Back again --

In our real (full-time) life we're back again at the Florida Canal Cottage.  And  back in blogland after too long an unexplained absence.   I've always hated it when bloggers I follow disappear without a trace and I really wish I hadn't done the same exact thing.  This post is my attempt to catch up a little bit.   All pictures the are from the current season here in Florida.  But not all the words. 

I've missed blogging, but it has been hard to get started again.    We've been busy since the last time I posted at the end of October, but honestly the real reason I haven't posted has more to do  with the disastrous result of November's election.  I've always thought of the blog as my "happy place"  -- where good memories are stored.    Although I don't dwell on the state of the world every moment while we're living our lives, whenever I thought about putting a post together for the blog,  it somehow seemed shallow to be chronicling only happy times when our whole country honestly seems to be falling apart. 

Black-Crowned Night Heron at Ding Darling

He looks cranky,  but I think its just because of the photographer and not because of the state of the world 

I hate the feeling that there's really not much we can do.   But wallowing in depression certainly isn't good for me or for anybody else, so I am back to chronicle the good memories and to share them with anybody who happens by.   Even though I'm afraid the nation's problems aren't going away anytime soon, further posts will, I hope, be more about our personal life and less about worry.     

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming:

 

 Looking up  -- at Six Mile Cypress Slough in Florida

 We stayed at home in Oregon longer than usual this time, enjoying lots of happy times with our Oregon families including two of our "kids"* , our grown grandchildren, the five great-grands who live in Oregon, and even our grand-family of three  from Europe who visited for almost a month while we were also in town.   A big bonus was spending both Thanksgiving and Christmas with family, for the first time in quite a while.      

 

Loop Road, Big Cypress

 

Another happy, but harder, kind of busy happened because we moved our Oregon "home-base" to  a newly-opened independent senior community.   We  enjoyed our shiny new "lock and leave" home along with the amenities the community provides and look forward to taking even more advantage of those when we return this summer.     

 

Roseate Spoonbills, White Pelicans  and Night Heron at Ding Darling.  Little Blue Heron at  Six-Mile Cypress  

Although feeling barely settled in our new Oregon digs, in early January we made our semi-annual cross-country migration.   We spent the majority of that month  opening the Canal Cottage and happily getting re-adjusted to the subtropical winter here in southwest Florida.    

 

Green Heron, Big Cypress Refuge

We had a joyful week in February, when we had a visit from all three of our sons.  They came from Colorado, Texas, and Oregon for a brothers' reunion and to see the old folks (and for two of them to visit us here in Florida for the first time.)    We loved showing them around some of our favorite places.   We missed our Oregon daughter and son-in-law and our daughters-in-law, but it was a delight to see our  boys* all together.    Almost all of the family pictures I took, both here and from Oregon are on my phone and somehow those don't seem to want to upload easily to the blog.   

*All four of our children are old enough to be eligible for residence in our senior communities, although none of them are remotely interested in such a thing just yet.  But it's sure a reminder of our own advanced age!

 

Great Egret in front of  everybody's favorite (?)  Florida icon in the background , at Big Cypress

 

It always seems to happen that we see several of one certain species whenever we go to one of our 'nature places.'  The Black- Crowned Night Heron is that  one so far this season, as we've seen at least one on every outing.   Below is just one more picture of this pretty heron.  

 

 Black-Crowned Night Heron.  Big Cypress   

 

 

It's good to be back to blogging again .  Thanks to everyone who reads, visits, comments, and hosts.  

 

SATURDAY CRITTERS;  NATURE NOTES; MOSAIC MONDAY;  THROUGH MY LENS;   ;  WILD BIRD Wednesday;  THANKFUL THURSDAY;  and  SKYWATCH FRIDAY  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Debbie]

i have missed you and i am so happy you made the choice you did!! my blog is my happy place also and i continue to share my joy here. it never means that everything is perfect nor does it mean i run around with my eyes closed or that i am fake. it's just me sharing the fun things in my life and there are plenty to share. look how many people have missed you and left you kind comments!! your wildlife images are WONDERFUL, you sure are spoiled down there in florida, you see so many amazing birds. stop by tomorrow, i have a post i know will make you smile!!

