Florida Dreaming

Have you ever had a dream that you thought might just end up being a bucket list thing if you’re fortunate yet somehow miraculously it comes to pass early?  We had something like this come true.  We had dreamed of visiting our relatives in Florida for some time.  It has been nearly fifteen years since we’d last seen them in the Philippines but now they are in Florida.  Lovely and I had discussed going there and even hoped to bring our daughter who just graduated for a visit.  Miracles do happen…this thing is certifiable.  Many have prayed with us and supported us to make this happen and I’m eternally grateful…foremost however my thanks go to God.  Upon arrival to Florida I find the usual fascination with palm trees.  I’ve seen them before in fact I’ve lived in the tropics but it’s been awhile.  We went to a wonderful beach for a picnic with our family.  The nice thing about this place was it had nice covered picnic areas where you could get some relief from the sun…and plenty of foliage.  It was a slight walk to the beach after that.  My goodness I’ve missed the ocean.  The day was so bright and sunny, just perfect for the beach!  My wife and daughter posed for a few pictures before we went on with our day…this is a far cry from Montana!  I love flowers and though these are like grass here they are so beautiful and new to me.  There is a beauty to climates like this that is unbeatable.  The kids spent some time flying a kite…the breeze off the ocean provided a perfect climate for this.  Gabby and her cousins whom she’d never met before enjoyed their time on the playground.  I stopped her for a moment and snapped a quick picture.  They had great equipment in this area…I decided to try and be a little creative…well, at least I tried.  Whew, hot day but oh so beautiful.  We began to see the sea gulls move in to beg as we began to barbecue.  We being the silly tourists we were fed them a bit.  Suddenly we were very popular with the local population…of birds.  Next we moved on down the beach where Gabby and her cousins Miles and Vince paused before heading back to the water.  Oh how I love the beaches of Florida.  The hot sun made having a beach umbrella essential.  We finally decided it was time to head home and as we went this fellow decided to pose for me.  Like palm trees these birds are common in Florida but new to me so I made them my subject.  It was a fantastic first day filled with wonderful reunions, terrific food and amazing Florida scenery. 

About to Take Flight

We had another wet cool downbut the birds don’t seem to care whether it’s coming or going…they are still out there singing their hearts out.  I have to admit that I’m glad to see the cold on its way out for a while at least.  We bought a few flowers…let’s pray they escape the curse of my notoriously black thumb.  Potted gardens seem to be our best bet…if nothing else it’s nice for now.  If only these things flourished as well as the wild stuff in the field.  Out there everything seems very hearty and self reliant.  I love the sights and sounds of the pond.  There are frogs that relentlessly croak away but I’ve yet to catch a glimpse of them in the tall grass.  The ditch has been quite high with all the moisture recently.  The pastoral fields beyond beckon with quite beauty.  Birds of a handful of varieties chirp the day away.  Simple Montana bouquets flourish here and therewhile we are like these dandelion seeds …almost ready to take flight to Florida come Monday morning.