Every year, we can tell the seasons here in Florida by the color of the license plates. One of the local journalists who wrote a column for a newspaper that is now just a messy part of a conglomerate used to do license plate sightings.

He has moved on to his own publication, but I think of him every fall. This year, we’re facing a hurricane – like tomorrow – so maybe our snow birds will be a little less eager to come visit. (If you need a refresher course on how to read a hurricane map, see this blog post.)
These hurricane supplies might be a little late for the big blow tomorrow, but you could keep them on hand for the next one. Or maybe Prime will deliver in the middle of driving rain …If you purchase something after clicking this link, I might earn a few pennies from the purchase. Thank you!​
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These are the ways we know the snowbirds are back:
- The license plate bingo game is in full swing.
- The lines are longer at the coffee shop.
- The traffic gets a little heavier around the grocery store.
- In the case of a hurricane, people are buying nonsensical items like all the pudding.
- The grocery store shelves are starting to look a little sparse between stockings.
- There are cars randomly changing lanes and then stopping in the road.
- There are long lines at the local Mexican restaurant.
- Horns honk. At us.
- There are a lot of sunburned bodies milling about.
- There are a lot of white arms and legs.
Yes, we’re seeing a smattering of Northeast license plates, and you people from Connecticut, I will remember how you beeped at me for no apparent reason while I was visiting your state last month. Expect the honk to be returned accordingly.