Floridians and the Environment

Floridians have a love-hate relationship with the environment this time of year.

Let me re-phrase that. My perception is that Floridians have a love-hate relationship with the environment this time of year. After all ~ who I am to speak for 19,000,000 other denizens?

Here’s why. We have the place to ourselves ~ the tourists, baseball players, snowbirds and college kids have all gone north. The weather is still picture perfect. The water temperature down at the beach where we swim is an indulgent 81 degrees. Not bath water yet ~ but very pleasant.

There has been no measurable rain since November and literally not a drop since early April. Thus, there is very low humidity and no bugs including the dreaded mosquitoes. There has been a stiff easterly breeze these past few weeks which gives the air a fresh feeling.

It is also dry. Very dry. Consequently, much of the state is on fire. A graphic on the television weather last night showed little flames flickering across much of the peninsula. Several big highways are closed due to heavy smoke. So, Florida is burning.

However, at the barber shop the other day the guy in the chair next to me said he was going golfing. He quipped that the aligators weren't out yet and that would improve his game. My barber replied that he was taking his boat out this weekend. No thunderstorms to send me in early, he laughed. And we had dinner the other night with our good friend who invited us to her club overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. I swallowed my first shrimp as the sun set over the sparkling blue water.

Go figure.