FLORIDA - 2016, January - House/Pet Sitting - Chapter 3 - The End

Sunrise at the Hillsboro Lighthouse

Over the past week the weather has been unusually cold down here.  At night, our low temps were in the low to mid 40’s with wind chills knocking them down into the 30’s.  Daytime highs ranged from the mid to high 60’s.  For those of you reading this in the northern latitudes, these temps would just fine in February; not here in South Florida.  In February the average low here is 60 and the high is 70.

With that said, I still spent some time fishing, but didn’t catch a damn thing.  With the temps being below average, the waters choppy, and more often than not the sky cloudy, nothing was biting.  And it wasn’t just me, other fishermen out there also.
 

FLORIDA - 2016, January - House/Pet Sitting - Chapter 2 - The middle

Last week I told you about Robert, a local fisherman who invited me to go fishing on his boat.  Well, the weather has been and is forecasted to be unfavorable so we’ve scratched the plans for a while.  We planned a couple different days, both of which had small craft warnings issued due to strong winds and rough seas.

With the unusual barrage of clouds, rain, and wind there wasn’t many outdoor activities I wanted to participate in.  While eating lunch one afternoon I decided to go see the movie “13 Hours”.  It’s a film about what happened during the hours surrounding the killing of a US Ambassador in Benghazi Libya.  Good film, but I don’t expect it to get any awards; but I’m not a big movie viewer and have no idea how the awards are decided.

Surprise Birthday Trip to North Dakota - For my middle daughters birthday

For those of you that know me, and my lifestyle, WOW, that's about the best way to explain this.  Yes, this Florida boy made his way to Grand Forks, North Dakota in late January; usually the coldest time of the year.

And yes, it was cold, the wind blew, and there was snow on the ground.  I'm used to wind and a little chill in the air, but the only white stuff I'm accustomed to, is sand on the beach.

 

FLORIDA - Clearwater - 2016 - House Sitting - Another assignment with friends / clients

I received an email from a house/pet sitting client asking if I was available to watch their home and furry family as they had to leave on a family matter.  Without question, I said yes

It all started a couple of years ago, when I received an email asking if I was available to house/pet sit for a family living close to my home.  Due to prior arrangements, I was not available at that time, nor the second time they contacted me.  But, I was available and anxious to meet with potential clients.

Taken with my dash-cam

Finally, on the third attempt our dates coincided.  Why did Jerry and Marcia continue contacting me to care for their home and furry family?  I like to think it was because prior to sitting, we had the chance to meet each other.  That meeting was not only an 'interview' between homeowner and house sitter, it was the foundation of a friendship.

Since then, I've watched Jerry's and Marcia's home a few times.  Yes, there are still times our travel dates don't workout, but we work through it.