[diane]

So good to see you back in blogland. No wonder you have been absent with all what has been going on in your Full-time Life.
The photos of the flowers and birds are lovely. Your new abode sounds like a good idea.

[John's Island]

Dear Sallie, You said, “I've missed blogging, but it has been hard to get started again.” Oh my goodness, I smiled when I read that … I know exactly the feeling … and I haven’t stopped blogging, but a lot of time goes by between posts. As time goes by I find things to post about … things I’ve read about, taken pictures of, etc. that I keep in a file that keeps growing until it’s imperative to get a post published. :-) Lately, that’s been about once a month. In between posts, I still enjoy viewing other folks blogs and sometimes find a spark that encourages me to get to work on a new post. Your photos in this post encouraged me to get out into nature and take some pictures. I hope I can capture some like your excellent “Looking up -- at Six Mile Cypress Slough in Florida.” Now, one more thing in reply … you mentioned “chronicling only happy times when our whole country honestly seems to be falling apart.” OMG, I’ve thought so much about that myself … I also think of my blog as my “happy place” but I’m getting really close to chiming in on the state of our country. We are truly in a mess right now! I’m sorry for such a long comment. I truly appreciated your recent comment on my blog and I’m delighted to see you back again. Best wishes to you and yours! John

[Photo Cache]

I'm one of those that missed your posts. I share your horror of the results of the election. Like you blogging is the escape to real world worries. It's a happy place.

Welcome back!

[Jm, Illinois, U.S.A.]

Welcome back!

[Jim, Sydney, Australia]

Great shots.

[Joyful]

Welcome back. Congratulations on your new home in Oregon. Enjoy your time in Florida. I enjoyed all your photos and understand your reasons for not blogging. xx

[David M. Gascoigne]

Welcome back, Sallie. Frankly, you couldn’t pay me to go to Florida - literally. And more and more Canadians feel the same way. All the best - David

[Sharon Wagner]

Welcom back!

[magiceye]

Your new environment has surely welcomed you with open arms as your lovely photos show!

[Amy]

Good to see you back and your photos and updates. I agree with you about politics, it's just as bad here too.

[Veronica Lee]

Welcome back! I totally get how hard it can be to start blogging again, but I’m glad you’re back. Your posts are always a great escape, and your photos are beautiful as always. Sounds like you’ve had some amazing family time too—looking forward to more!

[A ShutterBug Explores]

Wow! So good to 'see you' again ~ I did a double take when I saw your blog name ~ couldn't believe it and what a great time you have having ~ great photos and thanks for you visit to my blog ~ hugs,

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

[mae]

Good to see you have reached some sort of equilibrium between looking at the loss of our great country and continuing to lead a somewhat sane day to day life. Being in florida looks great… I love your birds.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

[Annie]

So happy to read you again, Sallie. I thought and hoped that your silence had to do with "the disastrous result of November's election".
Happy also to see you are well settled in your dear Canal Cottage.
Amities.
Annie from France

[Lorrie Orr]

It's so nice to see your post today, Sallie. Things are very strange in our world these days, and we, your neighbours to the north are feeling a lot of tension. It's good to focus on the ordinary details of life and on the beauty all around us. Love the bird photos you've shared, and how fun to have your sons visit you in Florida.

[Lisa]

Wow! I was so happy to hear from you. I have checked your blog a number of times over the last few months and hoped everything was okay. I hear you about chronicling the good memories with everything going on, but I have written a number of times about the situation in my little country too.

[Hazel]

Good to see you back with more great bird photos! It must have been lovely to have so much family time.
We are all concerned about the state of politics just now, but life has to go on.

[ellen b.]

Hooray! You are back. I was just about ready to send out the Bloggy detectives. Your family times sound delightful, especially your three sons gathering at your winter home. It warms a Mother's heart for that kind of visit, I'm sure. Loved seeing those amazing birds. Take care and keep looking up!

