November 11th, 2025

Hello to everyone from the freakin' cold state of Florida!   And that is something rarely said. Yes, yes, yes, we are the "Sunshine State" and so forth.  Well, that part hasn't changed at all.  The sun is indeed shining today.  The sky is bright blue and cloudless.  And we still woke up to about 36 degrees with warm toes on icy tile floors.  And it's only warmed up to 44.  Brrrrrrrrr.

We pay attention, well some degree of attention, to weather reports so we knew it was going to be frosty this morning and took the necessary actions. Those being: close most of the  windows at least most of the way (we are fresh air fans after all), wear socks to bed, put an extra blanket on the bed and at least one of the cats.   It worked out just fine.  I woke up to not one but two cats curled up on top of me.  Brysco and Wyatt did not object because they are no fools.  We were all snug and warm and cozy together even though the air was downright cold.

The frigid temps didn't impact me one bit until I actually touched that tile floor with my naked toes.  Those tiles were so cold they almost felt hot. It's a strange sensation but if you've ever experienced it, you know exactly what I mean.  I will say that my hot shower never felt quite so good and I didn't dawdle one second longer than necessary getting dressed.  It involved a lot of hopping from one foot to the other until I finally got socks and shoes on. 

Tim even turned the heat on for a short bit just to take the edge off the worst of it.   That almost burning smell when the heater goes on for the first time each season always give me a nano-second of panic until I remember, nothing is on fire, just dust in furnace burning off.  whew!

This is how I know it's officially cold:  Tim is wearing a long sleeved shirt.  With shorts of course, let's not be crazy. But still.  Tim. Long Sleeved Shirt.  In Florida!  That's quite the statement.  I, on the other hand, am in layers.  I perfected the art of layers when we lived in New England, and it is a skill that continues to serve me well.   Today it's real socks and not those shortie sneaker invisible socks that I usually wear.  No short for me. I'm in jersey pants - referred to in some circles (not mine) as "athleisure wear" - my new white tee shirt and a toasty warm oversized hoodie.   My legs, I admit are a little chilly right now but that's only because at the moment I'm sitting still, writing, as soon as I'm up and moving it'll be fine. Or probably fine. If not, I'll add tights underneath. Again, I know how to layer.  The key, by the way,  is thin layers not bulky/heavy layers over bulky/heavy layers in case you didn't already know.

In the news, if you get any news of Florida weather wherever you are, they most likely mentioned how our iguanas tend to fall out of trees when it gets cold like this.  It's because the poor little things are cold blooded critters, so when the temp drops below 50, they get sluggish, below 40 they get "cold stunned", lose their grips and literally fall out of trees!  Once the weather warms up, they will "thaw" out and go right on their merry way. I suppose it's kind of like being in suspended animation.  Still the falling out of trees thing has got to hurt!  

Today we will see people bundled up in puffy coats and complaining.  While I don't love being cold, I will say that I am enjoying the novelty of it all.  I'm drinking loads of hot water to warm up my insides and I am making cold weather food like Cottage pies and baked mac'n'cheese casseroles.  Food that are more stick-to-the-ribs yummy rather than our usual light fare to balance out the Florida heat.

I'm sure any visitors from other places woke up a little bummed today expecting to lay on the beach in bathing suits, soaking up the sun.  Well the sun is out, so I suppose, technically, you still could do that but my bet is that anyone on the beach is fully dressed today. 

I'm going to enjoy this chilly day, maybe make some cocoa!  It'll warm back up again, not to August HOT and HUMID levels naturally, but to normal November in Florida which is more 60's peaking in the 70's range. Lovely.  It's why people come here during the winter.  But there may be more cold weather on tap for us yet to come.  Winter hasn't even officially arrived yet.  It's still autumn after all!

Yes, I know, other places have got far worse weather right now including inches to  feet of snow!  Yikes!  But those are places that have colder weather and snow anyway.  They expect it, they know how to dress for it, how to drive in it, how to cook for it and function despite it.  Here, it takes a minute to remember, "How did we used to do this?"|

Personally I have an extremely limited cold weather wardrobe so I hope for only small batches of days with wintery temps at a time  -  a few here and a few there - sprinkled throughout the fall and winter seasons. Because for the life of me, I cannot remember where I stashed my gloves. I know I saved ONE pair and I put them somewhere safe which is always the kiss of death.  I'll never find them now.

According to Tim the weather guys said that today is the coldest November 11th on record in Tampa for the last 130 years!  Wow!  I just checked to see what the most arctic the thermometer ever registered in Venice Florida and, according to Mr. Google, the lowest number was 28 degrees. And that's brisk anywhere!  Comparatively, today's 36 degrees is not too bad. After all, it's above freezing, right?

Anyway, as the week goes by, it'll begin to warm up to our normal again.  And our normal is lovely, it's wonderful, it's part of why people refer to Florida as "Paradise".  But days like today that are a little unique for us, are also a delight. I'm going to get out there and enjoy it.

I have no idea what your weather is like today. If it's really cold/snowy/icey, please bundle up and stay warm and safe.  If it's just an autumn crisp, have some warm cider or hot tea and enjoy the beautifully coloured leaves.  If you live in Florida, take heart, this is temporary.