... the beginning of summer!
Being born a Yankee -- and having spent a good bit of my adult years as a hearty midwesterner, I've spent all my life before the big move here in 2014 fully aware of the concept of seasons, and I've previously taken my cue from the changes I see around me four times a year.
Down here in the SoFlo -- where outwardly it's pretty much summer all the time -- there are still some more subtle things to observe as the calendar changes throughout the year, and there are four things in particular that herald the beginning of summer -- so long as you are paying attention.
First, traffic is suddenly alleviated as all the snowbirds head back to their summer homes (and as the rich tourists choose less hot places to spend their foreign dollars).
Second, hurricane season -- and hysteria over hurricane season *prep* -- kicks off (cue Alberto)!
Third, the royal poinciana trees bloom in fiery bright red and orange petals overnight (except for the one in our back yard, which is still recovering from Irma-related damage last fall and only has one visible plume).
And finally, the beautiful golden orb spiders spin their yellow webs in the area we call "no man's land" separating the back yards between us and our neighbor to the east (that's a static image of our half-dollar size beast accompanying this post, unless you're reading this on the Facebook, where a short video has been posted instead).
Happy start of summer to you and yours -- wherever you are -- from us and ours down here in the SoFlo!
NOTHING SAYS SUMMER LIKE BLOOMING ROYAL POINCIANA TREES!:
https://www.south-florida-plant-guide.com/royal-poinciana-tree.html
NOTHING SAYS SUMMER LIKE THE FIRST NAMED STORM OF THE SEASON:
http://time.com/5292106/alberto-hurricane-season-2018/
NOTHING SAYS SUMMER LIKE THE GOLDEN ORB MEGA-SPIDER'S RETURN:
https://owlcation.com/stem/The-Biggest-Spiders-in-Florida
