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You are here: Home / Podcast Episodes / Snow Birds

Snow Birds

Snow Birds
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Backstory  

It takes a lot of planning and logistics to leave your primary residence for two or three months and live elsewhere – even if the elsewhere offers warm breezes and sunlit skies.   It was a big decision to make and here’s the dilemma that we faced.

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Snow Birds –  #187

This year, we wintered in Florida.  We left our permanent residence behind and rented someone else’s home for the two coldest months of the year. The sun shown daily and the dress of the day was shirtsleeves.  It was wonderful.

I’m still trying to come to terms with becoming part of the great exodus southward.  They call us snow birds. 

Actually, it’s the natural things to do, just as the birds do.  It makes sense to remove your body from the environment  where it will shiver and ache as the cold wind blows.

And yet I felt that I had abandoned my place in life by taking the easy way out.  Perhaps I would have been made stronger or smarter or more resilient if I stayed in my snow-swept home. 

Would Valentine’s Day have been more romantic up here?  Would the St. Patrick’s Day beer have been greener? 

To my neighbors and friend back here, I apologize for not donning my boots and wool-lined gloves, For never scrapping ice from my windshield.

For not being able to join in the myriad of complaints about the road conditions and the salting crews and the electrical lines down.

But you know what?  Next year . . . I’m heading south again!

P.S.   

We’ve wintered in St Augustine, Tampa and The Villages.  Looks like we’ll experience Sarasota next.  What is your favorite Florida winter get away site?

[Show #187]

Filed Under: Getting Older, Lifestyle, Podcast Episodes Tagged With: Florida, snow birds, winter

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gretchen Smith-Klainer says

    February 20, 2019 at

    This northerner will miss you till the lilies bloom in the spring. SO glad to still hear your sweet voice, my lovely lady of the valley. Gretchen Smith-Klainer

    Reply
  2. Gary Blessington says

    February 17, 2019 at

    Hello, Annette. – Met you many years ago (I believe).
    I was with Marianne Milian at the time. We are still good friends and she forwarded me your “stuff.” –

    If you are going to visit Sarasota, FL, I recommend that you take a peek at the “Co-Op” called “Sarasota Lakes Resort.” – It’s online if you want a quick look.

    I have lived there (Snow Bird style) since 2004/5 (winter). – I bought there in March of 2005. – I have been very happy with that choice. – AND, Marianne visited there with me some times.

    Reply
  3. Dan Dobson says

    February 17, 2019 at

    My favorite Florida getaway? Arizona, thank you!!! LOL

    Reply
  4. Jill Martineau Cornish says

    February 17, 2019 at

    I leave for Miami on Saturday for a few days with my son. We plan to see some preseason baseball and eat some ethnic food. I am going to the arboretum and might spend a couple of hours with some old friends. A very much needed few days away from the cold. And I ALWAYS enjoy being with my adult “kids.”

    Reply
  5. Cathie Taylor says

    February 17, 2019 at

    Enjoy your time in Florida. My parents did that as well. We have had a warm winter here though, with very little snow and ice. See you when All the snowbirds fly north! Hugs

    Reply

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