What's in a name?

There's been quite a bit of a hoohah recently about the use of the word negro. This bothers me as I wonder if we're getting to the point where we will eventually be afraid to mention anyone's race color, politics or religion. Unless the word is used in a derogratory manner I don't see why people would object. I always felt that the word negro was reference to a race the same as caucasian, Asian, etc. and I've never heard anyone complain about their use. Martin Luther King day was Monday and I wonder how he would feel about being called a negro. Somehow I think he would be proud so why not stop this silliness of labels. After all as Shakespeare said, "What's in a name?"
Well, I could go on about that for awhile but the tragedy in Haiti makes all the bickering between politicians seem so trivial.

Slogging through blogs

It's cold, wet and gloomy here in S, Florida. Luckily we only get a few days like this. Bored, I decided to go blog slogging. Since I am a senior citizen I decided that I'd see what the other seniors were blogging about so I went to Google and typed in senior blogs. I found a lot of blogs about seniors. They gave advice and information on health, insurance, etc. These were all useful  but what I was looking for was blogs by seniors. I wanted to know what others my age were doing. What I found was that we seniors aren't just sitting around playing bingo and griping about our aches and pains. We're traveling and boy are we ever interested in politics. There were blogs on the ecology and well, just about every subject. If you're a senior and have a blog how about telling me about it. I'd love to hear from you.

I spent a lot of time looking at blogs today. Then more time filling in information to get my blog recognition. I found some interesting blogs that I think I will look at again and a lot that even made mine look interesting. I did get rather tired of looking at adorable kids and grandkids and then lengthy travelogues were right up there on my HO HUM list. I like it when people tell of the interesting thing that happen to them on their trips but I can find all the other historical and geographical info on the web if I'm interested enough. I did enjoy reading about the bloggers their ideas and interests. There are an awful lot of interesting people out there and I will continue my blogging excavation tomorrow and list the more interesting ones here.

Iguana Blues

We're having a cold snap here in southern Florida and everyone is complaining about the 50 & 60 degree temperatures. I know, I know that seems downright balmy to those of you who have been suffering through severe snowstorms and freezing temperatures. Year round residents are shivering and trying to remember how to turn on furnaces, if they have one, but the tourists who have paid big bucks for a week or two of sun and fun are huddled on the beach in winter coats and gloves bravely baring their faces to the sunny but cold skies. After all at $400 a day you need a little sunburn to show for it. Farmers are hustling to save their crops and volunteers are handing out blankets to the homeless. Although the humans are grumbling it's the animals who are suffering.

Southern Florida is home to hundreds of tropical birds, reptiles, insects and mammals and these are having a tough time during prolonged cold spells. Zoo's handed out blankets to primates and manatees rushed to the warm waters coming out of cooling vents at the electric plants. Butterfly World gathered up 100's of their exotic flutterers and turned them loose in a heated room. but I can't do the same for the ones who brighten my back yard. I'm afraid that they will perish. One exoctic member of the landscape that might not survive a prolonged cold snap is the iguana which has made itself persona non grata. They are vegetarians and can denude your carefully cultivated landscape in nothing flat and leave only their excrement as thanks. Unlike many of my neighbors I would miss them. A few hibiscus plants is a small price to pay to see these gentle prehistoric creatures browsing in your backyard. I'd gladly cover each and everyone with a blanket but unfortunately they roost in trees.
I'm very happy to be in South Florida and wish you were, too.
I hope you have a Happy, Healthy and prosperous New Year.