"Dear old world, you are lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you." -Anne of Green Gables
This past weekend we escaped to the orange groves for our last time while still living in Orlando. The weather was perfect (not too hot), the smell of the oranges was stronger than ever, the trees were filled with oranges (usually we are scrounging to find some), and our legs got beat up by stinging nettle (again)...but it was worth it.
Before heading in to pick the oranges, we stopped and chatted with the animals. They had cows, a donkey, goats, chickens, a KANGAROO, and more. I was wishing the whole time that the animals and the orchards were my backyard. How amazing would that be? I would do dishes every day with out complaint if I had a window above the kitchen sink that looked out on a backyard with animals, an orchard and kids running around.
This is my favorite time of year here (righ next to crazy rainy season) and it is making it really difficult for me to accept that we are moving soon. I NEVER would have thought I would be sad to move from Florida. But it has taken up a large part of my heart the past two years.
I think that is a good lesson to learn... Any situation, or relationship can be rocky- but that doesn't mean it will stay that way.
To cope with this soon-to-be loss, I plan on taking a picture of the clouds with our polaroid every evening at sunset starting today until we move. Then I can take Florida sunsets with me to wherever we end up.
Last year I got stinging nettle on my feet because I was wearing sandals, so this year we put on our hunter boots and I was so proud of myself for being forward-thinking and protecting our feet. HA. Joke was on me. Should have covered our legs too. Poor Myra's legs were awful and she was so tough about it!
Check out the welts on her leg...
Goodbye, Orange groves. We loved you and loved on you for a beautiful four years!