Cope, come what may, was the answer as Herefordshire people braved some of the worst freezing conditions for 30 years.
Temperatures fell well below minus 10 degrees Centigrade last week, according to unofficial reports from around the county.
The cold spell, which began before Christmas, was expected to continue until the end of this week.
County schools and colleges re-opened on Monday as A-level and GCSE students sat their exams.
Earlier emergency services were at full stretch and bus services were brought to a halt.
Red Cross 4×4s were called upon to back up ambulance crews as Herefordshire mobilised its varied fleet of all-purpose vehicles. Nurses stayed overnight at the County Hospital.
Tragedy was narrowly averted last week when a 13-year-old boy was treated by an ambulance rapid response team after falling in the frozen Belmont Lakes.
Another drama happened when crews were called to a 56-year-old woman who injured her back while sledging at Eaton Bishop.
WRVS meals on wheels got through at Marden thanks to a former Army Land Rover ambulance driven by owner Adrian Tilbury, a mechanic at Glyn Lewis Garage.
Glyn Lewis, a former stalwart with the meals on wheels, said: “The WRVS will reach the North Pole if required. It’s a wonderful organisation and we were only too pleased to help.”
The weather was a challenge to all services.
Refuse collections were suspended up to Friday but were returning to normal this week.
The RSPB has put out a call for people to feed the birds in their gardens.
West Mercia Safer Roads Partnership is reminding all road users to carry on exercising caution on the roads as ice and snow continue to make driving conditions hazardous across many parts of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.
And attendance at Hereford Hospitals A&E department saw a dramatic rise thanks to the cold weather and the festive season.
Peaking at more than 160 patients a day, well above the average of 120, this included an increase in the number of alcohol-related injuries, mainly New Year’s Eve, compared to last year. There was also a rise in the number of slips, trips and falls.
Martin Woodford, Chief Executive of Hereford Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Hereford Hospitals staff should be praised for their commitment.”