A little drama in our week!

Our kids have gone back home, but we do have great memories and some photos to help us remember. Yes, this big guy was in our backyard the last day the grandchildren were here and they enjoyed the excitement. He was not as shy as previous gators visiting. In fact as the guys were fishing in the pond, The Trout grabbed Rachel's 'Princess Fishing Rod' and he actually chomped down on the bobber and The Trout was holding on as the rod was bending. No, he was not reeled in. He broke the line. Luckily. Alligators are common in Florida, but when they are in the backyard, they can be a nuisance. You can be arrested for harassing these creatures and you can have the gator patrol come in and remove them, but only if they are posing a danger for you. They need to be quite large before they are removed. Just one of those creatures where we have invaded their home.

We went down to Lake Morton and watched the geese blocking traffic as they wobbled back and forth across the road. Locals are used to the disruption.

Erika, Rachel and Josh feeding the swans.

The kids had two days at Disney and a visit to the Atlantic and to the Gulf to enjoy the beaches. Lots of shells and beach sand to take to their friends in school. The visits go very quickly, but we are so glad we are able to enjoy them together.

Smile!

Well, what do you think? Mr. Swan does not have a happy face. It is understandable. He is freezing, still, like most of Florida. The weather is just too unhappy around here. Very strange. But, there is hope in the near future. Finally, the 70's, which it should have been for the last 6 or 8 weeks, will arrive by Sunday.

I know, I know, anyone north of Atlanta thinks we are wimps. This part of the country is full of outdoor activities and when we can't participate because of the cold, we cry...a lot. More books are being read, more knitting, more TV and more computer time. Oh, yes, I also got that dreaded closet cleaned out, so all that is good.

To change the subject, I watched the 'germ' report yesterday and this morning on the "Today Show." It was shocking! In case you missed it, they focused on those bath tub toys that kids play with. You know the kind, with a squeaker that they fill up with bath water and then spray at each other, drink, and chew on. Well, they have been cut open to find black slimy something or other growing in there and when tested, the germs are over the top. Do not give these to a child. Only the toys without openings are allowed and then, clean with bleach often.

Then this morning, they checked for germs on rental cars. The steering wheel and shift were covered with germs including staph. Just makes you want to stay home and read and knit, doesn't it? WAIT...that's all I have been doing. Time to carry disinfectant wipes everywhere, I guess. How come we ate dirt as kids and never got sick?