Monday, May 4, 2020

The Merry Merry Month of May


May has always been one of my favorite months. It has so many good things to enjoy...lots of family birthdays and Mother's Day. It just doesn't seem the same this year but it's still a month of celebrations AND hope. 


I felt like celebrating when our governor Ron DeSantis announced that State Parks will reopen this month. I know some places in Florida have problems with crowded trails and beaches but that is NOT the case in North Central Florida! There are lots of nice trails with very few people using them (during normal times when they are open). So it will be very easy to social distance. 


The weather is absolutely gorgeous now too so I'm looking forward to getting out into nature more. I think it's too early (at least for me) to go to the shops and restaurants but I am VERY happy for the Florida Trails to reopen.


And if Governor DeSantis visits my blog today....

THANK YOU! 

What a wonderful job you've done during this terrible time. I appreciate your care and concern and the many hours you've worked to figure out ways to help our state. And I also appreciate that you have kept us informed! 

THANK YOU, Governor DeSantis! 

As 'senior citizens' we'll do our best to follow the guidelines and STAY SAFE!!!


All photos taken at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve, the one trail that has remained open! Thanks to Southwest Florida Water Management District for keeping HTP open (and mowed!) 
I hope things are improving where you live too! 
How are you doing this week?

I'm joining Angie for Mosaic Monday HERE . 



33 comments:

Karen and Gerard said...

I am very grateful at least we can get to parks and walk in our neighborhood.

Jeannie said...

Your mosaic pictures are gorgeous!

I'm glad your governor is opening your state back up. Tennessee opened back up Thursday except for a few things. It is the beauty saloons I am wishing will reopen! I look like a scraggly scarecrow. We didn't do anything different and are still being careful. You do the same. Just because you "can" doesn't mean you "should".

I'm in the area of Tennessee that got hit with another horrible storm yesterday. We were without power for a long time but I solved it by going to bed. You don't know it's dark if you are snoozing. We are fine except for the roof shingle I see out in the yard. That seems to be happening more often now. It might be time for a new roof.

Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry

Lowcarb team member said...

Such a lovely post, great pictures.

Here in the UK many places are shut so walking can be a little restrictive …
Eddie and I do our best to take advantage of the daily exercise break we are allowed, and we don't do too badly so I will not moan, only to say it will be lovely when 'lockdown' rules can be relaxed a little.

The important thing is to stay safe and well … and enjoy visiting our lovely friends in blogland.

Have a good week.

All the best Jan

Tom said...

...did you dance around the Maypole?

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I am happy for your that the trails are opening. Beautiful photos.

Edna B said...

It's wonderful that your trails are opening up again. Enjoy your hikes. I love all your photos and can't wait to see more of them. Have a great day, hugs, Edna B.

Vee said...

The car wash is open 👍🏼. The hair salons are not and I look terrible. It is good that more trails are opening up. People need to be outside in the beautiful month of May.

Arlene G said...

I went out by myself for the first time on Saturday and it really felt strange after being cooped up in the house for so long. During quarrantine, Marvin and I went everywhere together. I made a Hobby Lobby Trip and it was so fun to be out and looking at pretty things. So glad you get to go back to some of your favorite hiking places, Diane.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Such beautiful pictures. I love that you get out and enjoy the state parks and trails. You are in a great area for that. I am happy that we have some peaceful woodsy areas where we can walk here with no one around, and that has kept us "moving" during these days. I am gradually rebuilding my strength and can walk a little farther each day. Yay!! Yes, I believe our Governor DeSantis has done a great job. He is fair and realistic . We are very fortunate to live in Florida for many reasons!!!

Jenn Jilks said...

Beautiful trails!

Catherine Holman said...

Have fun getting out there and hiking! We've been working outside in our yard and hope to get to the parks again soon. We'd love to go camping.

Inger said...

That last mosaic is beautiful and the ones on top are interesting. Something new? I'm so glad that your trails are opening again, I know how much you love to be out hiking them. Looking forward to lots of new pictures from your hikes.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

It is great that the Florida parks and businesses are opening up again. Not having any crowds of people is nice too. I just like being around nature and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Your photos and mosaics are pretty. Have a happy day and a great new week!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Gorgeous photos from the preserve and I love your mosaics. Stay safe!

Linda said...

