New year, new pictures?

Happy New Year?

The cold has stayed with us over the course of the last few weeks and this morning, we woke up to to the mid forties (as usual lately). The weather people announced yesterday that it would get in the low 20s in some places, and I'm assuming it was closer to the northern border of the state (we're talking Georgia area). I didn't pay too much attention to where that level of cold was going to be, as I know the 40-45 degrees are a bit on the cold side for southern Florida (and we wouldn't reach lower than that). 

As I had nothing planned for the day due to it being New Years Day; I didn't have to go work, nor did I make any plans to run errands. I figured most stores that would be open, would be on limited hours, if any hours. Therefore, I went to return some stuff to the library and made my way to the gym.

Driving through the drop off lane at the library, I noticed something hanging on the wall of the sidewalk area. It's not a sidewalk per se, but it's a grassy area that prohibits cars from continuing straight into the building. 

Upon closer (squinting) inspection, the thing I saw in front of me was one of the tree iguanas; the type of lizard that I lovingly refer to as "the plop plops" because you only see them on the ground when it gets too cold. Once the tropics here reach below 45°, the iguanas freeze / go limp, plop to the ground and don't move until they are warmed up.

 

The iguana I saw must have fallen close enough to library and into the sun, because he seemed pretty ready to run when I drove closer to him. 

I've taken a video of him, as I didn't want to get out of my car and disturb his moment in the bright light. Plus, "they" say not to go near these things and move them... the iguanas can still harm you if they feel threatened. 

This is the first time I've captured one of these reptiles on film, where he wasn't a solid color (green, brown, etc.). He must have been so cold, his skin changed and now that he was in the sun, he was turning a good orangey tan (check his head and tail). I guess the Vitamin D is good for everyone? 

It was so weird seeing the plop plop today. My friends said "how cool!!" and my mom's friends said "no!! Too cold!". A bunch of mixed reactions from a bunch of people. The locals didn't want to deal with seeing it and the northerners were amazed I shared pictures and a video. Like me, they're not used to seeing certain things in the wild.

I try to share this stuff when I can. 😁

It's after 7pm as I write this entry, and it's 60° outside (but "Feels like 59"). The windows will be open again tonight, and the longer we're doing this, the less our electric bill has been. We have yet to turn the heat on in this house and we are going on 15 years here (Oh Christ... 15 years?? 😒😧😨🙈) and there's now been way too many times during the winter it got under 70. Which is fine, because I don't do well in the humidity and my mother only likes it because the FPL bill is dirt cheap (we're talking around 75 bucks. In the middle of December). It's not to be confused with me turning a new leaf and liking it here. The lower bill does not equate to low costs of living nor me dancing with rainbows and lollipops. My stance is still the same as it ever was; the crispness makes life a little more manageable. 

Except at my current job when the AC is on in the building all day and I'm sitting at a desk in a sweatshirt because it's super cold in the office and outside. 

But the real temperature drop is out of the house right now and the weather report says it'll be 48° by 5am. We will see what it turns out to be, but I don't expect to be up at that time. I don't want to. 

If I happen to see an iguana out and about on the road again, I'll know it was cold enough that he needs to get warm before he goes back to his perch. 

Until that happens, I think I need to put on some long sleeves and get something to drink. I didn't drink enough water today, and am feeling a little parched. Even though it's cold, you still need to drink. Remember that when you're shoveling this week (because I know my friends in New England got a blast of snow), don't imbibe in any alcohol. Stay warm with tea or coffee. Get some water in you. Alcohol makes things worse. Only have that after you've warmed up and will be inside for a while.

Stay safe and may 2026 be positive for everyone.

Cheers;

See also:

* Photos and video taken on an iPhone 11

* Photos edited (my name) in Photoshop

* Video edited in Pinnacle Studio (with the program's stock music and sound effects)