Here in Florida we do not get color changes in foliage like you do up north. We get a lot of foliage tossed around by wind and rain. Our technicians on guard for too much foliage are out regularly trimming it back in case of too much wind and rain. We have a lot of telephone and electric lines underground these days but you still see some lines stuck in between branches of the fast growing tropical flora that seems to spring up and reach heights so quickly.  But these plants do not drop their leaves in the same way as they do up north.  And, the color is lacking – that is what I miss the most.

While I’m at it I would like to state that wearing warm clothing against the cooling of the weather while in northern areas is a comfort. Many do not have this comfort for they do not have the wherewithal to buy the coveted heavy outer garments that one dons with the change of seasons. The change causes leaves to morph into glorious hues signaling snow and cold you wouldn’t believe if you lived down here where it is almost always summer and almost always shades of green.

Our seasonal changes here in South Florida are not quite the same dramatic thing where renewal is loss of leaves leaving trees bare and stark against darkening skies. We get the darkness but our greenery seems to grow more so because we get a lot of rain.  During our rainy season which is ending along with a plethora of erratic hurricanes, our greens are greener and the flowery plants send forth a riot of color that makes the humidity that sometimes is so overpowering, more bearable.  We do not, since air conditioning, have to swelter. Some of us like to burn in the sun and wear little while playing up to the gods of weather that the sun will some time stop and burn us a little more. But shorts and short sleeves are in order all year around.

I like the idea of renewal.  One of the old science fiction stories I read when in upper grades of elementary schools tried to link up the factors in plants that bring forth new leaves with the revival of a dying human race. A little injection of chlorophyll seemed to be the answer in this story.  It got me to thinking about how we shuck off clothing when it gets warm and pull it over our heads when it gets too cold.  I liked skiing and once I even went ice skating. You don’t see much of that here in Florida.

What you do see, by virtue of the Gulf Stream, are masses of northerners who come down to bask in the sun and swim in warm sea water.  Of course, most swimmers do so in pools seen everywhere, shaded by “Florida Rooms” which are never closed since we do not have seasonal changes.  Renewal is here but not so obvious as the leaves that change color and leave the branches bare.