I know how much you love hiking the trails so I am so happy for you!
Wednesday I am going for a hike. I'm going to walk the entire perimeter of the ranch! Taking a sturdy cane along with me and my phone and some water or tea. Will wear my high boots as this is snake country. I will think of you when I start out!

Penelope Notes said...

Such a creative arrangement of collages! Finding solitary places to walk shouldn't be too difficult luckily in our parts of the world but it's too easy to get lulled into thinking things are okay too soon.

Gillena Cox said...

Happy walking Diane. We are still in isolation, and for our wellbeing
Thanks for dropping by my blog today

Much💛🌺💛love

Dawn said...

I like the top two, so different from the normal square photos. Very appealing to the eye.
Dawn aka Spatulas On Parade

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I'm glad your local state parks are re-opening so you can revisit them. Diane. We feel very very fortunate to gave many trails and a beautiful open space park right in our neighborhood so we can get out frequently. We still bring a mask when we hike just in case we see people and can't socially distance we put the mask on. Many of the other people we see occasionally do the same for us. I hope that will continue as long as needed.

Our state of Colorado now has a "safer at Home" theme where some things are re-opening slowly, but the older and vulnerable are asked to continue to stay at home as much as possible.

carol l mckenna said...

Wonderful and creatively displayed nature shots ~ glad you have nature places nearby ~
MA doesn't open up till May 18th ~ sigh. Then that will be another whole story.

Be Well,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

HappyK said...

I love this time of year. We even had a whole day of sunshine today. :)
May is my birthday month too.

Sandy said...

I really want to hit the beach to walk, but both of my kids didn't go after arriving and seeing so many there. It was quite crowded according to them. I hope everyone will do their part so we can keep it open. I think Governor DeSantis has done a great job also. He seems to think logically.

Terri D said...

I agree that Gov. De Santis has done a great job for us. I am happy things are opening up, albeit slowly. Many of our restaurants are adding outside seating and I will be comfortable sitting outside, I think. We are tired of being inside, like everyone. Neither of us can walk far. I'm looking forward to that changing by the end of the summer! Have a good week!

Barbara said...

I join you in thanking our Governor DeSantis for all his work on our behalf with this COVID event. And during all of this, his wife gave birth to a baby girl!!! Much has been expected of him during this trying time.

stardust said...

May is one of my favorite months, too. Not hot or cold, just right weather and air is fresh and fragrant. Your mosaics are all lovely and I felt strange sensation of fresh verdure in the second one. I’m happy for you that you have nice, sparse trails and reliable, dependable leader.

Yoko

Angie said...

Diane - you have inspired me to write a thank you note to our Governor - I think he has done a spectacular job. I'm with you - we are not quite ready for restaurants, but we are definitely ramping up our outdoor activities - tomorrow I will go for a bike ride with several of my lady friends. Stay well, and thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!!

Jill Harrison said...

So glad your State government is doing a good job keeping people safe in these stressful times. And so glad to hear you can now walk on the trails. Camping re-opened here this week, but with a wild storm here the last couple of days and winter on its way I don't think there will be much camping happening. Stay, safe, have a good week, and thank you for visiting my blog this week.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Seems to me that the governor is just doing the job you elected him to do.

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

Hello Dear Diane!
Thank you very much for a wonderful walk and showing wonderful nature.
I am glad that parks and forests are again at our disposal.
I am delighted with your very beautiful photos.
Hugs and greetings from spring Poland.
Lucja

Creations By Cindy said...

I love your walks! Always so lovely. So glad to see phase one open in Florida. Of course I am being very careful too. With asthma and immune issues at times I have to be for sure. I just keep trusting the Lord though I have so many mixed emotions. But I try real hard to follow the laws of the land and our Lord. I hope that you have a beautiful day dear lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

That is such a beautiful park to talk walks and photos of nature. Thanks for always sharing your pretty photos of the places you hike to. Enjoy the week.

Teresa said...

es un lindo paseo. Saludos.

BeachGypsy said...

These are such pretty pictures and I sure would LOVE TO FIND a trail like that to walk on here!! May is my favorite of my favorites...ha ha!! Lol theres May Day, Memorial Day, Mother's Day, my b/day and our wedding anniversary!! It's always a full and fun month. This year sure looks to be..........strange.