Here's Lookin' @ You

Ah...its summertime and the livin' is easy.....still June......almost the 4th of July. Life is pretty quiet along the Caloosahatchee, and this is about as calm as the river gets.
For big time entertainment we go down to the sea wall and watch the dolphins put on a show. The water is shallow here, and it almost seems like the big guys want to jump up and extend a flipper. They do actually jump up in the air sometimes, but so far they've stayed in the water, and we've remained on dry land.
They say there is at least one alligator in every river, creek, pond, or stream in Florida. Not all of them are as friendly as this critter. In fact, I don't think they swim in the Gulf. Do they?!?
Fewer pelicans during the summer months because they fly North to escape the heat (just like people do), but we love spotting the ones that remain behind. These are doing their own fishing, but some of the lazy ones hang out at the docks, hoping for scraps from the boats.

Some Days

Yawn. Just because it's the rainy season doesn't mean that it has to rain every day. About the only variation is that some days the thunderstorms start rolling in during the morning hours. Otherwise, it's clear (sometimes sunny) before noon or maybe even until four or five in the afternoon, and then, the thunder grumbles off in the distance (sometimes from several directions at once), or perhaps there's just a loud crash of lightning - and the rains suddenly descend (sometimes obliterating everything farther than several feet from the windows).

Be still, sad heart, and cease repining;
Behind the clouds is the sun still shining;
Thy fate is the common fate of all,
Into each life some rain must fall,
Some days must be dark and dreary.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Up Up & Away

Have you ever had one of those days when you just wanted to get away from it all? It must be like flying without the plane. The boat slows down and drags you through the water too. I don't know. Life is exciting enough just sitting here on the beach. I mean, there's always the danger of sunburn, the threat of sudden storms, the possibility of being attacked by a marauding beach umbrella..............then, once in the water, you contend with sharks lurking, stingrays scuttling, crabs pinching.....just the other day a pelican dived down and ripped open a woman's cheek with his beak.

It sure looks peaceful floating around up there.

Mi Casa, Su Casa

After viewing one of my earlier blogs, the World's Most Inquisitive Grandchild asked whether Nenah had made the sand castle in the photo. (Not this one - a more elaborate one. They're everywhere.)
Ah, no, my Little Sea Urchin.......that's Nenah.....down there by the water.........
searching for sea shells and splashing in the surf. (Have I mentioned that now the water temperature is sometimes warmer than the air temperature?) Anyhow, I was amused to think that the WCG thought that his grandmother spent her days building castles in the sand (he loves construction). So.......if you see me toting heavy buckets of water up and down the beach, you'll know I'm practicing for the next time I'm working with the World's Most Demanding Project Boss.

Fashion note: Those shoes are Crocs, and I did not find them on the beach.

Father's Day

Aah......what better way to spend Father's Day.......unless it's watching the U.S. Open in front of a big-screen TV......in exactly the same position?

Wedding Days

June: the month of beautiful brides and handsome grooms reciting their vows.

And what is so rare as a day in June?
Then, if ever, come perfect days;
Then Heaven tries the earth if it be in tune,
And over it softly her warm ear lays.
-James Russell Lowell

So what's up with all these tornadoes and storms and floods? Ah, yes... sometimes marriage can be like that too.

mazel tov

A Day in the Life

Early in the day we sometimes stroll along the Caloosahatchee, hoping to catch a glimpse of our friends, the dolphins. The pool is also an option in the AM before the sun gets too hot......otherwise you feel like you're a tidbit swimming around in a gigantic tureen of cioppino or bouillabaisse. The morning is a glorious time of day along the sun coast.
If we don't begin the day at the pool or at the shops running errands (well, we're not on vacation after all), we're off to the beach. Life just doesn't get any better.......even if Neptune hasn't thrown any really big shells up on the beach lately. The Gulf, however, is as warm as your bathtub and is actually a bit too salty for a tasty turtle soup, although not far from where I'm standing is a nest of turtle eggs, cordoned off with the ubiquitous yellow tape and posted sign threatening hefty fines and jail term if one is caught in the act of disturbing or intruding.
As the heat and humidity (not a dry heat here) increase throughout the day, ominous dark clouds roll in from all directions, and the winds pick up. Yep. I said winds with an s. We actually saw a tornado begin as a water spout across the river, swirl up onto the shore, and, you guessed it ............ head straight for a trailer park. These wild storms have been the typical scenario this month (it's the rainy season) with lots of lightning and thunder and plenty of raindrops falling on your head. The chaises go crazy, diving into the pool and occasionally hopping the fence and jumping into the river.
Then, all is forgiven and the sun sets in a blaze of glory.

Of course, y'all have your weather quirks too. Michigan is hotter than Florida (wouldn't you know they'd out-Florida Florida the year that I'm living in Florida?!?), and the South Island has seen snow already. The North Island is none too tropical either with the rugby test in Wellington a little on the frosty side. Still have my eye on those All Blacks.

Poinciana: Flamboyant Tree

Poinciana. At last I've discovered the name of these fabulous trees that have been blooming here there and everywhere for the past several weeks. They are actually a vivid orange which doesn't photograph reliably, and from the 25th floor you can see them dabbed across the landscape by some delightfully mad artist who is intent on making a name for himself. I have questioned many Floridians about these beauties, but nobody seems to know ( and it wasn't as if I insisted on the Latin name) - either they haven't lived here very long or they've forgotten or they just don't care. Trees is trees, but I don't think I've noticed any of these in Ann Arbor, City of Trees. C'mon, Michigan, step up to the plate. Whatcha got?

http://www.floridata.com/ref/D/delo_reg.cfm

June So Soon

I try to avoid visiting the supermarkets at all costs. One of the things I liked about NZ was shopping on-line and having groceries delivered for about $10. However, June 1 is day one of hurricane season, and here I am, list in hand, grabbing up two cans of tuna before the shelves empty. I don't even like tuna - unless it's ahi, but I guess we won't be eating sushi by candlelight if one of those bad boys comes calling.

FEMA puts out preparedness info for kids, which is where I get my info since the adult version is just too scary to think about. I have enough trouble packing a suitcase for a vacation. How will I ever be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice? I guess the fashion police won't be participating so.........no worries.

http://www.fema.gov/kids/hurr.htm

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/weather/hurricane/sfl-hc-foodsupply,0,5850543.storygallery