We Know

Yes, we know. We know why we’re here. It is now, I guess, that we wait for all year long – when the sky is blue, the temperatures are in the low 80s and the humidity isn’t much. Never mind that, come June, the temperatures will be in the 90s every day and will remain that way until November. Never mind that the humidity is off the charts. Never mind that there are thunderstorms nearly every afternoon.

We cope, and we do that the way northerners do in winter. Through avoidance. We stay inside when it’s too uncomfortable outside. We do our errands when it isn’t so hot. If we walk for fitness, we do that as soon as it gets light. The same goes for yard work. Do it earlier, and there are pesky mosquitoes. We have air conditioning in our cars and in our houses. Every shopping foray is to an air-conditioned place. So we get along just fine, and we stay here because of January, February, March and April.

Bokeelia, FL Winn-Dixie Plaza in March

I have to admit that January and even parts of February can be cold, at least by our standards – 40s at night and only in the 60s in the daytime. We drag out the sweaters – and sometimes more than one.

This year, northerners have been brutalized by winter, and they are escaping in droves. I believe half of New York State is here. Ditto Michigan. I’ve never seen the roads so congested. Although we grouse some, we are happy to share our secret.

P.S. My book, Goat Water Is Not What You Think, about our years on Montserrat and the volcano, is selling well. To get your copy, e-mail Hawthorne Publishing at www.hawthornepub.com or visit the usual online sources.