"Statistics..."

The Census Bureau has determined that Florida is currently the 4th most populated state in the U.S..   Even though its population rate of growth has declined in the last two years, it is still expected to grow by another 400,000 residents to overtake New York that is currently in third position.

Nevertheless, it has experienced the worst real estate year in recorded history.  It has very limited available developable land...

Real estate values have dropped another 12% average this year and each year for the last four years, but most real estate tax bills have increased each of these years. Its homeowners' insurance rates have just gone up between 12 and 40% this year, too.

One in six residents are on food stamps.

It is ranked 50th in the number of government employees per person...one per one hundred residents.

It is ranked 47th in the quality of its education, and that is after it has "improved" its position in the last few years.

It has the oldest average age population.

Medical care is ranked one of the lowest in the U.S.

Disney World, Orlando, is the number one destination for foreign visitors to the U.S..

What do these, and other statistics really mean?

"Modern Families..."

Twenty-nine years ago, and new to West Palm Beach, Florida, from Princeton, I was one of the first residents to move into one of 100 newly-constructed contemporary Cubist Deco townhouses.  I chose a unit that overlooked the pool and lake (after all it is Florida).  The first day there was sunny, and I heard splashing, so I looked out and saw a couple with their seven year old daughter and four year old son playing in the pool. I went out, introduced myself, and told them that they were a beautiful family..."We are newly divorced, but want to remain good friends for the kids!"...We laughed and became great friends thru the years and their life relationships...

One football game, the woman was there with her ex husband, their kids, her ex live-in, her current live-in, and his mother and his ex-wife and his children...and her ex husband's next ex-wife and their children, and his current live-in, all attendance to watch the game!

Years later, we found ourselves living in the same community again.  At this time, in their four bedroom two bath home, she lived with her elderly mother, her two teenage children, her current live-in, his elderly mother, and his two teenage children, and their two dogs and cat!  It was quite a household.

Last weekend, her now 36 year old daughter, her husband and her 4-year old daughter celebrated a second birthday for their son.  The 32 year old son was there without his live-in twin who was with her mother at a bridal shower. My friend's latest live-in for the last 19 years was now her current husband.  His mother, now 92 who just moved-in with another 92 year old, and their son, his live-in, and their newly born daughter were there to celebrate with other close friends! 

Modern families branching out as time marches on...

"Horoscopes"

I check my horoscopes in our local newspaper nearly daily...and sometimes they are "right on"!  That was the case yesterday with this, my Leo entry...

"You are highly involved in life, and the level of attention you give your interests can sometimes be downright inconvenient.  But the joy you feel being in the mix of things makes it all worthwhile."