I didn't write a daily journal while in Florida during the month of May. However, a few days I did.
Here's one that I found time for;


Original picture by Blogsterella

Monday, May 19th, 2008

It's very early morning here as I sit outside my little apartment and practice my morning meds (mediations).
The sun is peeking up across the road between the palms and 2 story walk-ups and just beyond that, lies the ocean.
This is no breeze, yet I can smell the smoke from the fires that are burning south of here, near Miami, in the everglades.
People will be more aware of this whenever the wind currents move in this direction or until the fires burn out.
It might be awhile.
I find myself wondering how fire could live so long in the wetlands and if this ever happens in the peat bogs of Ireland.
The warbling bird that first greeted me upon my arrival here (I've since learned that it's a mockingbird), is my only company.
My sister-in-law Cheryl (who spend a week with me)and I, marvelled at how this small bird could start his song so early and contine almost non-stop until late evening.


Mockingbird // Blogsterella

I've recognized blue jays, starlings,grackles, pelicans, pidgeons, sandpipers, and sand doves. But some are unfamiliar to me.
The songs of the familiar birds are different here. I guess the local lingo is different from their cousins up north.
Something I've noticed is the absence of seagulls. I've seen only 3 on the beach in the 2 weeks that I've been here. And maybe that's a good thing since they're scavenger birds and the beach here is pristeen.
Only pelicans are plentiful. Sandpipers and lots of pidgeons beach comb and remind me of fat little grey chickens as they peck and stratch in the sand.
The traffic has just begun - still only a few go by - it's still early morning.
Dedicated walkers and cyclists are starting to emerge to get in their daily dose before it gets too hot.
Sitting here and feeling slightly "other worldly," I can already feel the tropical sun on my skin.
I still have another 2 glorious weeks to soak all of this in.
Slightly overwhelming but wonderful, wonderful.
Party on xxx