people shoveling. As they looked up from their work, we smiled and nodded at each other. It felt like we were engaged in common work.”
— Vikki Reich

Source: I Love Who Minnesotans Become When it Snows | StarTribune.com

My Snow Shovel and 12″ of Snow. Uptown, Minneapolis, Minnesota. February 3, 2015. Photo: Christopher Pollard

Minnesotan Snow Shoveler’s Creed

“This is my snow shovel.
There are many like it, but this one is mine.
My snow shovel is my best friend.
It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.
My snow shovel, without me, is useless.
Without my snow shovel, I am useless.
I must use my snow shovel true.”

Nice (see how I did that) showcase showdown between the ‘Up North’ vs. “The Cities’ accents. My cousin Eric Pollard (AKA Actual Wolf) was right, Comedian Maria Bramford went “Full Keyboard Lounge Proctor Drunk Accent” in this throw down with Late Show writer Ariel Dumas.

Source: The Late Show Accent-Off: Minnesota Edition

“Minnesota, hats off to thee!
To thy colors true we shall ever be,
Firm and strong, united are we.
Rah, rah, rah, for It’s -11 F
Holy buckets, that’s some cold.
Who in their right mind lives here?
Minnesotans, Minnesotans.
Well, OK then.
Yay, Gophers! BURR!”*

Minneapolis, Minnesota. January 17, 2016. 9:10 AM

*Apologies to the Minnesota Rouser.

“Not I, nor anyone else can travel that road for you.
You must travel it by yourself.
It is not far. It is within reach.
Perhaps you have been on it since you were born, and did not know.
Perhaps it is everywhere – on water and land.”
— Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

Walking Path at Lake Calhoun. Minneapolis, Minnesota. December 10, 2015