So it snowed in Minnesota...

Big deal, right? I mean that's bound to happen when you live on the part of the globe that is tilting away from the sun at this time of year and various weather systems collide and such. It's inevitable and (paraphrasing Bobby Knight) I should sit back and enjoy it.

After 43 years of being tipped back away from the flaming sphere in the sky (Florida may be called the "Sunshine State" but come winter we're the "Sun Shun State") for anywhere from 3 to 9 months one would think a person would get used to it.

However, each first snowfall I experience is like a punch in the gut which kicks off a long, drawn out battle with old man winter all the while helplessly watching as my golf clubs become dust receptacles.

We didn't exactly have the blizzard of the century today, but waking up to the ground covered in white and temps that nip your nose and bite your toes (or is that the other way around...) was a bit distressing considering I know people who are probably wearing shorts today where they're living.

If I snowmobiled, skiied, ice fished, snowshoed, ice skated or at least was able to tolerate any of the other activities Minnesotans do to prove their hardiness I might have a differing perspective, but I like my ice cubed or crushed, in a glass, surrounded by some fruity liquor concoction with perhaps some salt lightly coating around the rim. Hell, throw a spear with some fruit in it, I don't care. As long as I'm not in danger of my butt cheeks making a sudden impact on top of it with one simple misstep, I'm fine.

For me ice is meant to chill beverages that can be enjoyed in much warmer weather under the beading hot sun.

But, like I do every winter, I'll piss and moan for a week or so all the while letting Old Man Winter make me his bee-otch. In due time I'll eventually adjust and get on to doing what I do that gets me through these next few months eagerly anticipating that first blade of green grass or bud on a branch forcing its way outward or uttering that first curse word as I shank another errant tee shot off the #1 tee box or miss a 10 footer for double bogey.

Who knows, maybe Brett Favre may even do something even more extraordinary then he already has and make this winter actually somewhat enjoyable. It'd be nice to actually have a Super Bowl party where I'm more excited about the game then I am the commercials or halftime show.