Key Deer

One of the most unique things about living on our island is the endangered Key Deer, a sub-species of the Virginia White-tailed Deer.  It's believed that Key Deer were stranded here after the Wisconsin Glacier melted thousands of years ago and formed the islands after the sea level rose.  They are small - only about 3ft tall - and, sadly, many of them are not afraid of humans at all.  Here's a picture of one that walked right up to me and the kids this morning.

If you see deer, please don't feed them!  This makes them lose their fear of humans, which makes them way more susceptible to getting hit by cars, attacked by dogs, and transmitting or catching diseases.  If they come around human subdivisions more, then they are more likely to do annoying things like rummage in trashcans and eat all our plants!  While it is irritating to have to drive slow on the roads and cage every plant and tree in my yard so they don't eat or rub their antlers on them, it is really neat to have these gentle, beautiful creatures walking around everywhere I look!  Besides.....they were here first.

Trampoline Fun

Have you spent much time jumping on a trampoline lately? I highly recommend it!  It is hilariously, seriously SO much fun (and great exercise)!  As kids, we had one in our yard in Jupiter, Florida.  I remember so many hysterical times with my sister and my friends on that thing!  We used to catapult each other - a heavier person jumps at the same time as a lighter person and makes the light one go FLYING.  It's a wonder we didn't break our necks....  One time, I catapulted my sister (accidentally, of course ;-)....) OFF the trampoline into the nearby starfruit tree!  She landed like a crab sprawled IN the tree and miraculously did NOT get hurt.  We have never laughed harder.  I have no idea how my mom didn't have a heart attack holding her breath waiting for one of us to hurt ourselves on that thing! 

These days, we have a big safety net surrounding the one for our kids.  WAAAAY safer.  Phew.  But it still SO MUCH FUN!  The kids and I chase each other 'round and 'round and jump until one of us collapses from dizziness or exhaustion.  It is a blast.  I love to watch their little smiling faces or hear their hearty laughs on that thing.  Just great fun.  Here's a picture of one of my monkeys jumping this evening right before Daddy called us up for our bq dinner. :)