I'm one of those people who spend way too much time pondering my next move. I tend to over think situations and occasionally have been struck by a touch of analysis paralysis. That's why it came as such a surprise, even to me, when just a little over a year ago I found myself agreeing with my husband's suggestion that we leave winters (and friends, the Smithsonian, Rio Grande margaritas, Trader Joe's) behind and move to the tropics. Well technically it's the subtropics but in the contiguous US it's not a stretch to say 'Tropics'.
What you must understand is that I was very firmly rooted in a nice leafy suburb just outside Washington, DC, (unhappily) commuting an hour each way to what I considered a work-of-the-heart job in the city. I rationalized ten hour days, never having dinner with my husband, and spending little time with my friends by using the "but my work is so compelling" excuse. Although I secretly dreamed of a life less hectic with time for book club, gardening, and yoga I could not imagine a path that would lead from there to here.
Turns out the path, like my garden, was just a little overgrown and not so hard to find. With the help of some unexpected surprises both good and bad nudging us in this direction, we now happily call the tropics home.
 |
| Bare Feet and Flip Flops |
Here are a few beauties for starters
 |
| Resurrection Fern and Stag Horns on a backyard tree |
 |
Crinum Lilies outside my window
|
and a much hoped for and long awaited first in Florida that coincided with our move ...
 |
| Trader Joe's followed us to the tropics |
Great news, particularly for my friend Arj whose first visit was cause for extra celebration when one of her suitcases opened to reveal bountiful treats from Trader Joe's. I was especially impressed by the cold packs that kept the frozen products intact from DC all the way to my new home! I chuckled thinking about the TSA officer's surprise if they opened her bag.
 |
| Still life with frozen grapes |
So today I begin this new project about my journey of a thousand miles, the change of latitude and the cool discoveries I'm finding along the way. I hope you keep me company and invite you to share your own life's a-has .
