To survive winter in the northern climes takes a certain kind of person.

A person who has gumption or the savvy to survive the extremes of cold, sleet, and never-ending snow.

Why am I writing about this on a day where the temperature hit the 60s in March for the first time in my memory? Blame it on the heat stroke of not knowing how to dress when the calendar calls for layers—preferably in plaid.

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Plaid is the survivalist go-to weather fabric of choice. (This fact totally made up in my head.) But I think there is truth in this fiction.

We Midwesterners have adopted the Absolute Zero Protocol which states that winter can only be survived by the immediate application of weaponized plaid!

[Or possibly by drinking Absolut or Strong Zero.]

During particularly bleak winters, people can become creative about their plaid-related activities.

At an undisclosed location in the U.P. (Upper Peninsula to you non-Michigan folks) there is an unusual holiday: PLAIDURDAY. It is celebrated the first Friday in October and is an excuse to go out in all your plaid attire and do good works or just celebrate the joy of the multi-colored woven wonder that is plaid! Check out the events page on Facebook: Plaidurday.

There is also a similar celebration a little closer to home in Cedar Springs, MI. The Red Flannel Festival celebrated its 85th year in 2024 and shows no signs of stopping. Much like the snow we enjoy every year. We can overlook that the gathering isn’t technically one of plaid aficionados, because enough red plaid is worn to make it a plaid-happy event nonetheless.

You might argue that both of these events precede the actual arrival of snow to the state. This is true. But, I would argue, we need to build up our reserves of amusement so that we can survive the coming snow. Which brings me to a lovely find.

I was trying to find a nice picture of a man in a kilt shoveling snow—preferably with a gaggle of woman holding up signs giving Olympic scores for form in a stiff wind—when I saw this.

[2025 Update: the original link stopped working and some new upgrade is messing with the embed function. Enjoy this saucy photo instead.]

Apparently there are several variations of these kilted cheesecake calendars. But it was the comments I found under one version that really had me giggling:

Apparently, even with calendars, size matters.

With a little precaution, you too can survive several months of inhospitable, sleet-filled, icy coated weather that closes school faster than you can say “Snow Day!”

However you handle the madness that is yet one more snowfall or even an unseasonably warm spell in March, please celebrate responsibly.

And just remember, when in doubt, pile on another layer of plaid and hope that spring is around the corner.