BEYOND REASON

On a frozen lake in Northern Minnesota, Rob Perez met with Jack Frost. They chatted while ice skating for the better part of an hour.

ROB: I’ve never done an interview on skates before.

JACK FROST: Thanks for being open to it. I think better on the move.

R: Were you always into winter?

JF: Well, no. When I was teenager, I was anti-everything. I wanted to be Jack Fall. In fact, one year I even colored my hair chestnut brown. Boy, the old man hated that.

R: Old Man Winter?

JF: That’s the one.

R: That’s your old man?

JF: Yep. That’s my dad.

R: What kind of influence did he have on you?

JF: What can I say? He’s a legend. He knew how to bring the pain.

R: I feel a “but” coming.

JF: But some might say his approach to winter was a bit… humorless.

R: Why do you think that was?

JF: Well, he was old. And a man.

R: When did you turn the corner on winter?

JF: Well, we all grow up, eventually. I realized winter wasn’t a penance. It was just the family business. Turns out I was good at it. And I liked it.

R: And how does your approach differ from the old man?

JF: Well, skating and sledding were things the Old Man endured. Whereas I really get into things like that. I try to bring a bit more whimsy to the season.

R: I’ve also heard some use the word “mischief ”.

JF: Yes, I’ve heard that word, too.

R: What kind of mischief?

JF: The winter kind.

R: Like… you throw snowballs?

JF: No, it’s more like… you know the kid who got his tongue stuck to the flagpole?

R: I know of him.

JF: Someone might have told him that was a good idea.

R: I see.

JF: And you know when you get all your holiday lights out, and you test them, make sure each and every one of them work, but when you put them up, one bulb is out?

R: That’s you?

JF: And you know when you’re looking up at a beautiful tree branch full of snow and you get the urge to pull it down on your friend’s head? R: I’m noticing a pattern here.

JF: But the classic has to be the ice patch. I watch folks flail about, trying to stay upright. Every time is like the first time.

R: A nice fall is just timeless.

JF: I’m glad you think so.

R: Whaa!

Rob trips on a ridge in the ice rink, flails about trying to stay upright, finally tumbles. Rob’s hat, gloves, and recording device go flying. Rob hits the deck, sprawled on the ice. After a moment, he picks himself up, collects his belongings, and resumes the interview.

R: That was sneaky.

JF: Some parts of the job are forever. Other aspects have changed.

R: How so?

JF: Well, one thing I really like is making patterns on windows. I could really go to town and express myself on those things. Sometimes I’d spend all night on one windowpane. I loved it. But now windows usually have double-glazing.

R: Double-glazing?

JF: I know. It sounds like a donut I’d like to order. But it’s just a new type of window that keeps me from making my signature, one-of-a-kind, intricate, classic, fern-like patterns.

R: That’s too bad.

JF: It’s not like the old days. But time marches on, you know. Global warming is here.

R: Right. How does that change things for you?

JF: The hours are very different.

R: How so?

JF: Well, Old Man Winter used to put in the hours. He’d clock in late November and wouldn’t finish up until late March at the earliest. For me, every year the gig starts a little later, ends a little earlier. I get more days off midseason. Last year, right in the middle of January, usually my busy season, I had nothing going on. I mean, nothing! So, I went to Mexico and drank margaritas.

R: On the rocks?

JF: I like ‘em frozen.

R: I probably could have guessed that. But wait. You took a week off in the middle of January?

JF: First time ever. If it keeps going in this direction, who knows, in a few years I may be out of a job.

R: I hope that’s not true. I think you bring some real context to our life. You teach us something about appreciation. You make us earn it.

JF: Thank you. I try.

R: So, this might be a little personal… I understand you’re a nipper?

JF: Indeed, I am a nipper.

R: When did you first nip?

JF: Oh, I was nipping right out of the womb.

R: And what do you nip at mostly?

JF: Well, fingers, toes, the occasional ear. But my favorite place to nip is probably the nose.

R: The thing about nipping I wanted to ask is… why? Why nip?

JF: Hmm. Why nip? That’s an interesting question. No one’s ever asked me that.

Jack Frost does a thoughtful loop around the lake and then circles back to Rob.

JF: You know when you’re little and you tug on a girl’s hair? You say it’s because you don’t like her. But really, when you’re a bit older, you realize you’re doing it because you like her. Or, if I’m really being honest, it’s because I love her. So, I guess, when I nip, it’s just my waying of showing love.

R: That’s a nice thought. And maybe a perfect place to call it. Happy New Year, Jack.

JF. Happy New Year, Rob!