January is an excellent month! The beginning of the New Year! The days are getting longer, more sunlight! Personal resolutions that will either be attempted to complete, forgotten about, or procrastinated to next year’s resolutions. Napping is one of the tactics to accomplish the above goals!
As I settled into my “Comfy Chair,” I began to lament, missing many friends who turned into “Snowbirds” this time of year. I don’t recall when I first heard the term “Snowbirds.” I initially thought of the Snowy Owl, rough-legged hawk, great gray owl, northern hawk owl, boreal owl, Penguin, Arctic tern, sanderlings, and more. Then I learned that the “Snowbirds” leave their northern homes and travel south, following the Sun and warmer temperatures. Winter in the north county can be quite hazardous. Winter driving may result in accidents, Ice & snow slip and falls, virus season, and low temperatures that may result in frostbite! Some people are affected by seasonal affective disorder due to holidays and winter darkness or just staying home due to the weather.
Some “Snowbirds” travel to a second home in Florida, Arizona, or other southern states.
Some can have one primary and one secondary home. Some people travel and live out of their RVs or tow behind homes of many different sizes and styles, from the Beautiful large Bus style to the pop-up tent. Some people have a rental timeshare, home, or condo that they stay in for a month or longer. Some stay with relatives or friends. “Snowbirds” often flock together in the South and spend a lot of time dining, golfing, and doing other recreational activities. I’m not sure why they are called “Snowbirds,” the people who stay in the northern climates are the true “Snowbirds.” The folks that travel south should be called “Sunbirds!” After all, they follow the Sun!
Of course, living in the South during the winter is not hazard-free! Many people get severe sunburns the first few days or weeks after they get to their southern accommodations. Ice hazards, slips, and falls can occur when someone dops their margarita or drinks on rocks like gin & tonic, or the ice bucket falls over, creating a hazard. Driving can be hazardous, with so many drivers concentrated in one place trying to make it to the early bird specials for dinner or drinks. Cannot forget to mention the alligators, mosquitos, flying crawling bugs of all types, and, of course, the tap water taste impacted by all of the fertilizers used on the golf courses! When it’s 10 below and icy, I will be wishing I was a “Snowbird!”
“Remember, every day is a gift! Some are just a little more fun to open than others. – © Joel M. Vernier 1//9/2024 Author of: “The Guinea Pig In The Freezer.” joelmvernier@aol.com
