FLORIDA SEASONS

 

 Up north there are four seasons in a year…a fact that cannot be debated.

In Florida, however, those four season are more subtle and understated.

In fact, the seasons come to Florida in a kind of disarray…

It is possible for us to experience all four season in one day

We have no snow…our leaves don’t change color…most of them stay green

but take a walk with nature in March and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

Morning are still cool and breezy…a beautiful way for the day to begin…

but that same afternoon can be hot and humid…a sign that summer’s creeping in.

As you watch Spring and Summer duke it out…you realize…that’s not all

because every breeze in March encourages the oak tree’s leaves to fall.

You hear the wind from the safety of your house…upon your roof you hear a rain-like sound

because as the oak trees shed their leaves they are also raining pollen on the ground.

When rain mixes with the pollen on our houses, our cars and patios… it tends to make a mess

and though we love our oak trees…we curse their deciduousness.

At the same time of year the Oak Leaf Rollers show up…no that’s not a band

It’s the larvae of a brown moth…hanging from the oaks by a single silky strand.

It does’ t matter how carefully you walk…it really does’t matter what you do

 when you get home…there’s a good chance you’ve brought a few green worms with you.

And just as there will be a few days in March when the heat and humidity makes you sweat

we’ll also have a few cold days…it’s winter reminding us she’s not done with Florida yet.

So on a morning walk in March…it might be cold or breezy or there might be humidity in the air

you might be wearing shorts or coats and you’ll have worms crawling in your hair… 

All signs of how the season are more subtle here….how in Florida we find a way

to experience Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter…all in the course of a day.