Sunday January 4th 2026

Note: My January 1st blog entry is now posted and available.

The temperature this weekend has returned to normal. Last weeks sixty degree high are back to the mid seventies. Higher temperatures are in the forecast for later in the week. The downside is the bright sun has disappeared. Each day has been cloudy at best and Saturday evening even included some rain.

Rain is really needed. The central Florida area particularly near the Gulf coast are in a drought. Pond and lake levels are down. I watched a particularly difficult boat launch today. The drop off at the end of the ramp came too soon for the boat trailer tires. The guy managed to get everything out, but it took a lot of power and spinning wheels. Another example of the low water level, here at the park, is the visible island in the middle of the retention pond. It is usually fully submerged. Finally in the drought indicators is the ban on fireworks in the county. New Years Eve was quiet.

The weekend has been relaxing. I accomplished a few chores, but others have been deferred. My bougainvillea plant is back in a rapid growth phase. It hasn’t needed attention for over a month, but it needs a “hair” cut again. It looks good from a distance. Up close it looks shaggy. Trimming it is easy. Picking up the clippings and taking them to the park’s dumpsters is another matter.