Coastal Commentaries

Ok, old people live down here pretty much year ’round. But we get an influx of old people during the months of November through March. We call them show birds. They want to escape the snowy north for the warmer weather of Florida.

However, most people don’t know this, but Florida is a haven for feral cats. When I first moved to Northern Florida, I was surprised by all the wild cats. One of our local video stores just up the street used to set out bowls of food. One night we walked by and saw at least 30 cats.

Living in Florida, land of the old people, who’s sex symbol is Bob Barker who always signs off of his show warning to get your pets spayed and neutered, I was shocked. I was stunned. Seems like the old folks of Florida weren’t heeding his warning.

When I moved down to central Florida there were just as many wild domestic cats roaming around. As a matter of fact, I met a girl at one of our beach accesses that was filling in for another lady who comes down every night to feed the feral cats. In Florida, it is supposedly illegal to do so. But as an animal lover what are you suppose to do? Let them starve to death?

Last night, I saw a kitten try to climb a light pole. She is not more than 4 months old, probably younger. I brought her home because in an environment such as ours, you shouldn’t let your kitty roam late at night by herself. I will post flyers to find her rightful owners, but if you’re just going to let her out to roam free, maybe you don’t deserve her to begin with.

She’s been quite at home in my son’s lap all day (after sleeping with him last night.) Apparently, she needs the love and apparently, she’s not getting it from the original owners who took her home only to toss her outdoors to fend for herself.

Florida is already too full of feral cats, and she will not be one of them. My son loves cats but is allergic to them. I’ve armed him with Benedryl and he’s happy to have her. The thing is pet will always give you unconditional love. That’s all they want back in return. And if my allergy ridden son can love a kitty regardless of his own discomfort…well, enough said.

This is the best thing about living in Cape Canaveral. This is why I moved to the coast. My friend, Samantha and I headed to the beach this afternoon. The sky was clear and blue, the water a nice shade of blue green and sparkling. Despite all the people, although not as crowded as other beaches like Daytona, it was a peaceful, tranquil day.

A beautiful day at the beach!

Samantha suns.

We sat in the surf.

The surfing was good, surfers ranging in ages from 6-65. This surfer was about 65 yrs old.

I’m a people watcher. This father uses a trip to the beach for educational purposes, pointing out the different little fishes and shells.

Look! It’s Bond Girl, Samantha Breezy!

Top rated hotels and resorts by Trip Advisor.

Other hotels and motels in the area from Trip Advisor.

I wrote this last year on my old blog. As the information is good, I thought I’d bring it back for an encore (I will be doing a lot of that over the next few weeks.)

When I first moved here at the end of June last year, hurricane season was already upon us. Everyone cautioned me to stock up on supplies so I would be ready, just in case.

Hurricane season officially begins on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. The original end date has changed twice over the last several years. First, it was Oct 30, then it changed to Nov 15 and now it’s at Nov 30.

Scotty the downstairs neighbor says that in the 14 years he’s lived here, there have been five hurricanes. After looking it up for myself, since 1995, there have been six storms, not all of them hurricanes, and not all of them direct hits.

The Hurricane City website states that this area gets brushed or hit roughly every 4.15 years and the average years between a direct hit is 12.45 years. Statistically, the next hit for this area should be at the end of the 2009 season. (We got slammed pretty hard last year by Tropical Storm Fay.)

Scotty claims never to have evacuated. However, in my county, Brevard, when living on a barrier island, evacuation is mandatory. And quite frankly, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

My mama didn’t raise no fool either, so I have been slowly stocking up on suggested hurricane kit items. Since it’s just my son and I, our list is a tiny bit shorter.

Water- 1 gallon a day per person for 3-7 days.

Food- at least enough for 3 to 7 days
non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices, snack foods, non-electric can opener
cooking tools / fuel, paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.

Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes

Flashlight / Batteries

Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight re-sealable plastic bag…insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Tools - keep a set with you during the storm

Vehicle fuel tanks filled

Books and games

For others who have infants, elderly family members, make sure you have what they will need such as diapers, formula, speciality foods (such as Ensure or Boost), medications, etc.

For pets, owners need to have proper identification, immunization records, medications, ample supply of food and water, a carrier or cage, muzzle and leash.

