Wow! A new blog and entry!

I haven't touched this blog in ages. To make everything worse (or better) this morning, I deleted my old blog by accident , I guess it was meant to be, I have a good feeling about this one.

So many things happened since the last time but I don't wish for my blog to start on a less than pleasant subject, there is plenty of time for that! :-) Today will be a tribute to Arizona. Our state display a special beauty when it comes to nature and unique scenery. We are approaching our favorite season: "Winter" unlike many states ; no more dust storms, lower temperatures, ethereal blue skies, time for colorful petunias to grow, bushes and trees to still display magnificent blooms, a time for walking freely, enjoying our surroundings. Time also to anticipate native wildflowers' increasing display of blooms as March turns into April, a sight not to be missed.

With this weather come what we call: "snowbirds." Snowbirds are typically retirees who wish to avoid the snow and cold temperatures of northern winter, but maintain ties with family and friends by staying there the rest of the year. Some are business owners who have a second home in a warmer location or whose business can be easily moved from place to place, such as flea market and swap meet vendors. On another level some are people who suffer from seasonal affective disorder who wish to enjoy the longer daylight hours in the southern latitudes in winter.

We love "snowbirds" here, great for the economy of the state. Phoenix area golf courses love snowbirds too, they take advantage of those weekday tee times (casual outfits). You can always find someone from Minnesota, Iowa or Calgary on a golf course in the winter! Many "snowbirds" are Canadians who usually maintain residency in Canada in order to retain health benefits. So, even though some of the Canadians will stay in the U.S. for only a few months, some who can afford it, I guess, will stay for the full six months they are limited to before returning home.

An estimate 500.000 snowbirds flock each year here, they come because as they say: "we don't have to shovel sunshine!"

We know you drive more slowly, have strange license plates and seem to be lost sometimes but we still love you snowbirds, come on over and enjoy our beautiful weather and all the nature trails we cannot use in summer because of high heat.