Stiff column shifter when cold

[AirSpeed]

My 72 GMC column shifter is really stiff in the morning (wow that sounds funny) It is hard to pull the lever back in order to move the lever into gear or back into park. This happens when its cold outside, specially early in the morning. Once I get the lever back it rotates into gear fine, it's just pulling the lever back to unlock it that's difficult. I have looked at all the linkage and cant see anything binding up. I am guessing the grease is stiffer when it's cold but I cant imagine it getting as stiff as it's getting. Any ideas? Thanks! Aaron