I will caution people that you CAN freeze to death here. In general most would agree that it typically isn't going to happen....FL is not the constant hot place people think. Temps do drop and exposure is common. I've seen it regularly. EMS here pounds into its people ALL the time with trauma patients that "cold blood doesn't clot" and are constantly urging that the patient be wrapped up to prevent heat loss......and this is in the SUMMER!!!! Don't get lulled into a false sense of security that you can't freeze there.

Just one word - hurricanes.

That is how some of the "fresh rain" is delivered, along with the salty sea surge. of course, hurricanes these days are accurately predicted, and measures can be taken (like getting the h*** out). Every place has its own particular hazards and one must learn to cope. I live in SoCal and must be prepared to deal with earthquakes. and they aren't predictable nearly as precisely as H's.

An update on what's happening in Ocala, FL. A six-story building is being built next to Sam's Club, the new equestrian center is progressing slowly, a Jaguar dealership will open this fall near the Porche/BMW dealership and another one-story construction project is going up near our gated community.

And yet, despite all the new constructions and increased traffic on College Rd., the bus system will not be extended to this area until 2026.

Jeanette Isabelle

So Jeanette, do you travel around town strictly by mass transit? That puts your knife thread into context.

2026 — Good to see the planners are thinking ahead...

I can't because the nearest bus stop is ten miles away.

Jeanette Isabelle

For now, this is only hearsay; today a member of our Torah study group said 10,000 more houses would be built in this area.

Jeanette Isabelle

During the gun club meeting, the subject of safety in the community came up. As it is now, there are no sidewalks along the main road. There is no place to walk. I'm not expecting anything to be done about it anytime soon; at least I know I am not the only one who has this concern and people are talking about it.

Jeanette Isabelle

Dollar General is in the process of building a new store two blocks from the back gate of our gated community.

The new store will be right around the corner of Freedom Library. I don't know why anyone would want to live here; I hope this trend continues. Families are moving into the new homes being built in this neck of the woods.

Jeanette Isabelle

There is something good about Florida after all. If you spend any amount of time here, you will develop a sincere appreciation for the fall and winter.

"I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" takes on a new meaning. I'm willing to settle for a white Groundhog's Day.

Jeanette Isabelle

I used to be on our Parish Council (lowest level of government in England). We were concerned about the level of public transport locally so we invited the Chief Executive of the bus company in for a chat.

He stated that he would run any service at any time of the day if he made a profit, his sole criteria.

We persuaded him to trial a service after the school run to the shops and back, gave him routes and timings. He ran an eight month trial and it made money so it runs to this day.

Why not try the same approach?