Springtime in Paradise

Springtime in Florida is very different from those I've experienced in New York. This past winter and beginning of spring has found us with very warm temperatures (85+) and lots of pollen in the air. The lack of rain doesn't help our allergies either.

Up north, we would witness blooming flowers, such as crocus, tulips and daffodils. The forsythia and flowering pear tree would be splashing yellow and white across the deepening green lawn. There is a true sense of "re-birth" and "cleansing" after a cold and dreary winter. 

During this time, you see more people venturing outside for longer periods of time and neighborhood friendships are rekindled and renewed. Opening windows and doors to let in the fresh crisp air is a welcome relief after the always-too-long hibernation period.

In Florida, I discovered the opposite to be true. During the winter and early spring, flowers and trees bloom, people are out and about at all times. Windows and doors are flung open to accept the welcome breezes, that is, UNTIL springtime arrives in full force.

With the shift in weather and the approaching holidays, most of the residents at our resort begin to head north around April, north towards their summer homes in Canada, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut or New York.  Most will return in the fall once the putrid heat begins to wane. Until then, windows and doors are closed against the oppressive heat and neighbors hibernate when not in the 88 degree swimming pool. Let's just say it's a different world down south in springtime. 

Good thing we had the Jeep.

With a beautiful day in store today, George and I decided to experience a "first." We went blueberry picking at Southern Hill Farms, about 15 minutes north of us. Due to major construction in the area, we needed to take a detour down a long, dusty, unpaved road to reach the farm. We spent about two hours walking up and down about a dozen perfectly straight rows of blueberry bushes, pulling off the sweet fruit and placing them into our buckets (when not in our mouths). I never knew there were so many different types of blueberries! The berry picking became an obsession and I wanted to fill my bucket to the tippity-top.

We picked over five pounds worth of four, out of the 10, varieties offered at the farm:

Flicker - large, firm and excellent flavor

Meadowlark - large, crisp, firm berry with excellent blush

Scintilla - very sweet, tastes like candy 

Chickadee - medium sized, semi-sweet flavor

The mixed berries.

When all the berries are mixed up, the combination of flavors is amazing. My dinner this evening was blueberry pancakes topped  with blueberries and tomorrow's breakfast will be oatmeal with blueberries and local raw honey.  Three pounds have been packaged for the freezer and the remainder will be shared with friends and/or eaten right away.

Tomorrow is Easter Sunday. We will be spending it quietly. Perhaps a swim in the pool for me, sleeping late for George, and a can of Fancy Feast Turkey and Giblets for Lucy. A stop at friends' for dessert (I'll bring blueberries) will end our Sunday. 

Speaking of Miss Lucy, she is hanging in. We're hoping to celebrate her 15th birthday here on June 15th. She constantly amazes us with frequent bouts of "kitten-like" behavior and continues to make us smile. My sweet little girl...her new "habit" is actually an old one. When I first got her, she used to get in the shower and lick the water. She just started doing that again after over 10 years.

Days are warm, sun is bright, breezes blow...life is good. 

Deep thought for the day:  No two people walk exactly the same path. One may look up, while one looks down. Each observes a different view and feeling. Life is unique. Enjoy each moment and don't forget to stop briefly to look, smell, listen and perhaps, pop a blueberry in your mouth. ~vc

Rainy Day Rambling

Well, well, well....It's been quite a span of time since I sat down to compose a blog entry, which was mainly caused by my biggest obstacle - tortuously slow wi-fi here at Elite.  After complaining and whining to George for over six weeks while watching my screen attempt to open up my browser, open an email, download or upload, I bit the bullet and ordered Internet from the local service provider, Spectrum. Now, I'm once more spoiled with dedicated, high-speed Internet connectivity! One of my tag lines reads, "Life is Beautiful," and now, it's beautifully FAST. Ahhh. The little things that make me smile.

We have spent the majority of our time here in Florida enjoying the bright sunshine, warm weather, listening to the mocking birds' endless impressions, continuing the upgrades to our lot and enjoying the company of friends - mostly New Yorkers! 

Today finds us enjoying a much-welcomed rainy day. The grass is sucking it up faster than it can reach the ground due to continued drought conditions in Central Florida. All of the retention ponds are either dried up or look like small puddles, so you shouldn't hear too many complaints about the clouds and drizzle. 

Since the conditions are so dry, the fire departments conduct regular "controlled burns" to eliminate, what they categorize as, "potential fuel," which is actually multiple acres of dead trees, branches and over-growth. While there is controversy about the practice, it does make sense to eliminate it prior to a lightening strike or human induced fire, but the smell can be disturbing when it's close to our vicinity.

To change to a prettier subject, the Mocking Birds are an interesting absurdity and distraction. Most people here complain about their constant daytime and nocturnal singing, but it is the only bird I ever hear in this area, so if I had to pick one bird, it might as well be one that can mimic dozens of birds.  

Mocking Birds are about 7" long, mate for life and live about eight years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity. They are the State bird of Florida and males do most of the singing. Amazingly, a male bird was once observed to have a repertoire of over 200 different bird songs.  

  Click below to hear the Florida State Bird in action.

Our lot is coming along quite nicely thanks to the fact that George got a job at a local Lowe's store. We purchased a bunch of stuff utilizing his Employee Discount Card and ended up spending his first four paychecks even before receiving the first! Here are a few before and after shots...

"Before"

"After"

Better photo of "After"

Dim-able lights.

Not pictured on the lot, but our new Griddle Grill.....So far, loving it. Made some wicked bacon and eggs on it.

The new job at Lowe's is going well. George likes the fact of "having a reason to get up and get going," which he was beginning to actually miss since retiring. I've made it a point of setting an alarm and getting up earlier also. Today, the extra time and rain afforded me the opportunity to share this update.

Besides by beautiful metal crane depicted above, here are a couple of  other "new additions" to the lot.

New Red Hibiscus and two wooden & metal birds.

George's choice: Yellow Hibiscus with red center along with a fern and Croton Plant.

That's it from beautiful, rainy, cloudy Florida. Hope all is well with whoever reads this entry and whatever you need is being provided to you this day.

Deep thought for the day:  Credit goes to the talented David Ruffin of The Temptations, "You may find it hard to understand, how I wish it would rain."

Click the link below to be awed and impressed...and for some, reminisce about days long gone.
The Temptations - I Wish It Would Rain



PS:  R.I.P:  Kathy Merz's mom (whom I unfortunately never had the chance to meet) and Alfredo Tresgallo, a hard-working immigrant from Spain who should be the role model for all who enter this country seeking "The American Dream."