A poignant beauty

Poignancy seeps into Wisconsin’s beauty when its weather confounds.

Water leaks through lacy ice, sap runs early and that gorgeous carpet of snow, laid out thick with anticipation just weeks ago, shrinks back with a level of insecurity we don’t normally see here in the unabashed Midwest.

All of our snowmobile trails are closed and the ice rink I raved about just two weeks ago has been reduced to a shallow puddle of mud.

A thick blanket of fog rolls up in the mornings and it seems like the whole state wants to snuggle up under it and roll over for a few more hours of sleep.

I hope we don’t do that, Wisconsin.

I hope we rally under these strange weather conditions and find healthy ways to have fun and to support our struggling hospitality industry.

I know some small taverns and unassuming restaurants would really appreciate the support they usually get from snowmobilers and other winter sport enthusiasts.

Maybe your February challenge could be to pop into one of those places and spend a little time there. I’ll bet you’ll meet some great people and find some new favorite places.

I hope we find other cool ways to enjoy Wisconsin this winterish, too. A torchlight ski/snowshoe event we signed up for might end up being a torchlit hike but it will still be a good time.

I’d love to hear some creative ways you’re getting out there and making the most of this warm spell.

And, if you’re really struggling this season, know that you’re even stronger than you think you are and you have a lot of support.

You are beautiful, Wisconsin.

Let’s go!