Category: Uncategorized

Living Slow in Djupivogur

Dear Readers,

I apologize for my long absence from my blog. Would you believe I was stuck in an elevator for three months? (No. I didn’t think you would accept that excuse.) Before 2025 slides into 2026 I’d like to share a travel experience with you. When I was young I made a list of places I wanted to see in my life and Iceland was at the top of my list. The land of fire and ice intrigued me, but my dream seemed out of reach.

Finally in 2025 as senior citizens, my husband and I took the opportunity to book a Viking cruise which circled Iceland. We visited many towns I could write about, but Djupivogur is a port which stands out above the rest.

Djupivogur might be one of the world’s smallest towns, but it is grand with natural beauty. Located on a fjord in eastern Iceland, the surrounding landscape features snow-capped mountains, black sand beaches, and magma dykes formed by volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. In winter the Northern Lights dance across the sky.

A trading center since the 16th century, Djupivogur shipped salted meats, fish, and Icelandic wool to Europe throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Fishing remains a significant part of the village’s economy, but in recent years the tourist industry has grown.

During the summer months the population swells, but the number of people who live in Djupivogur year round is only 450. Although the town welcomes outsiders, they are a tight-knit community. Due to their low numbers adults serve multiple roles. Our local guide worked in a fish oil processing plant, and served as an on-call plumber. He also belonged to the emergency search and rescue team. This is the kind of town where everyone knows one another. Folks are willing to drop whatever they are doing to help out when needed.

I was interested to learn that Djupivogur has adopted the cultural trend known as “Cittaslow” (slow city). This philosophy is dedicated to eco-friendly practices and the preservation of a town’s cultural heritage. The citizens do not want commercialization to take over. Which happens often in scenic areas that give way to the rise of fast food and gift shops selling products made elsewhere. Djupivogur is one of 260 small towns around the world committed to a less stressful and more community oriented way of life.

Like many of the Icelandic guides we met, our escort moved from Djupivogur to further his education in the “big city” of Reykjavik. Once he completed the requirements to become a licensed plumber, he returned because he found city life too stressful. As we walked the quiet streets he asked, “Do you wonder what we do for entertainment in a town of 450 people?” His question captured our interest as we climbed a small hill toward what appeared to be a rusty oil tank. Upon our arrival he announced we would be hearing a concert in Tankurinn, a fish oil tank which had been transformed into an exhibition space for music.

He opened the door and we took our seats in the “auditorium” of sorts. Plastic patio chairs were lined up across from burning candles on the floor. After the vocalist entered the tank, the door closed and she commenced to sing. I was amazed to hear sounds unlike any I’d ever heard before. The acoustics and reverberations made it seem as if many more singers were in the room.

Our visit to Djupivogur gave me new appreciation for small town life. I can understand why our guide decided there is no place else he would rather live. If you read this post and decide you want to move there, please don’t. Too many people would spoil everything.

The moral of my story is this: Never stop dreaming. What seems far away today may be closer than you think.

For those of you who are interested, I am creating an author newsletter to stay in contact with readers of my children’s books. “Time Together” will include ideas for fun activities parents and grandparents can do with their young children. If you want to subscribe to my newsletter click here and complete the information. Include “subscribe to newsletter” in the message box.

Going Batty in Baldwin Park

Floridians love the sunshine and the beach, but we all know there are trade-offs to living here. In the summer we not only endure humidity and storms—we also endure living with bats. As someone who has lived in the Orlando neighborhood of Baldwin Park, I have first hand knowledge of these flying furry animals.

Bats are drawn to the natural environment around Lake Baldwin. Animals migrate to find food, and bats take no exception. Summer temperatures in the mid-nineties and frequent rainstorms make Florida the perfect environment for mosquitos, and bats love to eat mosquitos. That’s a good thing right?

It’s good until bats take up residence in your house. The pitched roofs of many Baldwin Park homes invite bats to roost in the attic by squeezing through any opening they might find. Recently a Baldwin Park homeowner told me he heard a strange sound in his living room. The next morning he discovered a bat on the floor of the dining room. It was still alive, but could not raise itself to fly. Quick thinking, he captured the animal in a pool net and released it outside before any harm was done.

Later the homeowner contacted a “bat specialist” for advice, and set up an appointment for a home inspection. The specialist said it’s uncommon for a bat to enter the living area of a home, but it’s not impossible. The inspection revealed there was a colony of bats living in the attic. Since they are a protected species, it’s illegal to disturb their “roost” until August 15!

Attic Nurseries

Hearing about my neighbor’s experience prompted me to know more. My internet research informed me the Brazillian free-tailed bat is the main species found in Orlando. Their maternity season begins April 15 and ends August 15. The female bats gather in dark enclosed spaces (often in an attic) to give birth and nurse their babies. I was surprised to learn that bats are mammals. They even have a belly-button! The babies are very dependent upon their mothers until they are around eight weeks old. Then the juveniles start to find food for themselves.

August 15—Eviction Day

A few years ago bats roosted in our Baldwin Park townhome. Once I was walking our dog at sunrise, and I saw dozens of bats enter a tiny opening in the dormer above our front porch. Their guano (feces) made a nasty mess of our front steps. Throughout the month of July my husband cleaned the porch daily. On August 15, a professional installed a one-way door in the dormer, so the bats could fly out but not return. This is a humane way to eradicate bats from a building without harming them.

Are Bats Dangerous?

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, healthy bats avoid humans. Less than one percent of the bat population contracts rabies. Even so, bats should not be handled—especially those that are active during daylight hours. All bat bites should be washed immediately with soap and water and a physician should be consulted.

Bat guano is a serious health risk for homeowners. When guano exists in an attic or crawlspace, the microscopic spores can be inhaled by humans and cause a serious respiratory infection called histoplasmosis. If they eat the guano, Pets can also become infected.

Why are Bats Protected?

Over half of bat species are in serious decline due to habitat loss, climate change, and a fungal infection called white-nose syndrome. Even though bats cause problems for homeowners, we need them. They pollinate plants and devour their body weight in insects every night. Without bats we wouldn’t have bananas, avocados, and mangos. These heroes of the night are more helpful than harmful.

A Common-Sense Solution

If homeowners want to evict bats from their attics, but not leave them homeless, a bat house might work. Homeowners need to contact their HOA to learn the regulations for their neighborhood.

August 15 is almost two months from now. Until then, my neighbor will need to keep his pool net handy!

The Serious Cereus

Buzzards glide in the cloudless sky

Rock squirrels hurry on the ground

Shadowed by the prickly pear,

The Cereus makes no sound.

This lazy cactus leans upon

Support from kindly neighbors

Waiting for the perfect time

To begin its covert labors.

Once a year the sunset beckons—

And Cereus buds unfold

Their delicate white petals

With centers of soft gold.

A fragrance like vanilla

Spills forth from every core

Luring a local sphinx moth

To pollinate…before…

The first light of the morning

Forever shuts each flower

Without complaint or question,

They meet their final hour.

The secret of the Cereus

Revealed one moonlit night

Fulfill the Maker’s purpose

Inside the span of life.

Buzzards glide in the cloudless sky

Rock squirrels hurry on the ground

Life resumes in the desert heat

But the Cereus makes no sound.

Dear Reader,

“The Serious Cereus” is a revision of a poem which first appeared on my blog entitled “The Secret of the Cereus” in 2016. Check it out. I include much more information about this interesting cactus.