[Penelope Notes]

Nice to see you back, Sallie! The world is in disarray and many people are mobilizing in various ways. Meanwhile, our moments are still precious so it would be a shame not to appreciate the good things and enjoy them. :)

[Linda Walcroft]

Glad to see you! Great pictures of wildlife. I think it’s important to share our appreciation of nature, especially now. People will only fight for what they love, and if we can get one person to understand how vital our natural world is, we have done our job for the day.

[Dina Johnston]

Lots of great shots! Hope you are enjoying this amazing weather.

[Beatrice]

Sallie, what a wonderful surprise to read your comments on my recent posts and the. To read yours. Honestly, I had wondered if everything was OK because as you noted it has happened that bloggers stop posting, some for health reasons and others because they have unfortunately passed. I am so glad to know those were not your reasons, especially the second one😏. Many bloggers have echoed your sentiments about the state of US politics and while their frustration is understandable, I have and will continue to keep my blog posts free of politics and tend not to comment on those who do. I would much rather post about anything else and so I do.

Your new Oregon place sounds like it will be a perfect second home and perhaps you shpw photos in a future post.

[Yogi]

Hey, welcome back.
I share your thoughts about the last election but you know the voters have spoken and I just dread all the ramifications. The guy and his henchmen are in love with chaos. So his run of the mill followers, that still talk to me, keep telling me that there is a top secret game plan for all this mess and it is working perfectly. No it is not!!
Anyway nice hearing from you. I try and keep the noise out of my head. I'm retired so I watch TMC movies during the evening news hour.

[Lavender Dreams]

I am VERY happy to hear from you and know you are doing so good. The place you bought sounds perfect for leaving and not having to worry. And I know you are enjoying Florida right now. It's beautiful...ahhh choo! haha! And you'll see we are camping like crazy in our van camper. I appreciate your help and advice on the vans and it's perfect for us! YAY! Happy days! Hugs, Diane

[DeniseinVA]

I am so happy to see you back Sallie. I have missed you but certainly understand the delay. It's absolutely bonkers out there. Don't ever worry about posting about happy things though. Believe me, we need to read about uplifting things in our blogging friends lives and yes, hear about the not so uplifting as it's a good place to find understanding. It keeps us going, or at least it keeps me going as I shouldn't talk for everyone else. Sounds like others feel the same way though from what I have been reading. I try to keep my blog happy and as I said in my sidebar, plenty of things are heartbreaking. So welcome back my friend, loved each and every photo you shared today. They keep my spirits lifted and I thank you so much for that :)

[breathtaking]

Hello Sallie :) You were missed, welcome back. I do understand how you feel about the state of affairs in your country, The news gets worse every time I read about it, but you have a loving family and I'm glad you were able to see quite a lot of them whilst you were away, and family always comes first. Your photos of the Black Crowned Night Heron, Great Egret, Green Heron, Roseate Spoonbills, White Pelicans, and Little Blue Heron are fabulous sightings and great captures. Nature does help to calm ones spirit and takes you to a place of wonder and peace. I'm glad you decided to return to blogging, although you have been busy moving to a new retirement home which seems to be a good decision,with many beneficial amenities. Congrats on making this choice, and I hope you will be very happy.
All the best
Sonjia.

[tomthebackroadstraveller]

...Sallie, you can't let Trumpy Dumpy put you in a funk! Resist the best that you can and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you. You are in control.

[Eileen]

Hello and welcome back Sallie,
I feel much the same as you concerning our country and what's going on is just terrible. Nature does take us to a peaceful place. I enjoyed all your birds, the Night Herons are gorgeous. I love the Egret and gator, the Green Heron, Pelicans and Spoonbill. They are all beautiful photos. Congrats on your new retirement home. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

[Heidrun ⛱]

Yes, I agree with the comments before... It's wonderful, dear Sallie, to read you again here.

I take me time read this Post with more calm... My husband call me now ;)))

Greetings and hugs by Heidrun

[Shiju Sugunan]

Welcome back! Lovely photos! It's understandable to feel conflicted about sharing joy amidst difficult times, but your 'happy place' is a gift. Looking forward to more of your posts.

[Cloudia]

Lovely to see you Sallie . This is a beautiful post. Thank you aloha

[Sharon Hein]

Sallie, I completely understand your reasons for not blogging but have to say, IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOUR POSTS AGAIN!