And I haven’t.

When you’ve got to work outside, 20 degrees below zero can be painful; 95 degrees above can be merely uncomfortable.

Things that usually don’t work very well when it’s frigid — cameras and cars come to mind — function just fine when it’s hot.

I am, of course, willing to play outdoors at both ends of the thermometer. But venturing into the cold to hunt or fish is done on my own terms, not because I have to.

But all things being equal, I still would rather be wiping the sweat from my brow than warding frostbite from my nose.

A funny thing, though. My wife and I, both Minnesota natives, moved back here from Kansas, a place of wonderfully hot, humid summers and moderate winters 34 years ago, mainly because we missed Minnesota’s ice and snow.

If only I knew then what I know now.

John Cross is a Free Press staff writer. Contact him at 344-6376 or by e-mail at jcross@mankatofreepress.com.