Sunny Afternoon

I have been outside more than usual lately which is definitely a good thing. I have noticed a lot of birds in my yard and around the neighborhood. When it was 40 degrees out the robins started showing up one here two there,now they are out in full force. I remember with fondness the first time I ever saw a robin. I was around nine or ten and was chattering away to my great aunt Rena while we walked along the red clay road leading out of her summer place on the lake and she touched my arm and I looked up at her and she pointed and said "Robin". I followed her gaze and ther on the ground just under a canopy of branches was a big fat bird with a breast the color of red rust. The bird almost blended in with the color of the clay. It is a cherished moment. I felt special because I knew my Aunt had taken the time to teach me something about nature and in that moment I knew she cared about and respected me as an individual not just a child. Later,she would pass along the names of the different wild blueberries. I remember my great grandmother telling me the name of a blackeyed susan when I asked. I thought it was very special that all the women in my family knew the names of the wildflowers,that's why I took horticulture in college. I should have taken courses in park naturalist instead,that would have been more dear to my heart because I could have studied indigenous flora and fauna instead of cultivated plants.

I've noticed recently that I have been enjoying nature with a keener eye and a renewed appreciation,perhaps the effexor is working. I've already seen everyting so none of it is new but I like the way the live oak leaves look after they have fallen from the trees,they are kind of shiny and bright. I like the way the lob-lolly pines look at night,with the flood lights of the ballpark reflecting off of their leaves they look kind of furry and silvery-soft. My azaleas are begining to bloom and the Carolina yellow Jessamine on the front fence has flowers all over it.

On my mile walk I enjoy a Canadian red-tip tree in purple bloom,that's a sure sign that spring is on it's way. I also get to enjoy a yard full of rabbits and right next door to it some pure breed bloodhounds and in another yard a miniature doberman pincher. There is also an angora cat who loves to listen to me say how pretty it is. It rolls around on the side of the road while I praise it. I saw a dogwood tree with closed buds,too early for it to bloom but if the temperature stays like this-73 degrees it sure will soon enough. It is supposed to be in the 60's right now. It seems to get warmer and warmer sooner each year and without enough rainfall-global warming I guess.

I still say the best beach in Florida is at Amelia island in park land called Little Talbot Island. It is the best un-spoiled natural shore line that you can find without condominiums or hotels. It has gorgeous white sand beaches and sand dunes with native vegetation and the occassional gopher turtle. It only costs three dollars per person and they have dressing houses and toilet facilities and places to barbeque,and showers.

I've been rambling on like some kind of tour guide,expounding on the best parts of Jacksonville. I would miss it if I left to live in Washington state. Not that Washington doesn't have it's finer points,particularly that one can live in a quite suburb,and not be too far from the city and the deep wilderness with it's lush green forests and mountains and valley's.