reality check?

 According to the long-range forecast in the fall

we were supposed to be in for a

brutally cold winter.

 Summer had been so hot and dry and forecasters

were predicting the worst

for winter.

 This morning we awoke to a dusting of snow

and wonderfully intricate patterns

of ice on our windows.

First it had rained - then cooled off enough to leave the snow behind.

It's December 31 and most lawns are still sporting their grass.

The next few days are supposed to be colder but then

milder temps are once again in the forecast.

Is this the extent of our "brutally cold winter"?

I rather doubt it!