Happy Halloween

As the day begins and people rush around with last minute preparations, buying candy and finishing customs. I sit back and relax, knowing that no one will be venturing into my yard to trick or treat at my door. It isn’t just my place either. Very few parents will be letting their children canvas the neighborhood (Moon Lake). Dodging drunk drivers and hostile dogs is no way to spend Halloween. And not exactly safe. We’ll take the nephews to a better place, where there are sidewalks and houses in neat little rows. And later tonight I’ll celebrate the holiday the way my great greats’ did. By saying goodbye to lost loved ones and hello to the Celtic new year. Of course, I also have my own personal ritual of gorging on candy corn and sixlets.
Have a safe and happy Halloween.

Things to Do in the Swamp

What is there to do? Not much so one has to be creative. Which basically means I spend a lot of time writing, reading and playing insanely complicated internet rpg games. Yes, it may sound pathetic and ok it is but hey what do u expect when u move to a place w/no nightlife unless you count the armadillos, possums, and raccoons. And don’t forget the frogs. On a rainy night, their endless croaking drowns out the tv and drives me to a point where I’m yelling at them to shut up, while my husband (who‘s lived here his entire life) sits beside me telling me that he thinks the sound is soothing. Then there’s always bird watching. Which brings me to the pic above, that’s a hawk and seeing it land on my powerline then swoop down to catch mice is definitely a highlight of Living the Swamp Life.

The Elusive Beaches of Paradise

They‘re there, you just gotta know where to look. I live on the Gulf side of FL on the Nature Coast. This is exactly as it sounds (no false advertising here). If you love marshes full of birds of every size and shape, turtles, and manatees then you’re good to go. But if you’re searching for the elusive beaches of paradise, try further south. Pasco county, my county is just north of the Florida Palm Tree equator. Which is marked by the existence of natural palm trees. Now don’t be fooled by the trees planted in neat rows in front of subdivisions named Tropical Breeze. South of the equator you can find those amazing, a little bit of god’s magic, aquamarine jewels. The closest I’ve come to post card perfection is Fort Desoto Beach (keep in mind here that I’ve never been to the Keys). And if you’re reading this in front of a pc in FL and have never been there. Stop! Back away from the computer. Strap in the significant other; kids, spouse, whatever, into the car and go. Now is the perfect time, wait one or two more weeks and our thin Floridian blood won’t take the cold.
Well that’s all I got today. So until next time: Keep on Keeping on.

Stuff You Should Know

For those of us who might never have visited this great state of Florida aka: the sunshine state. There are a few things you should know before you belt your boogie boards and bikes to the SUV rack and race down here.
One: The sunshine state is a pretty ambitious name for a place that has rain everyday like clockwork three months out of the year. Yes, there is sun, lots and lots of sun but mix that with a 90+% of humidity and you’ve got one hot sticky mess. But if you’re still determined to see the Disney state, head down here in spring or fall and you’ll get your money’s worth. But don’t decide to stay, trust me. Florida is like that giant sand trap on a golf course, once you get stuck in it, you’ll never get your ball rolling again.
Well that’s all the time I’ve got today folks. So have a Good Morning, and in case I don’t see you; Good Afternoon, Good Evening, & Good Night.

Life in a Florida Swamp

Yes I live in a swamp. But no I don’t live in a tree or hut or wigwam. I have electricity and the internet (obviously). In fact, I have neighbors and live in a subdivision called “Moon Lake Estates” But using the words Subdivision and Estate to describe Moon Lake is the equivalent of calling Paris Hilton an accomplished actress. My property is on a corner lot, on one side of me is a street of low rent trailers full of pill pushers, poppers and those unfortunate enough to believe that the price of rent is worth dealing with them. On the right, is an amazing swamp that stretches for miles full of deer, wild boar and yes the occasional Gator. Depravity and Nature, who could ask for anything more?
Interested? Would you like to know more? Stay tuned for the next installment of Living the Swamp Life.