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| sunrise seen from my bed |
We had a flock of beautiful white birds (unidentified) fly by this morning (17th) like a white ribbon cutting through the blue sky; beautiful. Which reminds me: the snowbirds (Northern escapees from winter, primarily Canada, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota) arrived en-mass the first week of January and will begin to return home in April. This is known as 'The Season' and impacts almost everything done on/around the beach.
A snowbird (SB) conversation has a certain predictability and pattern to it in the lift (AE= elevator) or around the pool or out-and-about:
ME: Good morning/afternoon
SB: Hi,where are you from? Today sure is cold/hot/windy/cloudy/_____[fill in the blank].
ME: I live here, lovely day.
SB: Back home we just had 12 inches of snow and it is 20 degrees below [Fahrenheit that is, adjust snow depth/temperature as necessary but always in this ballpark]. So this weather isn't bad for us!
ME: Ah well, good you are here then.
SB: We better make the most of it, going home in 3 weeks. [adjust time to go home depending on if they stay 2, 3 (or less likely 4) months from January].
ME: Enjoy (said with a smile; what else to say??)
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| Bliss, but not likely a snowbird! |
One can have this conversation 6 or more times a day. It is modified by 2 snowbirds meeting one another where there is a slight digression into where they are from and how close their hometowns are before reverting to the weather. Often the conversation doesn't progress beyond this level - and I thought the British could talk about climate!
The transient winter population does make connecting a little harder, but certainly adds seasonal flavour! Many organisations have seasonal programmes and you can even buy a seasonal plan for TV/Internet/Phone service. Additionally as America was founded on the basis that all power resides with the States unless specifically given to the Federal government, there are many differences in legislation between States that makes life with out-of-state Snowbirds entertaining as they try to adjust to local laws and practices.
As the Snowbirds are on extended holidays in rental units they have no problems adjusting to Beach Time and a 'loose' approach to most everything. For those of us living here, it can be a tad bit more frustrating, the 'live in the moment, don't plan for tomorrow' tropical island approach. For a good read try Triggerfish Twist by Tim Dorsey which is a fun novel, but is filled with stories about living in the Tampa area. Hubby's doctor says 'everyone who can't get on with their families & colleagues migrates to Florida'! This would explain a lot!
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| The human beach highway |
Snowbirds also increase traffic not only on the roads, but along the beach -- on what Mini Me calls the 'human highway' of morning and evening beach walkers! With so many people out - you guessed it - an opportunity; advertising banners are pulled by both boat and plane and sometimes cross in the air.Snowbirds also bring with them beach weddings (the worst name for a wedding company I ever heard was Weddings on a Whim - but the irony seems to pass by many people).
Hubby has a new map of the Tampa Bay shipping channel and fancies himself harbor master watching the cargo and cruise ships from our balcony. One can identify and track the ships on www.marinetraffic.com
| Rare Kemp Ridley |
It's turtle tracks like these that identify the nests laid at night. See turtle snaps (ha ha) in my 2014 August posts with two turtle hatching video in 30 August blog.
Picture courtesy of http://activerain.trulia.com
I'm glad to see we taught you to talk about the weather well!
ReplyDeleteAdmittedly snowbirds come to Florida (unlike London!) for the weather, so mini me should give them some slack. :-)
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