Christmas and SNOW!!

So, yeah -- lots of snow over Dec. 24th and 25th. About 24" total, and ALL of it very wet, very heavy and sticky. Perfect for building snowmen, but the pits where roads and shovelling and plowing are concerned. However, some great photos are possible. Unfortunately, I only had some so-so ones, but I'll share them anyway.


This was one of the last ones taken - had a lovely blue-sky time so the sun played up the scene nicely. Other ones showed lots of snow, but they almost look like old-timey photos when black-and-white were the only photos possible.


This is taken during the heart of all the falling snows -- has that very greyed-down look, and the falling snow is very obvious. Yes, I agree that it was attractive. But driving on so many washer-board-surfaced roads is not fun. The wet snow packed down onto the paved roads long before the plows could attempt any clearing. And remember that many plow operators were not gung-ho to get out there (even WITH overtime pay) on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.



It was snowing pretty heavily when this was taken - I think it was early afternoon of the 25th.



Taken towards the same general area as the proceeding photo, but without the heavily-falling snow. Maybe on the 23rd or a few days before that. But the snow had already made its presence known. Winter was here to STAY for the season.

But... it was a good holiday, and we tried to see both sides of the family as much as we could. My family likes him, and his family seems to like me, as well. A few days after our return to Florida, he helped his daughter get set up with Skype. It was fun to see them that first time -- the 7-year-old and 9-year-old were all, "Hi, Grandpa!" and also wanted to see me in the frame. But then they were very typical boys of that age, making all sorts of faces that they could see in their small set-in frame on their laptop monitor. We just laughed and laughed at that. It makes the miles between us seem less distant.

Now... that nearly nationwide cold snap is hitting us down here, too. Ugh. It can leave anytime it wants to! But... it seems that it will hang around for the next week, and MAY leave around next Wednesday. I know... it could be worse - and we could be shoveling that white stuff or dealing with much colder temps. Sorry, my northern readers. I know that it is much better here, as far as temps go.

Oh -- we had a low-key New Year's Eve party at the clubhouse here. Bring a snack and BYOB. Most were just there for the socializing, and that made it fun. Drinking and no driving. Perfect.

Happy New Year to all. And happy birthday, Dad - I hope you and your siblings are having a fun time up there, playing cards with the other ancestors who proceeded you. That must be one heckuva game - pinochle or cribbage or ?? Love ya.

LOL - and Christmas lights

LOL does NOT refer to the usual "laugh out loud" -- which is a phrase that I absolutely hate, since so many folks use it ad nauseum, ad infinitum. Please -- just say it made you laugh, made you smile. I can show you many blogs, many e-mails, where the writer uses this phrase too, TOO frequently.

So -- I am here to tell you, that in THESE parts, LOL is a shorthand reference to Land O Lakes -- an actual city's name in this area. Some of the street signs say LOL Rd (or is it Blvd?) -- this is actually 41 (US 41 or SR 41), part of it called Land O Lakes as it meanders in this region.

Also wanted you to see the Symphony in Lights that we saw Monday night. This is at a shopping center called Wiregrass Shops. Five trees were involved in this display. Although the video cannot do it justice, the tallest tree was just about 3 stories high, and the two trees on EACH side were stepping-stone smaller. (Note the real palm trees behind these artificial trees.) The music was from Trans Siberian Orchestra and was of course synchronized with the light display.



It was a beautiful evening, and we went there by motorcycle. I am not sure if this particular video shows folks in jackets, but there were several videos to choose from. It was definitely shirt-sleeve weather. And this video might have been from last year (I think). On the way back to the RV park, we stopped at Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins. Some got coffee and donuts, some ice cream. An interesting restaurant combo... Or junk-food combo, probably a better description! I had the plain ol' chocolate ice cream, in case you are curious. But... BUT - I did not have any dinner, just a bowl of soup for lunch. I am just sayin'.

Gonna wind up this post, since L's back from the morning coffee/gossip session that the guys in the RV park have on weekday mornings. A good way to find out what's goin' on in this little neighborhood! And it gives me a few moments alone, which is NOT a bad thing, when we share this tiny "home".