South Under Seige?

Two major Supreme Court decisions in the past week, both against the conservative right. Lots of kerfuffle about the Confederate flag recently as well. By listening to the media, one would think the entire South was up in arms. But at work, while shopping, and while seeing the neighbors, all I've heard on the topic is silence. It seems, to the folks around here, that these are non-issues.
Now, of course many Southerners don't exactly include Florida when they talk about Southern Culture, but up here in Jacksonville we tend to refer to the area a South Georgia, so I'd think *this* area counts. It still seems these are non-issues.

When I speak to co-workers in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi....nothing. And we *do* chat about happenings in the world now and then.

Florida still has the Largest Confederate Flag. 

The mayor of Tamps would like it removed now, though it is not within city limits. A news article notes "Ultimately it will come down to a vote in South Carolina, and as the House considers the governor's call to remove the flag, people in other states are weighing in on their own policies. Here in Tampa, Mayor Bob Buckhorn said there's not much city leaders can do about a large Confederate flag that flies high above Interstate 4 near I-75, but he hopes that one day it will make its way into a museum. "We can add our voices and ask them to look at the conscience and look at their soul and recognize what a hateful symbol that is of a dark chapter in America's history- and recognize that people are offended by that, people are hurt by that," he said. The flag is the largest Confederate flag in the world and it's part of a Confederate memorial on private property, which complies with county codes. And the owner said when he built it he would not give in to critics."

It's nice to know that, around here, regardless of private opinions, nobody seems to want to push the ideas of promoting the Confederate flag, opposing gay marriage, or having millions (a LOT of them in the South) lose their health insurance. Real people can see the bigger picture, unlike many politicians and a lot of the media.

Clouds

Clouds in Florida are really cool. They help to form beautiful sunrises and stunning sunsets. 

The most common cloud along the coastal vicinity in north Florida, at least, is the Cumulonimbus calvus. Wikipedia says:"Cumulonimbus calvus is a moderately tall cumulonimbus cloud which is capable of precipitation, but has not yet reached the tropopause, which is the height of stratospheric stability where it forms into a Cumulonimbus Capillatus (fibrous-top) or cumulonimbus incus (anvil-top)."

WiseGEEK says "As the sun warms the ground, air begins to rise into the atmosphere. If enough humidity or water vapor is present, clouds can form. Cumulonimbus formation begins with smaller cumulus clouds, which do not indicate severe weather. If the rising air continues to push upward, the cumulus clouds can rise to towering cumulus, with heights of tens of thousands of feet or meters. The formation of rain drops releases heat, and enough energy can be generated to form an increasingly large cloud. When lightning begins to occur, a cumulonimbus cloud has developed, and a thunderstorm is now present. Thunderstorms can occur as a single cloud formation, often called an air mass storm or isolated cell. They can also be lined up along a frontal boundary, which is the line between a warmer, moist air mass and a colder, dry air system. These lines of storms are often called squall line storms, and can create severe weather."

Florida has regular summer afternoon storms, which tend to last only a half hour or less. They haven't hit yet (though the heat certainly has) but the clouds tell us they are on their way. 

I love watching the clouds here.

Heat

Heat

It’s hot. Really hot. As I write this it is 97 degrees here in Jacksonville, though it topped out at 99 when I peeked earlier. It was so hot I didn’t even get this posted until Monday. 

The average high temp in June is ‘only’ 90, with the lows usually dipping all the way down to 70. This week, we’ll top 100 most days, and some won’t get out of the 80’s at night.

Last Friday my boss and I went out to find some of our drivers on route and give them a cold Gatorade or water. Those poor guys were melted, and it was ‘only’ 95 that day. We’ll both be going out separately this week doing the same thing. It’s hard to remind our guys if they are breaking a safety rule when it is this oppressively hot, but that’s part of the job as well.

It’s going to be cooler way south in Fort Myers and West Palm this week – what gives?

Lawns and Grass

Lawns in Florida are weird. Everyone has this weird grass that looks suspiciously close to what we called "crabgrass' back home. It has these fat 'vine' runners which will cover your driveway of you don't have a bladed edger. See the ads for weed whips which can pivot and edge your lawn? Not against this 'grass.'

Grasses grown in Florida are maintained in a totally different way from those grown in the northern regions of the United States. Northern-grown grasses (e.g., fescue, bluegrass, ryegrass) will grow in Florida only during fall, winter, and early spring months, and will not survive year-round.

Most southern lawn grasses have a coarser leaf texture than those grown further north, especially Florida's three most-used lawn grasses: bahiagrass, St. Augustine grass, and centipede grass. I think I have centipede grass, though it seems even St. Augustine grass has the vine-y runners.

From a lawn & garden maintenance company:'Improved Bermudagrass is a high maintenance turf, due to the requirements and amount of care needed for it be at its best. When used as a home lawngrass, it is recommended having a professional lawn care company to maintain it properly. When maintained correctly it is a beautiful turfgrass, homeowners use it for that “golf course look”.'

You don't want to lie down on this grass - not only are there fire ants and other nasties, but the grass is rough and sometimes even sharp. Not fun. The only 'plus' is that while up north folks don't need to mow since the grass is under snow, you also don't mow in the 'winter' in north Florida because that's the 'dry' season and the grass goes dormant. In the summer, sometimes mowing weekly does not keep up with some of the weeds. Especially in spring, they pop up and send flowers shooting up knee-high even while the grass is just waking up.

Oh well, at least we 'do' have a dormant season, unlike the lawns in south Florida.