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Lawn Sprinklers I took Melissa and our cat Edgar Allan to visit her parents in South Carolina. Meanwhile, Nova Mae and I continued to Florida. I’ve been trying to get down to Tampa to help my cousin with some house repairs. However, being one who enjoys cold weather much more than hot, I did not want to work in Florida in the summer. So, December is a good month for a northern Minnesota man to visit Florida.

However, the southern climate and lifestyle differences still required some acclamation, even in the winter.

We were driving in South Carolina when I smelled a sweet fragrance in the air. It was a familiar scent, but I couldn’t place it for sure. Finally, as we came around the corner, I blurted out, “Look, honey! That guy is mowing his lawn! It’s December; where’s his snow blower?” Minnesotans are not ccustomed to seeing people

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cutting grass in Decem- sprinkler systems came on, startling Nova Mae. ber.

(They water their lawns In Florida, the daytime at night so they can highs were in the upmow them during the per seventies and lower day. Go figure.) The eighties, and it was sprinkler heads are humid. A little too warm very low to the ground, for my liking, but the lo- so the blades will clear cal folks thought it was them when mowing. great. I shouldn’t comThe heads on the sideplain; we were working walk’s edge are aimed in an air-conditioned at the lawn, so I didn’t building. I learned to get wet. However, adjust quickly and found Nova, walking in the the cool nights quite grass, caught the full pleasant. spray from many direcThe neighborhood was tions. I don’t know why it alarmed her as it did. different at night. The cityscape lights reflected on the calm bay water. Boats decorated with Christmas lights passed quietly, and cool breezes came in from the Gulf of Mexico.

Nova and I only take short potty walks during the day. Then after the sun set, we’d take advantage of the cooler evenings for our twomile walks. The night walks are full of adventure.

We were walking through the quiet residential area when Nova suddenly started hopping around in the grass, tugging and pulling on her leash like a crazy dog! At first, I thought maybe she had seen a rattlesnake or something. But, then, I nearly died laughing when it occurred to me what was the matter.

The neighbor’s lawn

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Placing her foot on the water head would change the direction of the spray. I’d been soaked more than once due to Nova’s antics.

I think she was doing it intentionally. Last night, she got me again: “Come on, Nova Mae,” I complained, “You’re getting my pants all wet!”

Nova laughed with vengeful delight, “It’s not so funny when the spray bottle is in the other paw now, is it?”

The hard plastic handle bounced and skidded across the sidewalk as the leash recoiled to her, standing in the wet grass. I growled, “Nova, sit!” The canine sat while I walked over to pick up the dog leash.

The lawn was saturated, and I could feel the We’ve used a squirt water seeping into my gun or spray bottle at “That’s right,” she said home to train Nova. For while adjusting her foot mesh-top tennis shoes.

I was soaked from head example, if she tries to to continue sending to toe. The night temeat the sunflower seed showers of water my peratures were in the in the bird feeder, we way. “Go for some more low sixties, and when will give her a squirt of of that irresistible sunyou’re wet, that’s cold – water. Unfortunately, flower seed, Dad.” She that training method was having the time of (Just the Other Day cont’d on was short-lived. Nova pg 4) her life. Just then, the soon learned to lap the sprinkler system shut water stream in midair Ray’s off. with her tongue. She Longbranch was just as quick to try Nova looked as if she’d Homemade 1/2 lb. Tenderloins & Hamburgers catching the water from seen a ghost. “Uh-oh,” Drakesville, IA • 722-3355 the sprinklers.

By the third night of walking, Nova anticipated the sprinklers coming on. She would run and play in the water as if they had been activated solely for her enjoyment. Nova is an intelligent dog who wasted no time locating the source of the water. She would snap and bite at the water from the sprinkler head; sometimes, stomping them with her foot.

I ordered her, “Nova Mae! Leave it!”

she said, then ran away from me, knowing her water gun was out of ammo. When she reached the end of the leash, she jerked the handle out of my wet hand.

DECEMBER 14, 2022

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(Just the Other Day cont’d from pg 2)

even in Florida.

I couldn’t stay mad at Nova; she was just having fun. Finally, I picked up the leash handle from the grass and gave her a rub on her wet head. “Come on, you goofball. Let’s go home.” With each step I took, I could feel the water sloshing inside my shoes, gushing between my toes.

I enjoyed the Christmas lights on different houses as we walked toward the apartment.

They were pretty, but to me, they’re just not the same without snow.

So, I started singing, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know.

Where the treetops glis- have snow and mistleten, and children listen, toe and presents under the tree….” to hear sleigh bells in the snow….”

In a week, Nova and I will head north. First, Back at the house, I we’ll pick up Melissa dried Nova with her towel; then, I took a hot and Edgar Allan in South Carolina, then shower. I stood under the showerhead, think- drive to Minnesota; it’s the better share of two ing about the people thousand miles from watering their lawns. here to home. I smiled It still seemed odd to as it occurred to me: me to be running lawn sprinklers in December, Minnesotans also use but this is Florida – not lawn sprinklers in the winter. But we don’t use Minnesota. them to make the grass Ah, Minnesota; home. grow.

Suddenly I felt lonely, maybe a little homesick. Driving on I-35, just south of the twin cities, I So, I started singing pass Buck Hill Ski Area again because everyone sings in the shower, in Burnsville, Minnesota. They frequently have right? “I’ll be home for their giant sprinklers Christmas; you can running to make snow. count on me. Please

Snow is a meteorological phenomenon that has a powerful effect on everyone. Minnesotans like it so much that we use lawn sprinklers to make more snow for playing. Meanwhile, many people migrate to Florida (and other southern states) to escape the snow.

Without snow, Floridians are forced to use their lawn sprinklers to grow grass because they apparently like mowing their lawn all year. But, Florida lawn sprinklers are also a great source of evening entertainment for crazy dogs visiting from Minnesota.

DECEMBER 14, 2022