If we want Winter down here in these parts, well, we're going to get Winter

 We rarely get real winter down here; very rarely.  In fact, last year, the first sub-32-degree day did not happen until mid to late January.  We usually welcome the cooler and milder days of November, December, January down here because it's so darn hot most of the time and winter means lows around 45-50 with highs around 72.  Now that's winter.  What is coming for us starting late tonight is something we are not built for.  The low temperatures for the next 4 mornings are 22, 20, 21 and 23.  Wind chills will be even lower.  And it will remain cold over this time frame with highs expected to be 35, 35, 41, 45.  

In these parts we fret about things like pipes freezing, oranges and satsumas freezing, plants dying, do I have anything warm enough to wear.  When it comes to being hearty and winter prepared, we ain't equipped.  But hopefully all we will have from our winter visit is good memories and good stories to tell.  And a tip of my cap to all you brave hearty souls who endure winter every year for months on end.  Oh, by the way, at the end of next week, we will be back in the mid-70's.