Is it Winter in New York Yet?

I am sitting here looking out the window at a lovely yellow blossom swaying against a green leafy backdrop.  Yes, it is November 10th and the grass is green.  I am in Florida.  My sister and I purchased a mobile home together in the spring.  I am here trying on this snowbird thing for size.  Snowbirds are defined as people who come to Florida for the winter.  They usually stay until April and then they migrate back to the north once the threat of snow is past. 
Now, when I say that I am trying it on for size...I mean it.  I miss my little cottage, friends, and family more than I thought I would.  Although in all honesty I did tell my close friend, the zucchini lady, that if I made it through a whole month I would be surprised.  She had laughed at me predicting that when I heard about all the snow that they would be getting in western New York I would stay right here in Florida. 

Well, on October 29th, a freak snowstorm hit the northeast wreaking great havoc.  I cringed when I saw the news reports and made a beeline for the telephone.  What a relief to hear that western New York state had been spared!   I wondered if my furnace would come back on after a power outage...hmmm.  The papers announced that 2 million people were without power for days. 

My feelings of boredom seemed very childish when confronted with the shoveler above.   I made a mental note to get out a little more...  I haven't really given this place a chance, you know what I mean?  This whole snow storm before Hallowe'en was just so wrong!

Today is November 10th and the northeast has come out from under the effects of the storm.  The sun is shining here with a cold front moving in that will drop the temperature down in the 40s at night.  The winds will pick up causing waves on the bay from 3 to 5 feet...no odds to me since I don't have a boat and I won't be trying out my water wings. 

I have found a beach cruiser activity group that get together to go places.  Wonder if I could get one of those bikes soon?  Not in the budget...wonder if I could barter transcription or word processing for one? 

Plan B? I have googled a volksmarch group called http://suncoastsandpipers.org/  and I have been added to their mailing list.  Do you remember Pallidin?  Well this is "Have running shoes, will travel".  No beach cruiser needed.

I still miss my grandkids and wish they were coming down to visit me.  I have calculated just how much gas I would need to go up to see them at least six times since I got here.  They live in Huntsville, Ontario.  I have to remind myself that they just lit the woodstove for the first time the end of October.  So...if I were to get in the van and head up to see them I might be up to my neck in snow once I got north of Toronto.  So...I comfort myself by cruising the Christmas candy aisle at WalMart...checking out the items that I might be sending up in a parcel.  Just in case, you know.  I busy myself figuring just how long it would take Canada Post to get the parcel up to the little ones in the Great White North.

Sign me, trying this Snowbird thing on for size in Florida, M

P.S.  This little guy keeps following me around...hmmm.