Ah, the start of fall (and winter to come) in Florida- when we start to get that “Chamber of Commerce weather” that brings us multitudes of tax-offsetting tourists and snowbirds (those that live part of the year down here).
For some of us model railroaders who have negotiated space use rights with their better half to have a layout, that means the garage (we cannot have basements with the sea level so close to the surface).
I will be getting back to that private domain (the garage) where I have managed to establish a working wood shop and a small layout table, to finally start the permanent track laying and initial wiring to get my currently pintacked-in-place track work brought up to an operational level. To those up north who have a garage layout, my apologies- I will be wearing just a t shirt and shorts as I enjoy our state’s finest weather- heck, I might just have our poodle out there to keep me company each weekend as I work! No raking leaves…they’re all still on the trees!
Go ahead - rub it in, rub it in! Actually, I don’t mind Ontario’s winter weather, except when there is freezing rain or white-outs. Those are nasty to be out in, but I’m retired so I don’t have to anymore!!! Besides, there is a sense of accomplishment after you have blown 12" of snow out of your driveway and the two neighbours’ as well. Fortunately, 12" is pretty rare.
With my two new garage doors the garage stays relatively comfortable even in bitter cold weather. All I need is a sweater.
We don’t have to rake leaves either. We planted a Morraine Locust and a Mountain Ash in the backyard. Both produce multiple tiny leaves instead of fewer big ones. The leaves just disappear into the grass.[:D] The rest of the trees are all coniferous.
That’s why we won’t move to the Maritimes when Dianne retires!
Yes, thankfully 12" is pretty rare here in Bradford. We benefit significantly from a positive lake effect from Lake Simcoe. However, if you drive 10 minutes north of us towards Barrie, all bets are off! We will get a couple of inches and they will get buried almost every time there is snow. I’m not complaining. My son will be though. He just bought a house in Barrie.[(-D]
Some years ago I travelled from Florida to Maine about this time of year. Absolutely amazing to go from early autumn in Florida to deep winter in Maine over about two weeks. We don’t get the fall colours to the same extent in the other hemisphere.