I’m a New Englander. I was born here, in Wareham, Massachusetts. I spent the first 20 years of my life in Falmouth, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. When I was in my early 20’s I moved to New Hampshire with my first husband, and lived here until I was in my late 30’s. At that point Hubby and I thought that perhaps Southern Florida would be a nice place to retire, and once we sold our home here, we moved to a beautiful home in Punta Gorda.
We lived there, quite happily for 6 years, until I reached the point of not being able to handle the Florida “seasons”. You see, in Florida it is almost always HOT. Not only that, but the humidity is tropical and that will just kill you.
We had a small yard and I decided that I could mow the lawn and tan at the same time. In order to do this I would wear my bathing suit, a hat, drink a six pack of diet iced tea and top it all off by jumping in our pool to cool off. The mowing took me one hour and was done every 5-8 days.
I also learned during this time that Florida had several other “seasons” which one must learn to handle. Besides the “HOT” season, you have the “Rainy” season. There is also “Fire” season and “Tornado” season and “Hurricane” season.
It got to be that I felt I was constantly fearing one of those “seasons” with little to no break.
This girl needed to come home.
So Hubby and I sold our home and we drove our motor coach up north, built our house and have been here since 1999.
Today we have had tropical humidity, which led to terrible storms. I mean terrible. Just south of here it appears we have had a “Tornado”. Many homes are damaged and there is a report of one fatality.
So I ask, is there really any place that is perfectly safe to live?
I think not.
Perhaps the best one can do is find a place that you love, and enjoy what you do have.
For this New England girl, it’s the mountains and the oceans and the four wonderful seasons known as Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall!
This is a great post, for this Florida gal. I guess since I grew up there and my dad is very nature loving, I actually love those season -as long as they don’t hit inhabited areas. The new growth that takes place afterwards is like witnessing a miracle. hmm, makes me miss it a little.
So sorry to hear about your ‘neighbors’. But I’m very glad you found home again.
Me too! I love each season! Wouldn’t want to leave New England!
I’m off to the store and then home to get ready for vacation, Yippee! Love YOU, Mel
“You see, in Florida it is almost always HOT. Not only that, but the humidity is tropical and that will just kill you.”
Gosh, I *hope* not!
Seeing as we are packing up our house in the 4-season locale of Ohio and moving to Florida very shortly.
People have warned us about the heat. And the humidity. And the hurricanes. And we’re ready to try it. Knowing full well that we can always come “home” if we hate it there.
Although if that’s the case, I’ll be really ticked I gave away our snowblower!
I do like the seasons, but I love perfectly warm weather – but not too humid. I’m glad you’ve found the perfect place for you.
No place is perfectly safe, and the climate seems to be changing. I was shocked when the tornadoes came to NY, and I am afraid of lightning….but some places are better than others, and Massachusetts is one of the safer places in the world. Just remember you could have been born in Somalia, Chad, or Ethiopia…its all relative you know.
I dO like seasons… not soooo much winter – you have TOO much winter up there in North Country! I’m much more a Summer Girl … but Florida really has TOO much summer. Maryland seems to have a good amount of summer and not too much winter. The problem HERE is that we really don’t get enough Rainy season or Hurricane Season … we only get a hurricane maybe once every 3 or 4 years – and usually only the outer edges or tail end of it. We have been getting a few more tornadoes in recent years. But I don’t care AS MUCH for them… I can do without Fire season altogether … and thankfully we don’t have that one either! The problem for ME is that I am BORED here and want to be ELSEWHERE. *sigh* Lucky you to be content with HOME!
I am putting your friend in my prayers. Sometimes God uses these times in a person’s life to draw them to Him. I’m praying for THAT in her life!
I do agree with you. That’s why I’m always bragging about the significant four seasons in Norway, but the I talk about winter, spring, summmer and fall.
I so much remember the first (and so far) time at Cape Cod. It was like a honeymoon trip with my becoming wife who now lives with me in Norway. A beautiful place and we where there in the fall when you really feel the ocean and the nature so close and lively!