For a couple of weeks now the low in the morning has hovered aroun 0 degrees centigrade. Right now it has clambered up laboriously to 3 degrees with a substantial wind chill factor.

This is southern California. Really? It hasn't been this cold for this long since I bought this house in October 1987; that winter was like this one (and we didn't have any heat). The cold temps killed all the beautiful hibiscus then; don't know if the one bush I have now is going to survive.

Somehow it seems even colder when the temperatures are reported in Centigrade, rather than Fahrenheit. Since Sue asked about it, I thought I would try Centigrade. Now I feel colder than ever.

Isn't it amazing how much difference perceptions can make?