Perception

Here's what yesterday's snow storm in Minnesota looks like this afternoon in Florida.

More stuff that we don't have where I live

Here is my picture from yesterday of a bald eagle and its nest at the Punta Gorda History Park.This is a great blue heron taking in the sights on the Port Charlotte side.The banyan tree in Ponce de Leon Park in Punta Gorda.Just some miscellaneous shade trees along the street in Punta Gorda.This could be the Fountain of Youth as that's old Ponce de Leon himself. The average age of the people seen in proximity to Ponce leads to the conclusion that it is not said Fountain.It was chilly overnight but it warmed into the upper 60s for this afternoon's trip to the park. Sunny skies, pleasant breezes, a pretty nice day in the sub tropics.

Super Sunday

Here's something you never see where I live.Possibility number 1: We don't need them.

Possibility number 2: Regional spelling differences.

Snow emergency route

It is pretty windy today, the local TV reports 5 to 7 foot waves off shore and describes inland waters as choppy. This doesn't bother me much as I don't do boat. The temperature has risen to 70ish and this afternoon at least is mostly sunny.

I have heard rumors (actually I went to the WCCO weather page) of impending snow. Here is the snow or possibly some other kind of emergency route in Punta Gorda.Not much text today, mostly pictures. Anyone feel like a little sea cow pizza?It was my impression that those things are sort of protected but I could be wrong. That restaurant is also in Punta Gorda.

And here's one for Tennis Toucan.

A good day for sailing?

It is actually a pretty nice day here today, temperatures into the 70s with the sun making at least a couple of token appearances. However, it IS windy. We observed la regle d'Auckland and rode over to the beach. There were several catamarans preparing to launch and I thought to myself that it was probably a good day for that. But maybe not, when we arrived back at the compound the Weather Channel was reporting a small craft advisory.We rode past this interesting hedge on both the outward and inward legs of the journey. I like orange, there are not enough orange flowers.The recent record setting cold spell here did more than just raise the price of oranges and tomatoes in the northern states. Lots of people with tropical yard plantings of the more delicate variety have lost shrubbery. This one is called "sea grape" by the hostess.Here is something to really like about Florida. Winter in Minnesota can make a person feel more than a little aged and infirm. But when one comes to Florida and spends a little time around the truly aged and truly infirm one quickly realizes that there is still a loooooong ways to go on the slide down the age and infirmity scorecard. It is an interesting paradigm shift to suddenly find oneself to be among the quite young and healthy again.

Arizona?

I am experiencing disorientation because of the climate shift but even so I am a little surprised that I didn't notice that I have apparenttly been transported to the desert. The new park down at the end of the street has some excellent succulents, this among them.An afternoon excursion took us to the spring training home of the Tampa Bay Rays and the summer home of the Charlotte Sand Crabs. It was a beautiful day today for a ball game, if Ernie Banks had been there he would have suggested playing two.Pitchers and catchers report in about two weeks but the field looks already completely ready to go. The complex features this stadium field, four full size practice fields and and a fifth mini-field that has only an infield and a fence right behind where the shortstop would stand.

The whole sand crab episode reassured me that I am still where I think I am. I just have never heard very much about sea crustaceans out there in the Southwest.

Adventures in Geezerland.

This morning we headed over to Punta Gorda to check on a farmers' market. The location of the market was deep inside the mall/tourist trap known as Fisherman's Village. This location is patronized by lots and lots of old people. Here's one of the ways you can tell that is true without having to visit and take a look around for yourself. There are handrails on the handrails.We had a little extra time so I quickly chartered a fishing cruise and we swung out into the Gulf. Fishing was good as I was able to hook and land this dandy speciman.I reeled him on a fly rod with 8 pound test line using a small dog for bait.

We headed back to the compound where we discovered that Charlie was visiting again and that this time he had brought the whole family. A couple of them entertained by doing that stand on one leg thing.This afternoon we achieved shorts, temperatures in the upper 60s and a little bicycling broke out.

Who would have believed that oranges grow on trees? I thought they came from Cub.Furthermore who would have thought that some people have these trees right in their backyards?