Insects.

Dead bugs are just as pretty as live ones.


A while back, Robin and I went to the Everglades and had a glorious time. We probably still have the mosquito bites to prove it. I've never before felt like my life was in danger from insects, but at one point they literally had us running away. I felt like Pooh bear running away from a beehive. Only I never got any honey.


If you have not been, please go visit. It will make me happy. The park is huge and beautiful--and it was nearly deserted. One of the visitor's centers is practically abandoned. It was wrecked in a hurricane a few years back and remains mostly out of use. (No restaurants or gift shops!!)



Most of the parks other guests were from faraway exotic lands (like Canada) and not from Florida. Except for the people with boats... I digress. My point is: it disappoints me that there are so many people from Florida who have never been to the Everglades. People who have lived here their whole lives.

As I find myself in this state a little longer than expected I've begun to think about these things--the culture, the community, the environment--of Orlando and of the state.

There are beautiful things here I think. If we appreciate them, maybe they will stick around.