The Slice: Just call us Minnesota-light

I have a theory about why Spokane is the way it is.

Two words: Transplanted Minnesotans.

I routinely encounter people who moved here from the Land of 10,000 Lakes. They tend to be bright, upbeat and good-looking. I like them.

But for years, I have wondered. Why leave a great state like Minnesota, with its cultural attractions, economic opportunities, enlightened social traditions and lack of pretension?

These transplants offer a variety of answers. Still, I have come to believe that most asked themselves one key question: “Where can I go that’s sort of like Minnesota but without the punishing winters and pterodactyl-like mosquitoes?”

“Spokane” is a logical answer. The Lilac City has a northern, four seasons climate that would be familiar to Minnesotans. But winters here aren’t usually bitter cold, at least not for weeks on end.

And because it is so dry here, a person can be outside on a summer’s evening without losing a significant volume of blood to bugs.

Plus, we have our own lakes and marmots are sort of like gophers.

Anyway, these Minnesotans bring admirable attributes — honesty, hard work, et cetera. We all benefit.

But I believe they are partly to blame for Spokane lacking hardiness when it comes to cold weather. Their had-enough attitude infected us.

Oh, they might wax nostalgic about the harsh winters back in Uff da country. The truth is, though, these self-selected refugees shiver as easily as ex-Californians.

I used to blame past-repudiating Montanans and Dakotans for us being winter wimps. But people from those states didn’t move away from places that possess all the Twin Cities have to offer. Maybe they just got jobs here.

On the other hand, I’m guessing many of our transplants from Minnesota made a conscious decision in which the thermometer trumped rival considerations.

Unless, of course, it had more to do with taxes.

Today’s Slice question: What’s your first thought when you hear the doorbell?