Snowbirds, a term describing folks who migrate south for the winter, barely applies to my wife and me.
While we have accustomed ourselves to Maryland’s unpredictable wintry climes, freezing rain and periodic blizzards, we jumped at the chance to fly south to Fort Lauderdale and accept my brother-in-law’s offer to worship the sun. It didn’t take too much thought.
This new year we are sampling the joy of Florida for 11 days. Maybe we will like the respite and seek a longer stay next year, joining many, many Talbot County residents and others throughout our country who see no reason to endure winter and its sometimes cruel behavior.
We did flee the dreaded flu for South Florida. We battled this winter scourge for seven days, coughing endlessly and confronting a constant sluggishness. And, then we undertook a pre-arranged trip to a place where we only knew the airport.
Flu remnants are still dogging us. Not surprising. The strain is disabling. Doctors and pharmacists are “slammed,” as I learned first-hand.
Temperatures in the low 80s. A gentle breeze. Beautiful beach. And like-minded people who consider a physical and mental escape healthy and sane. What’s not to like?
Before closing this pain to warmth and comfort, I must pay homage to another bird: ducks. Specifically I draw attention of all readers, wherever they reside, to the University of Oregon Ducks, victorious on New Year’s Day night over Florida State.
Now the UO Ducks, who claim the academic and athletic allegiance of my older daughter and family, will face Ohio State in the new NCAA championship. The University of Oregon showed the doubting sports world it can play tough, hard-nosed football against a football powerhouse. Ohio State showed it can match the University of Alabama in speed and prowess.
The football gods must be chuckling over the change of fortunes in college football.
So, I started off talking about snowbirds and the flu bug and ended by applauding the Oregon Ducks. I guess the Florida sun already has softened my brain.
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