Florida By The Numbers

Time flies. Time drags. 

How's it been in your corner of the world over the past year-plus?

The three months we spend in Florida don't exactly speed by, however the days don't drag, either.  For me, the ability to be outside daily makes it pretty close to perfect.  Windows--open.  I'm not a fan of air conditioning and we haven't turned it on once over the past ninety days.  A good segue to Florida 2021, by the numbers.

Number of rainy days--can be counted on two hands.  According to the meteorologists on the local television stations, who froth over rain in similar manner to how Minnesota meteorologists salivate over snow, 2021 has been a rainier, cooler winter/spring than normal--if we even know what normal is anymore.  I will say I would agree with their observation based on our previous extended stays here.

Number of loads of laundry done--at least 120, as marked by emptying a 120 sheet box of Publix dryer sheets.

Number of Publix runs--too many to calculate, especially while we had company.  There's always something you need from Publix, yes?  Rhetorical question.

Number of Publix shopped at--three.  There is my Publix (over the Belleair Beach Causeway bridge); the Highland Road Publix (on the way to/from the Y, also the site of where I made the gross error of thinking the car would update in the advertised ten minutes); the Pinellas Shopping Center Publix.  I really prefer my Publix.

Number of times we went onto the Publix website to book our COVID-19 vaccines: 5.

Number of browser windows we had open when we finally were able to book: 4.

Number of days we were on the beach: 90 or every day.  Even if it rained, the skies dried up sufficiently for a stroll on the beach.

Number of sunsets viewed: there were cloudy evenings that prevented us from seeing the sunset, but pretty much we were hanging out with the other snowbirds in our complex, adult beverages in hand, every night.  There was plenty of laughter, genial conversation, information swapping--which would stop midstream as the sun was setting because it is simply and complexly a majestic site, every single time.

Number of sunrises viewed: we're on the west coast, so none.  Oh, who am I trying to kid.  Even if we were on the east coast, the answer, on my part, would still be none.

Number of visitors/company: 4 adults, ages 55+; 14 adults, ages 30-50; 8 children, ages 5 and under; 6 children, ages 6-13.  Not all at the same time.

Number of times I was asked, "Grandma, can I tell you something?":a bazillion. Mayhaps a bazillion and one.

Numbers of times I answered, "Of course!" :a bazillion.  Mayhaps a bazillion and one.

Number of containers of spray sunscreen we went through: let's just say next year I'll look into buying it bulk.

Number of Florida tourist attractions we supported financially: 3.  Universal Studios, Kennedy Space Center, St. Augustine.

Number of times we ate out, before and after being vaccinated: I'm counting them primarily on one hand, moving over to but not completely utilizing the second hand.  We're not big out to eaters anyway, but seldom thought about this as an option.

Number of recipes used from Ina Garten's Modern Comfort Food Cookbook, which was a birthday gift: I'll list them for you, so you can look them up.

  1. Frozen palomas
  2. Pomegranate gimlets
  3. Tuscan turkey roulade
  4. Lemon orzo with feta
  5. Cheesy chicken enchiladas
  6. Shrimp and linguine fra diavolo
  7. Fresh crab and pea risotto
  8. Arrabbiata sauce
Highly recommend that cookbook.  I'm calling it responsible for my weight gain, which working out and beach walks did nothing to prevent.  That and the ridiculously delicious bread from Publix.  More than one shopping trip was followed by loading a slice of still warm from the oven Publix bread, preferably seeded rye, with Boar's Head meat.

Number of different types of shells collected: pretty sure it's 20.

Number of different sea birds identified:  I'll list them for you
  1. Great Blue Heron
  2. White Heron
  3. Egret
  4. Ibis
  5. Plover
  6. Sandpiper
  7. Herring Gull
  8. Laughing Gull
  9. Tern
  10. Black Skimmer
  11. Cormorants
  12. Brown pelican
  13. Osprey

Number of days I said to myself, "How did I get to be so blessed?"
Every day.


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