Friday, April 6, 2012

F is for Florida - A to Z Challenge


Several members of my family, including my parents, moved from Berks County, Pennsylvania to central Florida about 10 years ago. Since then, I’ve visited them at least a couple of times a year. Here are a few observations I’ve made about my parents’ new home:

1. It’s not called a neighborhood for old people. It’s a “retirement community for active seniors.” And don’t get it wrong! Here’s another thing you better not get wrong: When Bingo is held there Tuesday evenings, don’t ever shout “Bingo” by mistake. Don’t even joke around about it. And be quiet while they’re calling those numbers. Bingo is a blood sport down there!

2. In those retirement communities, everyone owns a golf cart, whether they golf or not. It’s how they get from their houses to the Bingo game, the on-campus restaurant, or the pool. During the holidays, everyone decorates their carts and they even have a golf cart parade to celebrate the season. I need to get a pic of this later this year because you really do have to see it to fully appreciate how much fun it is!

3. They have some very cool animals down there. It’s not uncommon to find a gator or a sandhill crane in my parents’ backyard. They’ve also seen bald eagles, turtles, snakes, wild boar, and some kind of small wolf within the walls of their community. It’s what an episode of Wild Kingdom would have looked like if Marlin Perkins liked playing Bingo.

A couple of sandhill cranes (we named them Ken and Barbie) checking me out!

4. It’s hot in Florida virtually year-round. This may seem pretty obvious, but you wouldn’t know it from the residents. I wondered why the department stores carried as many coats and sweaters as the stores up north. This was answered for me the first Christmas I spent there. It was an amazing low- to mid-70s afternoon. I was headed for the pool (which is always heated to luke-warm bath temp) in my swimsuit, shorts, and sandals. The neighbor was walking her dog in a winter jacket, knit hat, scarf, and gloves. Both of us were fairly appalled by the other’s attire.

It's only been 3 months, and I feel the need to sunburn myself by the pool, drive around in the golf cart, eat dinner at 5pm, visit the flea market on the weekend, play Yahtzee in the afternoon, and play Bingo in the evening. I can't wait to go for another visit!

F can also be for Friday! So happy Friday everyone, and have a good weekend!

10 comments:

  1. LOL - I've been to Florida (Vero Beach) and drove down to Miami along the coast road. I know what you mean!!! They do say the climate is similar to the one we have in the Algarve (I live in Portugal) - and that's full of retirement communities, except they seem to drink all day.

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    1. I'd love to visit Portugal!
      You've had some great posts this week for A-Z. I'm really enjoying them!

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  2. Yes, Jen, we are very particular about our "community" and our golf carts, etc. You forgot to mention that you need to very careful in the early morning due to all the "walkers" and "bikers" who are out exercising. We also have line dancing, shuffleboard, pool exercises and my beloved chorus. Finally, we all have adorable little dogs who know exactly where their doggy friends live and visit regularly. We have done our time in the office and now we are going to play in the sunshine. We love it. You are about due for a visit, aren't you?
    Love, Mom

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    1. True, I forgot to mention all about the dogs! Dogs, dogs everywhere! They're so cute!

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  3. :) I'm a native Florida Cracker. I live near Lake County which is said to be filled with newlyweds or nearly deads lol . I'm one of those people you'll find wearing long sleeves even in summer. I get chilled at around 76 degrees :D I love our cranes here in Central Florida. I have a family of five that visit me every day one of them is a new born chick so cute all orange yet.:)

    Stop by my blog for the A to Z :)
    http://gladiatorspen.blogspot.com

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    1. Those sandhill chicks are SO adorable! My mom reports that they currently have 2 babies visiting with their parent cranes in the backyard.

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  4. I live in a retirement community but we don't have any nice duck ponds like that. *sigh*


    Elizabeth

    A to Z co-host

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    1. That's more of a gator pond! There's plenty of them in there!

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  5. I grew up in Florida. Hot, hot, hot. I think that's why the setting is so perfect for demons in my young adult book, Rise from Darkness. I mean, how much closer can you get to the fires? :)

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    1. Hot is right! I can get a sunburn there in ten minutes flat in the worst of the summer!

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