Natie M. December in Florida

Hello! Sorry for the long interval between postings.  The rest of the passage south on the ICW past Peck Lake was one of voyeuristic boating past the backyards of the Florida's wealthy elite and waiting for the the two or so dozen draw bridges between Jupiter Beach and Port Everglades inlet to open.  A little wrinkle was when within 2 days of my scheduled arrival time, the homeowner I had arranged dockage with, informed me that He had rented the spot out from under me.   This resulted for a time in me "loitering my way" southwards, as my family and me looked for alternates. One interesting anchorage was a basin like little spot right off the ICW in Pompano.  It was like anchoring in a bathroom sink having been dug out in a large circle just off the ICW.   Fortunately, the original dock/homeowner was able to make some space for me and I am currently tied up in his backyard just off the ICW in Ft Lauderdale.  In other words I have through the use of Graig's list found a homeowner who after paying millions for a lot and house with ocean access and who is willing to lease some dock space to a vagrant transient in a little blue boat.  It's a sheltered and secure area with minimal tidal current.  Its bikable  from my Mom's house and the Natie M. is watched over by a large Buddha head in the backyard (positive karmic generator).  I am currently spending some time with my mother and brothers and doing some final upgrades on the Natie M before a December 26th departure for the Bahamas.  The weather has been, well, how can I put this delicately for my friends currently ensconced behind the frost line,  NICE.   When I get down with the traffic, noise and congestion of southern Florida, I remind myself that I could be in the traffic, noise and congestion where I sailed from, ONLY I would be COLD.  I will be remaining here in the land of impervious surfaces, sprawl and drainage canals, until the end of December, at which time I will continue my voyage south with a brief trip to the Bahamas.  Until then, I will be working on my Mom's house (such a good son!) and slipping to the beach to play with my stand up paddle board and providing entertainment to the vacationing families on the beach.   In the meantime, wishing everyone a happy holiday season and hope to hear from you.  Mark