As the dead of winter freezes in around us, I come to a full appreciation of the snowbird lifestyle I’ve chosen to embrace. I’m from Michigan, and I live there part of the year, but during the colder months I’m able to flock down to Florida. As an author, I’m convinced that the change of setting helps to stimulate creativity and allow me to keep bringing you lots of new thrillers and mysteries.
But, let’s be honest — it’s nice to escape the intensity of the summer Florida heat and the bone-chilling Michigan winters.
I realize that for various reasons, not everyone can switch to a different home whenever the winds change.
So I’ve come up with a list of five ways that anyone can live like a Floridian any time of year, from anywhere in the world:
- Take a cue from Judge Willa Carson, star of my Hunt for Justice Series and enjoy a tropical beverage. Just because you live in a cooler climate doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the taste of a margarita in the winter. That tropical flavor can provide just the zing you need to transport yourself to a laid-back, refreshed state of mind. Food and Wine offers a few ideas about how to put a winter twist on the classic margarita. (The Blood Orange Margarita and the Pear-Cilantro Margarita are on my “must try” list!)
- Slip into a pair of “Flip Flop Slippers.” They’ll give your feet maximum comfort and insulation while still offering that carefree, beachy feel.
- Carry your stuff around in a beach tote with my signature catch phrase emblazoned on it. It’s a must-have for the beach, but works equally well to carry books, a pair of gloves, and a couple of Florida oranges around town during the day!
- Visit Key West virtually through this live Key West webcam: http://southernmostpointwebcam.com/. It shows the southernmost point in the U.S. Key West is one of the many cities in Florida worth visiting.
- My 5th suggestion for how to live like a snowbird from anywhere is to read any one of my books that take place in Florida. As all serious bookworms know, books have that magical power to mentally transport you. The Hunt for Justice Series is based in Tampa, and so is Jack in the Green of my Hunt for Jack Reacher Series, and the False Truth Mystery Serial.
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