Thanks 2010

Thanks to all my blog supporters for coming to visit my little slice of life throughout 2010. I hope you'll be back to visit often in 2011 and share this spot with your friends if you think it is worthy.

The beach today was wonderful. I almost didn't go but when my first glimpse was of a delighted child feeding the gulls... I was hooked. Yep, this was the place to be for an hour or so to renew my energy. Too much holiday, too much food, too little sleep all washed away with the waves and sea breezes.

I almost felt like this little tern, just sitting in the sand enjoying the warmth of the sun. It was as if he was saying to his departing feathered friends... "you guys go ahead, I'll just sit here for a while."

But things were not dreary back at home either. A neighbor's kids had watched a butterfly hatch from its cocoon just before they went on a holiday trip. I was given the task to butterfly sit until it felt like taking wing.

And a hibiscus flower survived the latest freeze to make a colorful showing for the new year ahead. All of these things I count as good omens for 2011.

Happy New Year to all.

As far as I got

This photo is my beach approach. It's the beach entrance closest to my house and the one I use 99.9% of the time. Today this was as far as I got.

Winter storms dumping snow up the east coast, record setting cold in Florida and even though the sun came out, the wind didn't abate and the temperatures were barely out of the 30s. Much too cold for a Floridian whose blood has thinned out to the point of being almost reptilian. Br-r-r-r.

I am grateful though that I'm not having to deal with shoveling snow, power outages, traffic tie ups or sleeping in airport terminals. I'm sorry for all the vacationers who came to Florida to get warm. But this won't last and by week's end we are supposed to be back in the 70s again. I'll post some warmer beach photos then.

In the meantime, if you are cold... stay warm. If you are being deluged with rain... stay dry; and if you are surrounded by snow enjoy it for me, because that's as close as I want to be.

Christmas eve on the beach

Christmas eve, you are in Florida for vacation and no matter what, you are going surfing! It not important that the air temperature is in the mid 50s and that the wind is blowing out of the north at 12 to 14 mph. The water temperature is in the low 60s so it probably feels good, especially if you are suited up in a wet suit. I did notice the car this young man got out of had license plates from New York so I guess this is warm. Right?

Well, lucky me got to go to the beach too, though I was in heavy coat and hat. The wind was strong and this poor gull was trying to head north right into the wind but was being held stationary no matter how hard he tried. Gave me a good photo op.

At least the sun was out, at least I was able to walk on the beach, and thankfully had a warm coat to wear. Merry Christmas to all!

Birds of a feather

Yes, just like the shore birds, I certainly enjoyed this lovely day at the beach. The surf was good enough for a few intrepid surfers, the sun was bright and it was warm enough for me to shed my jacket. Not bad for December 22 any way you slice it. Woo hoo!

The beach is back!

Hurrah, my new computer arrived and it is up and running like a charm. As a matter of fact, I think I'm in love. It is bigger, faster, sleeker than my previous 6-year-old model and has features that will take me years to learn.

Though unexpected... Merry Christmas to me.

More importantly, I am able to get back online and to share my idyllic life with you. I also headed to the beach for the first time in many, many days. We've had unseasonably cold weather and the accompanying strong winds have made beach walking unbearable. Then the past two days it has been rainy and dreary.

Today there is sunshine but cold again so a short beach trip afforded me some blue blue skies with the hint of passing jets. It also heralded the return of the royal terns.

I didn't stay long without my heavy coat but... I'm back!

Stay tuned

Alas my trusty computer died and a new one is on order. I'll be back SOON I hope.

Stay tuned....

Before the cold

With a massive cold weather front coming this way (after dumping so much snow in Minnesota that the Metrodome roof collapsed) I decided to enjoy what may be my last beach walk for a while. Temperatures were bearable in the upper 50s and the sun was out so I savored it all. Though the photo above has no real visual interest, the different colors of the sky, the waves and the foam on the red sand was captivating as was the blue, blue sky with just a hint of what was to come in the wispy clouds.

I even got to enjoy a cup of tea on my patio before heavy clouds and a sprinkling of rain forced me inside. At least it wasn't snow and fortunately I didn't have to run to the grocery store to stock up before the storm.

Catching up

It has been too cold to brave the beach. With approaching holidays there has been too much to do, and I've been embroiled in a home project that has taken me away from my daily routine. I have also been a bit lax with this blog. So I nosed through some of my old files and decided to share these two photos with you.

The first one I named the little teapot because, just like when we were kids and could find objects in clouds shapes, this one was unmistakable.

On the same day the sun ducked behind a little strip of cloud for a moment and I thought the image was remarkable.

So there you have it — catching up for now and ready for the beach again tomorrow.

Brisk!

Wintertime here in Florida is without ice and snow, fortunately, but we do get some cold temperatures and the bright skies and rough seas seem to be part of the cold. Too bad I can't send you the frigid wind that accompanied these waves and nipped at my ears, nose and fingers.

As usual there were a couple people in shorts and short sleeved shirts (usually Canadians) and even one brave soul was taking a swim without a wet suit. Maybe he was practicing for the upcoming Polar Bear swim. More power to him.

Lovely day though, and enjoying the surf and sky took my mind off the cold — for a while anyway.

Not Montana

On my bucket list is a trip out to the western US especially Montana, big-sky country, and Wyoming. Today Florida offered up its own version of big-sky country. A cold front was moving through and the sky was spectacular. Reflection on the water made it doubly spectacular.

So welcome to big-sky country, Florida style. That front also brought us temperatures 30º lower than what we've had lately. Br-r-r-r-r.