Wal Mart sells bottled water either by the gallon (around 84 cents,) the 2.5 gallon (around $3,) and the big 7 gallon plastic carboy ($7 for the first fill up including the bottle, $1 for refills.)

When I was a kid, deviled ham came only in deviled ham. Now they offer deviled chicken and deviled beef. The same with Spam, it comes in turkey, with cheese, with bacon, hickory smoked, lite, and a few others. There’s also the tried and try Vienna Sausages, which also now come in a variety of flavors.

For travelers planning a vacation to a historically active hurricane destination, you should also keep hurricane supplies on hand. You might want to consider travel insurance as well. Places such as InsureMyTrip.com and Priceline.com offer travel insurance, so in the event of a hurricane canceling or ruining your trip, you can recoup a large portion of your hard-earned money.

Whether you live on a barrier island, like me, or you’re simply planning a trip to one, you can’t go wrong with the Boy Scout motto: Always be prepared. I know I will be.

Yes, it’s been awhile since I’ve been here. What can I say, this southern belle has been busy trying to eek out a few bucks to survive on (btw, 2009 calendar is once again for sale at Coastal Designs. Toward the end of the year, I will be putting together another calendar for the 2010 season. And, if you are so inclined….visit my zazzle site at Southern Expressions.)

But enough of that. Living in Cape Canaveral has been tough on many folks because of the economy, to say the least. This is a town that has relied heavily on the space program. And while Pres. Obama says he will try to continue the space program at least another year or so, everything is up in the air. Believe me, this area needs it. We rely a lot on tourism, but with the economy as bad as it is, tourism is kind of at a low point now.

so, without further ado…here are a few photos I snapped of the Atlantis launch from my (yes) balcony.

For more great photos visit Wordless Wednesday

Today Mr. J and I headed into Cocoa Beach to film another webisode of Road Trippin’ with LA and Mr. Jamaica. As we worked our way back through Cocoa Beach, towards home, we stopped in at the Cocoa Beach Pier.

This little guy was waiting patiently as a nearby man chopped shrimp for bait. The pelican was hoping he might get a piece or two.

For more great photos visit Wordless Wednesday

Yep, we even managed a game of wiffle ball! Hell yeah! (I was on first)

I was afforded the opportunity this weekend to attend an annual, exclusive event: The Great American Picnic.

Now this just isn’t any picnic, this picnic is exclusively for employees of USA (United Space Alliance) They give massive support to NASA in the way of manufacturing parts for the Space Shuttles. This annual event is by invitation only. USA employees get camping passes, one of which they can pass along to friends or family. And pass along ole Bob did. Thanks, Bob, for an awesome time!

The campground of Kars Park on the Banana River is government property, just down the road from Kennedy Space Center, and you have to work for the government (or one of it’s supplier subsidy contractors) to even get a yearly pass at Kars.

You don’t have to camp, you can just attend the picnic on Saturday (about $7 a person for Sonny’s BBQ catered food) However, the picnic offered all the free sodas, beer and roasted corn you could consume. Port-a-Potties be damned, it was a good time! I’m always up for free beer!

Let’s get to some photos, eh!

The view from our campsite

View from my tent

Great American Picnic complete with kiddy attractions

and music, of all kinds!

Ummm, that roasted corn was GOOD! Yummy!

My friend, Mary, and I’s dirty camper feet (yes, it was also yesterday’s WW)

Ok, ok, so I’m obsessed with Spanish Moss (and as I’ve learned, Florida’s Live Oak trees)

Totum pole marking the way back to my freakin’ campsite!

I love yard art! So to see this piece next to a travel trailer campsite, I was thrilled. This is a zoom shot so you can see the cruise ship at Port Canaveral (that’s the Disney cruise liner.)

Since the campsite is situated on the west bank of the Banana River, we could see the Delta II Rocket launch pad on the east side of the Banana River. Yep, that’s right folks, I got to see a rocket lift off from its pad! It may have been a river’s width away but it was still awesome!

Hopefully I’ll be able to bring you some still shots of that soon. Also, I not only video taped the lift off, but also scenes from the classic car show and best of all….the picnic’s chili cook-off.

Lot’s more to come!

For more great photos visit Wordless Wednesday