A Quick Study

Here is what I have learned so far in my 1st week as a Floridian:

1. Rain is no joke. The weather forcasters say "There is a 50% chance of a shower or two this afternoon." What they really mean is: "There is a 50% chance that it will absolutely pour, the kind of raindrops that actually hurt, for short periods of time throughout the day. The painful rain will pop up when you least expect it and will reduce your vision to a mere 100 feet. After about 15 minutes the sun will shine and the birds will chirp as if nothing happened, you will remember it though because your hair will be approximately 4 inches from your scalp due to the increase in humidity." (I guess they just go with the condensed version).

2. Armadillos are the new groundhogs. I can't wait for Riggs to get sight of one of these things.

3. I must factor in at least an additional 10 minutes to my grocery store trips just to appease the elderly. Listen, there are a lot of old folks here, and I love old folks but not as much as old folks love babies. Luke gets approached by at least 4 old people on each trip. Luckily they don't try to touch him (he is not into being touched or held by anyone other than family) but they get in nice and close and comment on his cuteness and his gorgeous baby blues. So far Luke has made their day by smiling and practicing his waves, I figure it is the least we can do.

4. I was much better at catching spiders as they scurried across my kitchen floor at Arrowhead than I am chasing a little lizard around the house. That is right, the lizard is somewhere inside and has been for a few days now. Everytime Luke sees him he shouts "bug, bug!" but we have yet to catch him (I say "we" as if Luke is helping in the catching of this critter...chasing- yes, catching - no). We will have a name for the lizard shortly.

5. True locals and natives seem to think that jeans and 3/4 length sleeves are very appropriate for the 97 degree (109 degree heat index) temperatures. I actually heard a lady (under the age of 65) say to a friend (both clad in jeans - one with a 3/4 sleeve shirt and the other a cardigan!) "I always get a chill in the morning." Seriously?!?....the only time I go outside is in the morning or after the sun sets because it is too darn hot!! ...and I am wearing a tank top and a skirt.

6.There may be more frogs than people in FL. I have never seen so many frogs in my life. The rain brings them out and they are something to see. Luke is mezmorized by them and I don't blame him, the frogs coat our windows (today I counted 14 just on the window above the kitchen sink) and hop up and down the side of the house. Only one (that I know of ) made it inside and I humanely took him back out to the grass.

7. I think we will fit in here just fine.