While talking to my son Benjamin on the telephone, I realized he didn't fully realize where we had moved--in relation to the terrain, I mean. He mentioned something about us getting to know our adjacent neighbors, commenting on how we chatted with every one in the neighborhood in Florida when we walked the dogs.
Neighbors? I've posted many pictures of the house, but not the surroundings. Here's the yard and the road in front of the property. (In Coral springs our neighbors were 15 feet away.)
Neighbors? I've posted many pictures of the house, but not the surroundings. Here's the yard and the road in front of the property. (In Coral springs our neighbors were 15 feet away.)
 "Farmer Steve" |  North side of the house  From the road |  South side of the house  The road |
We visited South Florida in the middle of August. That might sound like an odd choice, weather wise, but I had a talk to give at Murder on the Beach Mystery Bookstore, and we wanted to celebrate our anniversary with family.
It gets plenty hot and humid on the Upper Cumberland Plateau—not as hot and humid as South Florida however. The difference is that here it warms later in the day, leaving the mornings cooler so we're free to work outside and not fry. Then as it dinnertime approaches, the world cools again, making walks enjoyable--unless you listen to the sounds coming from the woods. (I've been advised by my Tennessee writing group that I live in the WOODS, not in a forest. More on that topic in OMG #6.)
Now, in mid-September, the difference is more pronounced, even though, I'm told, we're in the middle of an unseasonably warm fall. I'm hoping traditional fall temperatures will be upon us soon.
It gets plenty hot and humid on the Upper Cumberland Plateau—not as hot and humid as South Florida however. The difference is that here it warms later in the day, leaving the mornings cooler so we're free to work outside and not fry. Then as it dinnertime approaches, the world cools again, making walks enjoyable--unless you listen to the sounds coming from the woods. (I've been advised by my Tennessee writing group that I live in the WOODS, not in a forest. More on that topic in OMG #6.)
Now, in mid-September, the difference is more pronounced, even though, I'm told, we're in the middle of an unseasonably warm fall. I'm hoping traditional fall temperatures will be upon us soon.
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The cost of living is different as well. It's common knowledge there is no income tax here. (There is a tax on proceeds from investments in certain circumstances, however.) We got our first full month's bills for gas, electric, and water. The total was half my summer electric bill in South Florida. The cost of real estate taxes, insurance, and car registration are also dramatically different, as is the cost of gas.
 Middle Tennessee gas in mid-August |  Florida gas in mid-August |
The cost of food seems about the same, overall. What is interesting, and annoying, is I couldn't get a turkey for Rosh Hashanah at Kroger. The man at the meat department said they don't get them until late October. Likewise, you can't get turkey broth or challah. An hour and a half long trip to Publix in Knoxville solved all that—we had a function to attend, so we stopped on the way home. There are other things we can't get locally as well, so a trip to Knoxville, which is a nice place to visit, always includes a stop a Publix.
My plan is for OMG #5 to be about making friends.
Later.
GEB
My plan is for OMG #5 to be about making friends.
Later.
GEB
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