As has been so for most of the Eastern US we have been experiencing record high temperatures almost since we arrived in mid-November. We don't associate temperatures in the 80's and 90's as high in general for FL, but in November and December it is unusual with records being set almost daily.
We are pretty much settled in again and are just enjoying the easy life. Our "garden" was in shambles when we arrived and we had a note from maintenance tucked inside the door handle that we needed weed whacking done to control the overgrowth of weeds and wild stuff! Some of our plants did not survive our absence or were growing out of control. Our neighbor who lives and who has an extensive, head-turning display across the way offered to help with weeding and to look after the plants next year when we go back to PA. We accepted!
We remain in reasonably good health and so far have not had to visit the ER!
I have taken a few pictures, some of old subjects, and some of new ones. I hope you will enjoy them.
First are a couple of our Hibiscus blossoms. They only last a day and we have many buds so our fertilizing and watering are beginning to show results.
And below is one of the plants from a gift Cathy got from the New Jersey Girls last year. We brought it with us and tended them until they got too big for indoors. We put them outside with mixed results. This is one of the successes!
Below is the neighbor's striking red Bougainvilla and one of her pink Hibiscus.
Our old friends the Sandhill Cranes are here too. Not sure if they are some of the babies we saw last year in the Spring.
Google won't allow me to turn this picture properly, so just use your imagination or turn your head!
Sandhill Cranes sharing a pond with a duck.
Our resident Gopher Tortoise whose burrow is at the rear corner of our lot seems larger this year.
Below is an up close and personal picture one of these ancient beings who thrive in this climate and not much anywhere else.
Cathy got a new Trike as we left her old one in Hershey so now she and Dixie are regulars on the myriad roads within this Preserve. This is a larger, Schwinn, model with 16-inch wheels. She says it pedals easier than the smaller Kent model and she gets going with less effort.
And we had a pretty sunset a couple of nights ago I thought you might enjoy it too!
That is all for this time. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my devoted followers. Thanks and all the best to you.
