WunderPhotos®

Thanks, Dave---I sure will! :-)
Peter, yup, the pipes are all wrapped in heat tape and what can be is buried 3 to 4 feet underground. The wildlife that lives around here are all well adapted to cold winters so they don't have any problems unless we get a bad layer of ice or extremely deep snow. About watering stock: farmers keep heaters in the water tanks and make sure hoses are either fully drained every time they're used or else have them underground with a self draining faucet above ground that won't freeze--ingenious, huh? :D
Sure wish I had a fireplace--what a lovely thought! Just a propane furnace to heat the house. :(

Chuckling! Yes, Ingrid, it is like a whole different world in our northern regions (ask Katy in Alaska---they get it waaaaay worse than we do down here!!). We have to have engine heaters in our cars--newer ones often have heated seats and heated outside mirrors--or they won't start on way-below-zero days. Our houses have to be extremely well insulated and all water & sewer lines buried deep below ground, and most of us in mobile homes bank around them with snow to help insulate the skirting so the floors stay warmer. And we learn to dress in warm layers that can be taken off and put back on as needed, with insulated boots, warm hats & gloves, and scarves our standard dress. Fun, huh? :D
Thanks, Susan! I don't know about hardy, but we do what we have to to survive. :D
P.S. It was -9 degrees below zero F. this morning and only expected to get up to about 17 degrees above zero F. :D

You sure described it exactly right, Kathy! :D We all are unidentifiable in the get-ups we have to wear to get out in below zero weather! LOL! Thanks for your note!

Kathy, winter used to be my favorite time of the year, but now I'm finding myself getting "old and cold", and having visions of being down in the southwest somewhere where it's warm all winter. Had to chuckle about your idea of "winter sports"! :D
Kathy

Chuckling.....after living here 60+ years a person learns what works and what doesn't, huh? Thanks for your note, Heidrun! :-)

For sure, Photonut! :-)

Chuckling....fun picture, Gene! :D Thanks!