BigTom

Great seeing another report form you, never been to the Christmas Party and really enjoyed reading about it.

Love your photos, don't worry about the ones you reject, I had a friend that took photos for a living and he told me if he get one good shot out of 2 rolls of 35mm film he was  happy and sometimes he only got one good shot out of 10 rolls. This was a fellow who traveled all over the world taking photos at important events like super bowls,  and world leaders for famous magazines and such.

Why spend that amount of money on something with all bad reviews that might last a week, when with a small amount of labor you can build one that will last, mine is at least 5 years old and going strong

Gators feed at night, dusk is when they are beginning to feed. If you want to see gators go out late at night with a strong light and you will find them almost anywhere there is water. There are more gators in Florida than most realize.

1 hour ago, WannaBeImagineer said:

Tom,

• I was under the impression that a ticket was good for the whole family/room?  I haven't done this but I'm planning .to in December so I really don't ko

Did you see something different?

 

Thanks,

WBI

When we did this last year, it was 1 ticket for 1 house per room. We only took 2 kids so there was no problem. This year another member of family is joining us with 2 kids and we don't want to leave anyone out.

We have a reservation for a cruise on the Dream on November 17. The problem is the kids want to do thew gingerbread houses again this year,  the problem is they only allow one ticket per room, we have 4 kids and only 3 rooms. Was wondering if there was any fiends going on that trip that were not planning to make gingerbread houses that might pick up a ticket for us. There is no charge and all you have to do is go to service desk and request the ticket as soon as you board. Thank you, BigTom

Good start, keep up the good work

2 minutes ago, Katman1356...Jason said:

Tom I sent you an email. 

Yes, I have got to send you a new card number, how is the best way, my old one got hacked and canceled.

14 hours ago, thegooftroopfla said:

We finally got it after trying a couple times a day. Yesterday my wife was down in bed all day. She kept checking every 15 minutes and it finally popped up around 630 pm

Glad you got it, was about the time I canceled ours and hoped a Fiend would get it.

People from up north don't know how hot the sun is down here and a lot get burned bad, so cover up and stay in the shade as much as possible when visiting us. Good trip report, come back to see us again.

Great photos, always wanted to go to that area, but it is a long way from here and work interferes  with pleasure. Keep up the good report

Saw where Disney Dream backed into dock and needs a dent removed

16 minutes ago, mouseketab.....Carol said:

I'm going to host one on Sat, the 28th. We're going to wander Food and wine on the 30th, and folks are welcome to join us handing out candy on the 31st. Full hookup loop, hopefully 1700

Was just wondering if I should bring some watermellons, my neighbor has 50 acres planted which should be ready to start cutting in about 2 weeks and I can get a few to bring if anyone is interested.

Is there going to be a get together at Halloween?

Quote

Fort Fiend signs are not Disney specific. They are Hinting at Fort Wilderness, but are suitable any where and promote this group.

6 hours ago, Seals said:

Honest question because I really don't know -- can you explain the connection here.  Are orange groves closing because they can't find workers because everyone thinks they need a college degree?   I used to love seeing orange groves when visiting Florida as a kid. That makes me sad. 

There are a lot of reasons why the citrus industry is closing in Florida, one main reason is the free trade, it is cheaper to grow oranges where labor is cheaper than it is in Florida. Also there are not many small groves left, I have about 50 acres in trees and am one of the smallest growers I know. 20-30 years ago you could make good money on 10 acres, but now you would be loosing money on anything under 40 acres. Government regulations have increased work and cost to the farmer. one example, I have to measure all the water I irrigate with and report it to the state every month, the state comes around several times a year and checks to make sure I am doing everything the way they want it, even if it makes no difference, I have to stop and put up with them. I also have to have my pump and well and water meter certified every 5 years at my expense and report what crops I am watering every year.

   There are not any small processors, in this area there are just 2, Cutrale and Tropicana,  they set the price we get and we have to take it because they have so many acre both here and in Brazil the don't really need our fruit. They set the price and set the time to pick and how many they will take a day, This is the first year they have set a max price we can get regardless of what the fruit will bring on the open market.

Prices of chemicals and equipment have gone up making it harder to make a profit and a lot are just selling out to get out of the business

If you like Florida orange juice, you might better stock up.  I just read an article stating 70% of Florida crop was lost and combined with the diseases problems we are having, might be the end of Florida's orange crops. This affects more than growers, a lot of processing plants have already closed and with no oranges the rest will as well as truckers, equipment dealers, mechanics, and it trickles on down , even cow feed  is made from oranges.  This will affect a lot of people besides the farmer.

great report, I read all of them and try to comment. Tiki Birds and CBJ are also some of my favorites.

Make sure you put your sign out so we know to stop and meet other fiends. If you don't have a sigh, get one.

16 minutes ago, twiceblessed....nacole said:

Ugh...so sorry to hear that  Is there insurance to help cover something like that?

Don't think there was any insurance for the bedding, most of his equipment will be good, it is mostly mechanical, not powered so will dry out and be all right with a little lubing, he just can't use it until the ground dries out enough to be able to use it. He has some low ground as most of interior Florida is and you can't farm mud, we will be good, farming is an addiction just like  smoking and break away from.  

7 hours ago, Littleolwoman.aka.Kristie said:

I can imagine. How bad was the damage to your farm?

We came out all right, wind was not as bad as Charlie in 2004, but lost a lot of oranges and some trees. One barn lost a roof, but only had junk in it and probably won't repair it. Houses had a little damage and lost last oak tree in front yard. No flooding, but very wet and soggy ground which Orange trees do not like. Had a friend lose 200 acres of strawberry beds and irrigation and a lot of his equipment was under water. It cost over a $1000 an acre just for bed plastic and drip tape, so he is hurting.

We got electricity, sure is nice not listening to a generator.

Just got internet back on, got gen set running, it quit yesterday, we had to replace head gasket. Lost about 1/3 to 1/2 orange crop, but we are all safe and well. Some clean up to do, had to cut the trees so we could get barn open, but they did not hit the building . All in all everything is well and we are rebounding back to normal if they would just get the electricity on. We have all gas appliances so no problem with cooking and if I can eat ever thing else is just an irritation. 

We made it through safely, Lost at least one barn, last oak tree in yard, it withstood Donna in 1960 and was a big tree. Some water intrusion damage, a few shingles of roof, but we are all well and safe,  have a generator going so have power and water. Wind was over 100 mph about midnight last night. Haven't been out to check grove, but know I lost most of my crop and probably some trees. Need to do a lot of clean up now.

Wind and rain picking up, rain is blowing sideways now, no trees in our yard, lost them in Charlie in 2004, but 2 big trees have split in our church yard. Still have electricity but expect to have to fire up power unit soon. Will keep updating as long as possible, would like to hear from someone on the coast area.