A Perfect Week in Florida

Friday, April 21, 2017
We awoke to another perfect blue sky and sunshine this morning.  While the daily temperatures have pushed at times all the way to 90 degrees, the humidity has stayed in the 30 and 40s so it hasn't been overwhelming and there has been a very strong breeze.  For a week now we've had this fantastic weather and are enjoying it to the hilt.

I have been able to go to the pool in the early part of the day and not be chilled as I get my exercise bouncing, kicking, running etc in place - anything to keep the legs and arms moving water and bringing up my heart rate.  Bike rides are a challenge when I head down the streets going east as the wind whistles through my basket and blows my hair but speedy when going west with it pushing me along.

The few flowers that we have here in the park are providing lots of color.  Daily I thank my former neighbor Peggy for planting a couple of amaryllis bulbs when she was still here.  They have obviously multiplied and provided loads of orangey red flowers daily along with my Mexican purple petunias in the same garden. (this picture doesn't really show the beauty as the wind has blown off most of the petunia flowers and there is only one amaryllis now in bloom - there were 4)

 In the back the hibiscus has gorgeous yellow blossoms daily.

 Spring here in this area doesn't offer as much beauty as I remember in Michigan but it still does have its special plants.  Several people have knockout roses that are blooming in profusion.

Most everyone in the park has headed north so it is quiet here -- fewer cars and traffic on the streets within and outside of the park.  Making left hand turns on CR 54 isn't nearly the problem now and riding the bike around the park is truly carefree.  I can go as fast as I want and seldom run into cars, walkers and dogs on leashes.   But the best part is hearing all the beautiful birds talking to each other - Sandhill cranes and egrets along with hawks and woodpeckers (one has made a home in the pole near our house)

Emma Jean invited Orrie, Bev and I to her place on Wednesday for a couple of rousing games of hand and foot and lots of laughs.  What fun it is for us to get together and do that - especially after so many of us got sick during the season and our get togethers ended up not happening as often as we'd planned.  We also were able to enjoy time together in the pool just relaxing and chatting as we moved about in the water.

And best of all - there still are no bugs short of a few wasps if there is a nest in the vicinity.  I can sit outside and watch beautiful sunsets with nary a mosquito or other flying insect bothering me.

Yes it has been glorious!!!!!!!!