- Thursday, October 15, 2009
- Thursday, September 24, 2009
- Thursday, September 17, 2009
- Thursday, September 10, 2009
In case you've been too busy to notice, October has arrived and it's time for us to appreciate another fall in the tropics.
The temperature doesn't drop drastically, and we don't get to experience the aesthetically pleasing view of palm trees changing colors or the satisfaction that comes with raking leaf piles. As a matter of fact, in the Keys, fall sneaks right past summer and slides into our lives with a tiny breeze, only to be recognized after the rest of the country reminds us it's here.
It's already snowing in Colorado (which is not a spin-off of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"). Believe it or not, people are getting their winter coats ready along with their boots, gloves and earmuffs. It's a yearly ritual for most Americans. They easily adjust to the fact that layers are mandatory in the quest for comfort and they are prepared to dress accordingly.
I, however, am no longer one of those Americans. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing like being wrapped in a blanket while watching a football game and drinking hot chocolate. But while I sometimes miss the brisk air that's already greeting the faces of Northerners, I must say that I have not yet grown weary of the constant warmth we get here in the islands. And I highly doubt that I'm the only one who has fallen in love with fall in the Keys.
It's nice to saunter outside in the morning to get the paper without having to worry about putting on socks, pants, a sweatshirt and jacket. Or on the other hand, without suffering from heat stroke before the sun even begins to make its debut for the day (remember July)?.
Instead we get to enjoy the comfort of 86 degree temperatures all day, equally warm waters, and the ability to wear a swimming suit well into the holidays. We're also quite a ways away from retiring our flip-flops, since most serious cold fronts generally wait until December to present themselves.
We are blessed with warm, tropical air to enjoy, comfortable water to float in, and a subtle break in between the African heat and cold sea breezes. However, anytime of year it's possible for you to break into a sweat just by thinking too hard. The Keys are considered to be in a subtropical region, where the average summer and winter temperatures rarely differ by more than 10 degrees.
Key West claims to be the only city in the lower 48 states to never have had a snow, ice or frost, and the coldest temperature ever recorded was 41 F in January of 1886, according to Wikipedia. The average low and high temperatures in January are 67 and 75 F, and whether or not you agree, I say that's perfect weather!
School is in session and well under way, sports are in full swing and the rituals of another year are starting to take shape. We're becoming obsessed with our favorite TV shows, (even the admittedly lame "Dancing with the Stars"), and it's about time to start whipping up some pumpkin pie and making sure there's chili simmering on the stove.
Just because the temperature doesn't drop, doesn't mean we have to drop the ball on the seasons. We just have to incorporate the traditional with the untraditional, which is technically our specialty.
Instead of collecting cold weather gear from the depths of our closets, we're busy pulling out beads and boas as we prepare for all of the Fantasy Fest Festivities. We live in a town that puts the fun in fundraiser and there are countless events that are held to benefit local and national charities.
In fact, that may be the best indicator of the season, based on what events are being hosted on any given weekend. (WomanFest, Bike Week, Goombay, Parrotheads...) We may not be a traditional group, but we are certainly a group that thrives on tradition.
We are islanders. Sure the mountains are magical and forests are fine but to be able to live on an island? That's pretty hard to beat in my book.
But for all the people scattered around the world who are jealous of our tempting temperatures, fear not. I can think of at least one downfall to living on an island surrounded by the sea ... there's coral dust everywhere! You can sweep the floors every day and somehow it will find its way into your bed, hair, purses and cars.... And onto your pets, shoes, food and face.
But personally, I'll take a couple of sandy feet over chapped lips and a runny nose any day.
So until next time, stay cool but don't freeze!
To further inform Miss Informed, contact trork@ keysnews.com, and to catch up on previous ramblings, go to tracirork.blogspot.com.