“What’s the Real Feel Temperature in Saranac Lake?”

“The temperature in Saranac Lake right now feels like negative 31 degrees due to wind chill,” the smart speaker intones.

Ugh, but at least the sun is out.

Part of the reason I moved here 36 years ago was that I wanted more winter. While my hometown had snow, it never seemed to last long. Ponds only froze long enough to skate for a few weeks. Sledding was on again, off again. The snow often had an icy crust, which led to facial cuts and bleeding if you were unlucky enough to fall off the sled. Cross-country skiing was limited to a few days. I was young when I arrived here, and of the mindset that if it was going to be cold, you’d better be ready to play.

It’s February all these years later, and I am questioning my life choices. A few days ago, Ben Noll, a meteorologist for the Washington Post, stated, “The eastern United States is forecast to be the coldest place, relative to average, on the planet for the next 10 days.” Even my pup, who has several Eskimo breeds in her genetics, has spent more time in hibernation than outside.

And while we all concur that this has been an old-fashioned winter, old timers claim that even these days are downright balmy. If those claims approach the truth, I understand why Winter Carnival began all those years ago. As any Saranac Laker knows, when the temperature plummets, it’s time to heat up creativity. While it may not truly battle the cold, artistry can become an emotional parka.

By the lake, the tradition continues, where legions of volunteers combat the frigid temperatures as they build the annual Ice Palace. As if the frozen structure isn’t enough of a homage to the arts, the carvers creating the sculptures glacier stamp the tribute. Meanwhile, unseen in cold garages and back rooms, floats are being constructed, only to be shown off on parade day. Civic groups practice in scarves and snow pants while imagining costumes that will keep them toasty along the marching route.

Of course, all two weeks of Carnival are filled with inspired events that defy logic but embrace invention — nighttime plein air painting, the oxymoron of the Ice Palace Fun Run and, of course, The Blue Buns Wheel-a-Palooza. Can you truly be a local frost-eater until you’ve participated in one of these events?

Winter Carnival isn’t the only source of arctic inspiration. Besides baking and granny crafts completed in private, other residents have gone public with their creativity.

Each morning, I scroll until I find Vanessa Pillen’s dance reel. So far, she has progressed from early morning boogies in a Santa suit to getting down with local employees. By allowing the viewers to watch her mini performances, Vanessa warms hearts and brings vicarious joy to our little town as we secretly groove with her. We might not all be dancers, but we can pop out a polar pirouette in the living room.

Jenna Gawors, of Ruthie’s Run in Lake Placid, offers a small challenge on her Facebook page. Here, she entreats folks to leave a midwinter haiku. This is more my speed than a public dance. So, here’s my contribution:

Romantic winter scenes

Don’t ever reveal how the snot

Freezes on nose hair.

As you can see from my feeble poetic attempt, talent can be optional, but actively trying does provide a brief mental respite from the cold.

If necessity is the mother of invention, then in the Adirondacks, frigid temperatures are the muse of creativity. While some of us have chosen to grouse about the weather, others have chosen to embrace the chill and create. And I’ll bet you can guess which group is happier.