I appreciate everyone's help here.

Insofar as freezing vs cold goes: first world I ever spawned in it must have been mountains. I didn't know any better and kept freezing. I hadn't figured out how to find small rocks to make a fire yet in that go.

The following worlds probably were NOT mountains, one was kind of field like with streams, but when I would get the cold message, I'd have a panic. Beehives keep poisoning me, and those wildlings like to sneak up on me when my hands are full of things I can't punch them with. I have found ruined buildings, but typically they're small and also full of poison. Mostly I find them in the woods.

My last death, though, was because a boar cornered me in my own house (no door). Haha.

I did figure out that eating is a darned good thing to do. Even if it is just a handful of berries.

Are dandelions good for anything?

I am thoroughly enjoying this game for all of the train wreck I have been whilst playing it. :)