MERRY CHRISTMAS 07

Merry Christmas to one and all who read this. Without a doubt, this has been another hectic holiday season. Usually it was made hectic by trying to balance home and social life with the rigors of working in law enforcement. This year, the "getting into the spirit" has been the culprit. Not only did I have photo jobs, reserves, and motorcycling, but I had to spruce up the old house for Christmas. So, I broke out the outdoor Christmas decorations...all tangled and dusty from sitting out in the garage for a couple of years. I was really getting into setting up a display, but I quickly found out that I need to have a better plan for next year. But I did get some up and I even have the lights set to music. Not as elaborate as some of those displays you see on the internet, but enough to be festive.

Even a trip out to the monthly Plant City Bike Show was part of the holiday routine. Lot of people there for the custom bike contest, music and vendors. The city had pulled out all the stops with the decorations and with the cooler air, about 68, it really felt like the Christmas season. Remember I'm in Florida and this year the expected temperature for Christmas day is going to be 76. So anytime the temps come down under 70...it's cool! Eat your heart out you snowbounders! ;) I won't make it to the Jan '08 show because of a photo job, but that's not a problem. There are several other shows planned for that month that I'm looking forward too.

One of my regular Sunday rides ended up at the Tampa Electric Power Plant called Big Bend. The neat thing about this place is that they have committed to setting up a East India Manatee protection area. The power plant pumps out millions of gallons of hot water into the canal on the side of the plant that leads to Tampa Bay. The manatee's are warm blooded and need warm waters to survive. So rather than migrating farther south and run the risk of dying from predators and worse, man & his power boats, these gentle giants have a better chance of survival. They are also known as "sea cows" and average between 10 & 13 feet long, like this one in the photo. They are protected and any physical interaction with one is a violation of federal law.

Well, my friends, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a safe new year. Remember, don't sweat the small stuff...and it's all mostly small stuff! c-ya