Another Hiatus

 It's that time again...

 As March draws to a close, memories of 2020 are a reminder of simpler times in SWFL. One year ago, the world came to a halt as Covid19 threatened global health. Lockdowns were initiated and many took to the outdoors for fresh air and exercise. Not a whole lot has changed in that regard. People are healthier than a year ago, with positive steps taken to curb the spread of viruses in general. We are still trying to make the most of restricted times by enjoying this beautiful weather and all the nature available for viewing in the area. The Everglades provide myriad venues for exploring. We visited Big Cypress Bend for a fun adventure in the wild this month. I'm taking a break from the bicycle during this peak, crowded season and will resume when the snowbirds head out. The Island Country Club is preparing for a multi-million dollar renovation beginning in April. To celebrate, they hosted a fun party featuring the famed SWFL Ben Allen Band. It was a good time. The Marco Island Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary's educational outreach program resumed this spring and, as a volunteer, I helped educate the younger school children in the area on conservation and the amazing bald eagle. Finally, the family started playing tennis!! Can't wait to see what fun April brings. 

A Spectacular Season

The fabulous winter weather continues. It's great to spend so much time outside exercising and dining in perfect temperatures. Still staying so close to home, improvements and beautification efforts continue around the house. The camper is finally out of the shop; ready and waiting for our next departure. I had a 164 yard drive at Island Country Club on Friday. A personal best. Life is good.

Bill seems to have turned a corner this week with improved vision, stabilizing pressure and assurances from the doctor to partake in more activities. He is now fully vaccinated from Covid19 and feeling relieved as a result. Many friends and neighbors are getting the vaccine and feeling empowered to do more socializing. We enjoyed Patty and Mike's visit mid-month and Maggie and Kevin's at the end of February. There are lots of people in the area. Covid has convinced many people to secure full-time residency in SWFL. NY, NJ and other states up north are still in serious coronavirus lock-downs, while FL is wide open. It's crazy busy here and the real estate market is on fire with activity. Home values have soared across the state. 

Our Little Corner of Normalcy

 

Working around the Blogger platform in order to post more pictures on each blog post, I decided to experiment with a little slideshow movie. You can enlarge the movie by clicking on the "full screen" icon inside the box on the lower right.

We've been spending a lot of time at home these days, which means lots of meal prep. Bill has been absolutely ravaged on a temporary medicine to control the soaring glaucoma pressure in his eye. It was a hardship we both endured for a few weeks while waiting for a permanent surgical solution. Now, eye-patched and mending, life is getting somewhat back to Covid normal. In fact, Bill was a lucky recipient of the first Moderna vaccine injection. We drove to Miami. The second, and final shot, is coming up mid-month. 

Luckily, February started out on a high note with electrical enhancements around the house nearing completion. We now have some fun outdoor lighting on the lanai and the abutting landscape near the canal. We modernized and repaired some indoor components, too. 

The winter in SWFL has been the best yet. Perfect day and night temperatures. It feels like a real season rather than a continuation of summer as in past years. The kids up north are getting clobbered with back-to-back snow storms this month. 

We're still living in a political nightmare, as divisive and unpleasant as ever. Fears of Covid still dictate decisions over our lives. Florida has been operating pretty close to normal, but there are plenty of states still under serious controls. The repercussions from continued lockdowns are mounting and taking a toll on civilization. 

The Arranged Presidency: New and Old

 

Lots of bad karma out there these days

And so it begins, like an arranged marriage, a sigh of relief has been expended and the union is confirmed. It was not passionately sought after, nor won, by the individual, but arranged by political collaboration. Joe Biden, the 46th President of the US, was sworn into office on Wednesday. All but approximately 75 million voters were absolutely thrilled. The media is back to fawning covering important news, such as, bringing American fashion designers back into the White House and of course, those darling Biden grandchildren. Reporters are once again asking hard-hitting questions about, among other irrelevant news, the family dog and the artwork selected in the Oval Office. No questions were asked about the 15 executive orders signed by the new president on his first day in office.  

Granted, President Trump asked for much of the unfavorable treatment he received throughout his term. While he has been publicly shamed and badly ridiculed for four years, he has been increasingly berated and alienated since the riots at the Capitol on January 6th. There has been no pretense of civility or decorum, just incessant scorn, contempt and distain since, what many believe, the fabricated and prearranged civil unrest in DC. 

During his last days in office, the House voted to impeach President Trump again. This time for his role in inciting a riot at the Capitol; the final and ultimate disgrace and demise of this vastly hated public servant. In fact, there is a movement to erase Trump's presidency all together. The media greatly assisted in disseminating the vilification of Trump and cancelling his existence, past and present. There is a frightening double standard, which is obvious to anyone who cares to explore our recent history of unrest. 

The fabrication of an insurrection story at the Capitol is a fascinating collaboration that will no doubt join the ranks of great American conspiracy theories for years to come. Add Covid 19, voter fraud and censorship to the mix and we have the perfect arrangement for a political win. 

New Year, New BS

 

Photo from Slate.com

For those who were feeling optimistic about 2021, um, perhaps 2022 will be your year. Haha. It's been another wild week in politics with the electoral certification of the general election taking place on Wednesday. Joe Biden was officially confirmed as the next president of the US. By way of brief background, a "Stop the Steal" protest march in DC was planned weeks ago to coincide with the certification. Disenchanted voters were encouraged to voice concerns over the election fraud, which allegedly took place within a handful of critical states, thus giving the winning edge to Biden. Wednesday's protest culminated with pro-Trump imposters storming the Capitol and mob behavior ensued. 

It appears as if the GOP was set-up by the usual players: Democrats, Antifa, media, Capitol Police and who the f*ck else knows, for their narrative's grand finale. Washington may have intentionally failed to protect US citizens and secure DC property. For the first time this year, the media used the word "rioters." Meanwhile, half of the country's cities have been burning for months by the media's description of "protesters." Facebook and Twitter have shut down POTUS from engaging on their platforms "indefinitely." Plenty of people have turned on Trump and want him out of office NOW. Too bad the coup had to take four years. Ugh. I'm just appalled at the censoring, the double-standard, the spin, the hate and the incessant negativity.