Summer in Winter

I have mentioned several times about the unusual weather patterns that have been plaguing our area this year. It is close to the end of February and the last few days have given us spring like conditions.  I am very worried about our trees which are starting to bud for the third time and the leaves are opening and curling up. I can se real difficulties for the fruit growers if this trend continues,

Yesterday we had about an inch or two of snow on the ground and today we have no sign of snow because the temperature rose to well above freezing and light rain took away all signs of winter. The weather man tells us we have plenty of time left to have a winter but the forecast  is for continued warm and above seasonal temperatures.

Our little creek has run freely this week and with all the melting snow the runoff could cause real areas of draught. Normally we have a snow pack which provides needed ground water in the spring and this year we see none of this which is a real concern. Some of the vegetation which depends on snow for the protection of the new growth has already shown some abnormal damage and the golf courses are actually permitting a limited amount of playing in the end of February.

Nature has a way of balancing its needs so we will just have to wait and see if Mother Nature will take care of business and make all the problems disappear.

Punta Cana

Theresa and I  missed the week long winter weather while we took a short vacation to Punta Cana. Our weather was perfect and everything about our stay away was just right. I am always amazed at the hospitality shown to tourists in this region. Although the people speak Spanish they make every effort to converse with your every wish.

The local government has made tremendous strides over the past ten years in improving the info-structure of the Island . Because of the massive numbers of tourists choosing to visit this area the opportunity for the local people to gain steady employment has strengthened the overall economy. Tourism has become the major employer and care has been given to make sure that proper training has kept up with the demand for high end service.

The natural gifts of weather and sandy beaches have been utilized to the limit and care for the environment is a high priority. Every time we return we are more impressed with the positive changes.

Winter Plants

Theresa and I have large windows that give us a huge amount of sunshine in our family room. We have an aloevera plant that just grew and grew. After Xmas there was a sale of amaryllis plants and we bought one and it has been on our breakfast table ever since.It grows so quickly that it a topic of conversation every morning.
 The rest of our flowers are doing very well. I gave Theresa an or-acid for Mothers day and after the original offering we treated the plant as a celebrity and coaxed it back for blooming. Now it is beginning to give us a second showing and in another week we will have nine more bloom. This is great for the winter months when we cannot get our hands dirty in the garden.

Nature has it's many ways to keep us interested in the natural order of things. Every time we look around we see another facet of the beauty of the natural aspects of the earth and its mysteries. Just wonder at the magnificent beauty of a simple flower.

February 1 2016

Today is the first day of  February and it feels more like spring than Winter. We are actually half way through our traditional winter and we have spring conditions. My garlic is growing, some trees are showing their blossoms and our creek is flowing like it would in May.Our temperature yesterday hit 15 degrees and today it is almost that warm. The only signs of snow is one small bank where the snow removers store the snow from the roads and sidewalks.

Last year we had the coldest February for many a year but this year the forecast is not really so dismal and we can look forward to a milder winter and spring. Of course the weather can change and quickly so I do not want to put a jinx on the long range outlook.

Our golf courses have already put out a warning of their winter use of some of the local courses and we observed some hearty folk playing on one of our nearby courses. On Christmas some of the players used the course next door and never saw a flake of snow. Temporary greens are used and everyone seems happy to play a round or two in January and February. Global warming, climate change or just an anomaly

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Clubhouse Almost Finished

Our Village is building a clubhouse for the use of the residents and a facility to accommodate the many activities and clubs presently operating in homes or rented facilities. It is a beautiful structure with all the modern amenities expected by our residents. I am on the club management team and the seven members have the responsibility of overseeing the total activities which will use our facilities.

My main responsibility will be in the development and managing the pool hall and games room situated in the basement of this clubhouse. There will be an elevator to the lower section and with a room about 40 by 90 there will be adequate space for many activities. Many of the pieces of equipment have been donated and our biggest  challenge will be painting  the floor and providing a proper wall covering. I am really excited about this project and have a good team of volunteers to help make everything work.

New Railings for the Front Steps

Our front steps were not constructed exactly to code. I complained to the management and as a result a crew managed to make the necessary changes. I felt unsafe using the steps when there was snow or ice present so we had new handrails installed. I now have renewed confidence and they look good as well.

Birthdays

Th1s year I declared loud and clear that I was not going to celebrate my special day. My reasoning was that it was too close to Xmas and we just had wonderful family sharing of time. I wished to make point the point that next year will be my 80th and I wanted a party . Well the proclamation did impress my family and friends and I receive the greatest amount of happy B'days ever and actually I loved it.

I had no control about others felt and like the Tories during the last election I misread the manner in which we as a family celebrate special events. I thought that people looked at my most recent pictures and they felt they should make a statement now because maybe I won't be around to celebrate next year. At any rate I just wish to thank everyone for making my no party B'day one of the best ever.

I shall never again interfere with the natural order of things when it comes to family and friends traditions.