Photo by The Joneses Gisela and Gretchen had to bundle up for this photo in front of the Lakeland Carefree resort. Temps in Florida have been unseasonably cold for parts of this winter.
ARCHIVES: You wouldn't believe how beautiful Canada is! Wouldn't change a thing Who knew there was so much to see in South Dakota? Time is flying by — but at least we're having fun! I (heart) Hart Ranch, South Dakota Rallyin' in Goshen, Indiana A special day From friends to work to warmer temps, we're still having fun in Florida Traveling to Texas Finally, we're in Alaska! On the way to Canada Boise sure has changed a lot Escapees Rally in Wyoming Bittersweet trip through the southeast From Boy Scouts to ‘Stars on Ice’ Michigan is full of treasures Arriving in Florida Earning our ears Celebrating Christmas and New Year's in Florida and the Disney Parks Down in the Lowcountry Making our way through Minn., Wisc. and Ill. The holidays in Florida Our time in Lakeland has come to an end Couldn't have had a better time in Omaha! Arriving in Charleston A day with friends from Frederick 'Life is good' in Lakeland, Fla. Leaving Florida, and heading north Our final days in Kentucky Into the Keys Out of Charleston and off to Indiana Dreams come true in Vermont You never know what you'll see or who you'll meet in Alaska Leaving Indiana, but not before taking some of the state's best sites Idaho is full of natural treasures — and moon-like craters, too It's all about the theme parks From prairie country to beautiful views to grand 'ol Yellowstone Thunderstorms, flooding, tornados and a visit with the 'Duke' And so it begins ... Moving days for Greg and his family The gang's all here! Happy to be in Florida again Strawberries, and more strawberries 'The RV Capital of the World' From the beautiful Maine coastline down to southern Connecticut Training for our jobs at Disney World Chillin' out at 'Camp Monaco' Under the weather Back in Florida At long last, back in the area Lots to see in the 'Show Me' state With family and spectacular sights in Hailey, Idaho Look back, look ahead Back in the Lower 48 The cold weather is hitting Florida From Dallas to devastation Back on the road again Leaving Idaho and heading east Beautiful Alaska A memorable visit to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula Watch out for flying dinner rolls

On Feb. 2 we had rain all day, real nasty rain, and during the highest temperatures were in the 50s. However, we shouldn’t complain, because a lot of people are much worse of than we are.

We met a couple (at the Webster Flea Market) who just came down from Kentucky, because their electricity will be out for another four to six weeks. Fortunately they are retired and could come here to visit with their relatives.

Our motorhome stays comfortably warm. We have two heat pumps (front and back) that are OK during the day. In the evening and at night we run the furnace that runs on Propane gas; we have two of those also. And we have an electric fireplace in the living room.

However, the freezing temperatures during the night — one night it went down to 24 degrees — are a concern for the citrus and strawberry growers. Fours hours of 28 degrees will be trouble for the citrus fruits; 32 degrees will damage the strawberries. This is not good since the end of this month is the time for the big Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City, about 20 miles from Lakeland.

The tropical fish farmers are also very worried, because tropical fish begin dying when the water reaches 55 degrees.

Needless to say there were no water aerobic classes this week. The pool here is heated, but we like the outside temperature to be at least 65 degrees before we jump in. Are we spoiled or what? Last week Ralph and I enjoyed a day at the "Snowbird Extravaganza" held at the Lakeland Center, a large convention center downtown Lakeland. This event is sponsored by the Canadian Snowbird Association and is held in various Florida locations during the winter months. This year was 15th year for the event.

There were many exhibits and much information to "enhance our unique snowbird lifestyle" and about a dozen performers to help us have a fun-filled day. When I first saw the advertisement for the show and listing the performers we didn’t expect much — neither Ralph nor I had ever heard of them. What a surprise we had. They were very well-known and top-notch performers from Canada!

We saw some great acts: Tom Leadbeater, who is a tenor from Nova Scotia, with great songs and lots of humor. Can you imagine a guy in a kilt doing a Tom Jones and an Elvis Presley parody. Well. he did and I haven’t laughed as much in a while.

Sean Emery did some amazing juggling, combining very difficult juggling acts with comedy and funny stunts.

The Harmonicats are three elderly gentlemen playing some fantastic arrangements with harmonicas of various sizes, one so small you have to have it on a chain in case you swallow it.

Crystal Cage, a great country singer, also performed. She is recognized as a "New Country Star with a Traditional Country attitude." Much to Ralph’s delight she did a perfect impression of several of Patsy Cline’s famous songs. All in all we saw eight acts and each one was great.

It was a fun day and the best part it was all free except for the lunch we bought and ate while listening to the performers.

Last week I also had an enjoyable time having lunch with friends from our church – St. Timothy in Walkersville. Claudette Lucas is one of the parish nurses. She and her family have come to Disney World for many years. We met at Epcot and it was nice catching up on what is happening at St. Timothy and in the Frederick area.

Once again we are having modification done to our motor home. Soon our coach will be exactly as we want it — at least that is what Ralph hopes. There is a company in Lakeland that specializes in RV modification and customization.

This time we are having the type of shades we had installed in Elkhart, Indiana for the windshield, driver’s side window and door added to the rest of the coach. We are also having sliders put in the two main cargo areas. That will let us pull all ‘the stuff’ we had stored underneath out without climbing inside the storage area.

Life is good at the Lakeland Carefree RV Resort. The weather will be at regular Florida temperatures Saturday. We are planning on a cook-out with the kids.