Baby, it's cold outside!

The Trout and I just came in from our second walk of the day. It is cold right now, 41 degrees. It will be much colder tonight. My beautiful poinsettias are hurting even though they have been covered for 2 days.

The farmers down here are hurting. We live in the Florida strawberry capital area and there will be a lot of loss. The oranges, lemons, grapefruits will be damaged.

The last time it snowed, and probably the first time, in Miami, was January, 1977. I don't think that will be repeated, but people who have lived in the south all their lives are also hurting. Growing up in Iowa and living most of my live in Michigan and northern Wisconsin, we know what cold is. It can get much, much worse than this.

And so, my thoughts this evening go towards all the warnings we have had about 'global warming'. Is is wrong for me to doubt that theory? Our entire country right now is very, very cold. A little warming would be greatly appreciated.

And finally, a little bit of advice to my northern friends. Florida is a wonderful state to visit, but plan your trips very carefully. January and February is not the best time to leave the deep freeze in search of Florida warmth. We will have sunshine, but we also have winter. It is just not as bad as elsewhere. I hate to see families save for trips to Florida, to Disney and other attractions only to be frozen out and disappointed. It will get better and warmer down here, but not right now.