by Robert Fischer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019m back in the tropics for the winter. Okay, I know it is not exactly the tropics here as it is only 350 miles from Potlatch, but it\u2019s not bad. Certainly not the 25 degrees in the morning I experienced before leaving. Don\u2019t have to break the ice out of the dog dishes down here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There seems to be just a skeleton crew of \u201csnowbirds\u201d around without all the Canadians who usually show up about this time of the year. I\u2019m sure the local economy will sorely miss all the money these \u201ccousins\u201d from the north pump into local businesses every winter. The restaurants, bars and golf courses will lose a lot of easy money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I can\u2019t help but think of our good friends, George and Jean, from Almonte, Ontario, who have spent the last ten winters here. Last year George and I bought a Porsche together with the stipulation that he and Jean would use it in the winter and Betty and I could drive it the rest of the year. It worked out just fine, but this year they are stuck in Canada. Kinda makes me feel guilty; would gladly give up this windfall, however, just to have them back here where they belong. Each December their arrival is like a breath of fresh air for us. We miss them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frankly, I\u2019m worrying about them having to spend their first winter north of the border in a long time. Their blood has probably \u201cthinned out\u201d by now and they might just freeze up there. It happens to all of us as we spend more time in the warmer climes. We probably need to send them a care package – you know, ear muffs, stocking caps, big woolly socks, a couple snow blowers, anti-freeze and car chains. And a case or two of Canadian rye whiskey for the cold and dark nights. Come to think about it, we should worry about all the Canadians who will be no-shows this winter. They bring us more than just money. We\u2019ll miss their Maple Leaf flags and goodwill! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I\u2019m back in the tropics for the winter. Okay, I know it is not exactly the tropics here as it is only 350 miles from Potlatch, but it\u2019s not bad. Certainly not the 25 degrees in the morning I experienced before leaving. Don\u2019t have to break the ice out of the dog dishes down here….<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-382","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-by-robert-fischer"],"yoast_head":"\n