Sunset over Biscayne Bay

I have started to walk again...well, sort of. My broken toe is healing, finally, and I am getting out in the late afternoon to walk around our small island. Needless to say, the exercise is absolutely necessary! Even the weather is cooperating and is much better; some days it's even cool! So, armed with my iPod, with music that can keep me moving...I walk every afternoon. There are such memories in that!

I get out of our building's pool area and into the walkway....turn right and go. Most people move the opposite way, but I want to see the open water and the sunset....alright, you'll say I'm walking Eastwards.... so what sunset? That's the beauty of it...the sun cannot be seen over the buildings that now cover the other side of the water. The Brickell area is a concrete jungle...but Mother Nature has found a way. Above and between the buildings and into the bay spill the colors of the retreating sun....and what colors!

Once I turn into the side of the island along the Miami River, I can see the port of Miami and the end tail of Miami Beach and farther on Fisher Island. The tall buildings on the far side reflect those colors in a wonderful way. Golds, reds and violets, yellows and oranges shine blindingly on the glass windows and doors. The sky turns pink or gold and color surrounds you. It is breathtaking!

As in other places I have walked, very few people lift their heads up to look....what is it with them? Am I the only one that still likes sunsets?

Back to Panama....

Yes, plans have changed yet again. A trip to Panama is necessary and soon! Don't know how this is going to happen....I just can't do this at this time. Since my mother had her stroke, it seems the only place I visit is Panama. Haven't had time for any vacation, have been only once to see my daughter in London, had to cancel my trip to Curaçao....what next?

I received a frantic call the other day: one of my mother's nurses got a job at a hospital and is leaving. As if getting professionals to move in with my mother and care for her is not hard enough. So I immediately asked my cousin to start looking...have some candidates lined up by the time I get there. Screening and interviewing and deciding....not my idea of a relaxing trip, which is what I really need at the moment.

This will be also the time, I hope, to take a hard look at the situation. Is this the best we can do for her? is it possible that my mother needs to be in place where she can socialize with others her age? maybe have a more interesting life? Right now, she lives on her own with the people that care for her. It was the easiest solution since neither my sisters nor I live in Panama. It has worked so far...but who knows? More decisions, and this time so close to the Holidays. Let's see what happens....

Weather Changes

Here we are again, the weather is changing in South Florida! I read yesterday in the new paper a comment by a popular local writer. She said small things point to this change: temperatures a couple of degrees lower, a feeling of crispiness in the air, she is wearing jeans instead of shorts.....She assured us that Fall is indeed here. Of course nothing like what is happening in the Northeast or the Midwest, but Fall none the less.

Well, I am glad someone is keeping tabs! I have noticed a bit of a cool breeze in the mornings and early evenings when I walk. I have also noticed that the water in our swimming pool is cooler and humidity is a bit lower. My husband and I went out last night and we saw people already wearing sweaters and jackets....a bit premature, if you ask me, but a sure sign that Floridians think Fall has arrived. After five years living in Miami, I think I can tell these changes. Still, is nothing to write home about...yet! Except if you are a long time Florida resident, I guess.

In a few weeks it will be delightful, though. People will congratulate themselves for living in Florida. The days will be sunny and bright and crisp...there goes that word again. Mornings will be cool enough for a sweater and jeans will be wearable again, at least for me. I don't dare to wear them in the Summer. I will take a wrap when we go out at night, just in case it gets nippy. Sandals will be replaced by more covered shoes...not necessary at all times! Yes, the best part of the year in South Florida is starting. Everything that we like to do will be more enjoyable and it's the time of the year when I am almost glad we moved here!!!

Hurricane OMAR

Hurricane OMAR formed in the Eastern Caribbean on Tuesday....just off Curaçao!! This most have been a first...It caused widespread damage along the beaches. High winds and torrential rains kept the island on a state of alert until today. It has been a couple of very active years for hurricanes, but what is more worrisome is that they are getting closer.... It used to be that Curaçao was way outside the hurricane belt. Even when storms came close, the damage was never as bad as in other islands. This has changed lately. As I said before, whoever is in charge...STOP IT!

I have been in touch with friends back home. The pictures are scary. My friend Vicki sent pictures of the storm today...she hosted our bridge morning today and everyone had to help keeping the water out of her house. The winds were so strong the water was seeping under the doors! They had to use towels to stop the water!!! It even came through the closed windows in the dinning room. A old satellite dish fell in the pool. It was empty, but the rains filled it overnight. What is this? It hardly seems like the Curaçao I remember.

Monique sent pictures taken along the area where I used to walk...couldn't believe the damage. Then there are the beaches, not one escaped unscathed. Something similar happened when LENNY came calling years ago, and it took years to repair them. This time it will be worse, some of them are unrecognizable. How sad!

Considering the state of the world's economy, the fact that people are guarding their pocketbooks and vacations are not going to be priority, this could not have come at a worse time. I only hope that this is the last of the big storms of this year....fifteen is quite enough!