It was the top story Wednesday on CNN.

And on local news stations.

No one could believe how cold it was last week, when the temperatures plunged to 15 below zero for a day.

And just this past weekend, a news station in the Twin Cities alerted viewers that a winter storm warning would be in effect with snowfall reaching a whopping one to three inches.

And in all the "chaos" of last week's cold snap, one CNN commentator coyly asked, "Isn't it winter?"

It looks like the past few mild winters have made us Minnesotans weak. A couple days of below-zero temps and we're pouting about it being the coldest winter we could remember.

And I can't say I'm not part of this crowd. I don't like the freezing temps and I hate driving in snow, but I, too, remember a time when I was a little bit tougher when it came to winter weather.

Today I'll bundle up in my mittens, scarf and (gasp!) hat if I know I'll be in cold weather.

That was unheard of when I was in grade school. As soon as mom or dad was out of sight, I would take off my hat or earmuffs or whatever my parents tried to convince me wasn't dorky.

My mom would lecture me until my ears froze about how wearing a hat will keep me warm by keeping the heat from escaping from my head.

I think I was a sophomore in college before staying warm became more important than trying to look cool.

When I was younger, I would spend hours outside building snow forts for snow ball fights, sledding, ice skating and cross-country skiing.

No matter how much I bundled up, snow would sneak past my snow pants and into my boots. My scarf would never stay on my nose. My gloves didn't keep my hands from getting cold.

But I stayed out there anyway until the fresh air tired me out enough to stomp through the snow inside.

I would quickly change out of my wet snow-covered clothes into dry jeans and a sweatshirt. My feet, especially after ice skating, would be almost too cold to move.

I would put my feet up against the heat vent and cringe when they began tingling as they thawed out. I always asked my mom what frostbite looked like and if I had it. I never did.

After coming in from a cold afternoon of playing in the snow, hot chocolate or hot cider was well-deserved.

This winter, there is not enough cold days or winter storms to warrant much complaint. Until we have to get through a week or more of below-zero temps or schools shut down because the snow is piling too high, is the weather really newsworthy.

My dad used to tease me that to be a true Minnesotan, you had to walk in the snow barefoot -- then he proceeded to do so.

I never got the courage to do it, but I sure admired it.

So don't get too comfortable with these balmy winter temperatures.

Your reputation as a Minnesotan depends on it.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com