For a man who enjoys cold weather, Florida might not be the optimal state in which to live. Nevertheless, here I am. A couple of days past the winter solstice and and I find myself noting the Christmas lights on the palm trees, and the flowers in bloom, and the perspiration produced by a moderately brisk walk with the dog. It all feels kind of foreign. I’m not used to sweating a lot in December. Around here, even Santa wears short sleeves. Sunglasses too, I imagine: the light in Florida is always just a little too bright. It reflects from the pavement and the water and the windshields and it has me squinting even on the second shortest day of the year.
But you will not hear me complain. I’ve lived in a lot of places and I know that every place has its own beauty, its own unique horizon, its own list of things that take some getting used to. Meantime, I’m getting reacquainted with my excellent dog, whom I have not seen in awhile. She seemed happy to see me too — but then dogs always do, don’t they? She was happy to see the cat as well, although the feeling may not have been mutual.
Here’s a little slide show of our walk today along the St. John’s River. The audio is kind of jittery for reasons I don’t understand, and ends rather abruptly because I couldn’t be bothered to sync things properly.
There’s something to be said for optimism
Don’t sit under the camphor tree …
Crappy music, reasonably priced
The man who needs no introduction
The Christmas lights nestled in the green leaves are just perfect! Welcome to Florida, Dave!
Thanks, Hayley. And Merry Christmas!
The scenery looks beautiful, and the dog looks very happy, indeed. The music is good, too. 🙂 Merry Christmas.
Bella’s one happy, happy — most excellent — dog. Gotta love living on the water. Are you and the cat down there for good now? I loved your pictures of beautiful June! I became a great-aunt on Christmas Eve with the birth of Zoey to my 18-year-old niece. (It’s still sinking in.)
I hope you have a wonderful, adventurous New Year in Florida!
Congratulations, Sarah! “Zoey” is a distinctive name. I like it.
Right back at you on the good wishes for New Year’s. Have you found new digs yet?
My niece and the baby daddy were watching “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy,” starring Zooey Deschanel, right before her water broke. Hence the name Zoey. (My sister and her hubby came up with my niece’s name, “Pandhra,” while flipping through an animal book. Aargh!)
No new digs, yet. I had hoped to move in to my sister’s duplex in Tucson for a spell, but that fell through. So I’m thinking of stuffing everything in storage and living in a motel — with three cats — until I can raise some money and settle in somewhere. It’s tough when you’re broke, carless and anxiety-afflicted. And of course, Missoula is having it’s snowiest, coldest winter in ages. Florida’s starting to sound very appealing …