XMAS PAST

Ever since my Father died -- about 20 years ago -- each Christmas I go to Florida to spend the holiday with my Mother. I fly to Orlando & then rent a car to drive the remaining 60+ miles to Wildwood, Florida, where Mom lives in Parkwood Oaks, a "55+ Community".

Christmas in Florida is different. Never a chance for a "White Christmas". Maybe rain & "cool" temperatures -- got 50 degrees ?? But, not the need for ice scrapers or salting anything other than food. The roads are drivable, even if full of "Blue Hairs" & constant turn signals.

A lot of people from the North -- Canada included -- spend their Winter months in Florida. They are the "Snow Birds". The traffic on the roads changes with the seasons. Winter can be hectic & congested.

People in Florida like to decorate their homes for Christmas. Lots of displays, colored lights & music playing from hidden speakers. I like to take a walk at night to admire their efforts. Very seasonal.

With the warmer weather in Florida, my Mother & her neighbors have the ability to garden just about all year round. What we have as "house plants", grow outside all year. Sometimes, when colder weather comes along -- think 30's -- the plants get covered up at night.

My Mother has several large palm trees. A few years years ago, I attached a Staghorn Fern to the palm in the front yard. It has now grown large enough to almost circle the tree. This is how these ferns grow in nature, attached to trees ... just not where it freezes.


My Mother, next to the front palm tree, is bundled up in two sweaters & a jacket, fighting the bitterly cold 60 degree temperatures. [Full time living in Florida, thins the blood.]

In the backyard, is another Staghorn. This one I started in a wire basket, hanging from one of the awnings of Mom's place. It grew so large it had to be moved to a tree, where it is hanging from a limb & has a large flower pot under it, for added support & to not break the tree limb. This fern is too large to move now. But, it just keeps growing.

Being Florida, Mom also grows her own oranges on a tree she planted. Nothing like picking your own -- really fresh -- fruit. Neighbors "share" their fruit with each other, as some grow grapefruits & lemons as well.

This past Christmas trip had some "visitors" appear in the backyard, but not to pick oranges. These are Sandhill Cranes, which came several days to sample the food put out for the smaller birds, [the cranes were 4-5 foot tall] & some treats intended for squirrels. The cranes were very regal & mellow, & seemingly not afraid of humans. The birds knew where the handouts were.

Whatever the time of year, it is always enjoyable to visit my Mother in Florida. At Christmas, it now seems "normal" to have the pleasant weather & be outside each day in a T-shirt & shorts, rather than fighting the cold weather. The "Spirit of Christmas" is still there, it is just easier to enjoy.

As I sat in the Orlando airport waiting for my flight home on Christmas day, I admired the large tree in the center of the concourse & thought to myself ... "MERRY XMAS & let others have the WHITE Christmas".