They seem to have landed right here in Windermere - on a small natural pond backing the Berkshire Park neighborhood within The Lakes of Windermere.   The flock was first spotted on Thanksgiving and were pretty amusing to watch.  We spent the majority of the day watching the birds fish and play on the pond.  But today the smell of the birds is overtaking the area ... and I can see why Lake Eola wanted rid of them.  And yes ... there are close to 100 birds on our tiny pond today.

We dont' always think of the consequences of our actions when we make decisions to rid our "pests".  Or perhaps City Officials just didn't care where the birds landed once they "modified their behavior"  ... as long as they kept the "Crown Jewel" of Orlando clean.

It seems the BOOMS from Disney's fireworks were not enough to scare the birds away last night - so our own version of pyrotechnic behavior modification has failed.   My question is ... will the specially trained Officials from Lake Eola be sent to our little pond with their special Sonar equipment to shoo the flock before they destroy our little pond?   I think the answer will be a resounding NO ... and we'll have to wait till the pond is fished out before the brood moves on.

We all know and have read of the mistakes made during the Primary elections earlier this year.  Democratic voters being told that their primary wasn't until May at one polling place, another Poll worker insisting that one parties Ballots hadn't been delivered, and my own experience being handed the wrong party ballot and told "this is all we have - you'll have to make do."  I'm glad I stood my ground and demanded the correct ballot - as this is when the Poll workers took a second look into a box shoved way back into a corner of the fire station and exclaimed "Oh, wouldn't you know it .. here they are!"

My son turned 18 this past July, and was eager to participate in his first election.  A few weeks ago he registered to vote, about a week later his registration certificate arrived in the mail.  He was happy to now be a part of this great process ... except there was a small problem with his registration.  The Orange County Elections Office failed to record his party affiliation on his registration form.

When my son pointed this out to me, I suggested he call the Elections office right away and have this corrected.  He did .. and was told by the woman who responded, "Oh yes - it says right here which party you wanted to be affiliated with.  I have no idea how that didn't make it in to the system.  Let me fix it right away."   A new registration certificate was sent out and arrived just today - with the correct information.  With the past issues we've had here in Orange County though, it made me wonder.  If other first time voters had the same issue, would they be as reliant to have the issue corrected?  Or would they have left their registration the way it was?  I'd be curious to know exactly how many registration mistakes are made at the Elections Office each year.

Since my son is at college now, we knew he wouldn't be able to vote on Election Day, so he requested an absentee ballot.  Today when he arrived home for the weekend, he opened this up to discover that he had actually been sent TWO copies of each of the ballots.  As a first time voter he thought - perhaps I have to fill in both of these ballots.  He did so, and before he sealed them in the envelope to mail back to the Elections Office, he came out and asked if he was doing it properly.  When I saw he had four ballots in the envelope I was surprised.  I explained to him that sending back both copies of the ballots would be considered voter fraud - and that his vote would not be counted for either ballot.

Again, this is a simple mistake by the Elections Office, but if my own family has experienced three "simple mistakes" during this election process this year - what other mishaps are taking place across the County?

I ask that each of you please be diligent in making sure your voting process is completed accurately.  Know what your rights are as a voter before heading to the polls - and if you feel another "simple mistake" might be made - speak up and question the Poll Workers actions.  If you're voting by absentee ballot - be sure you have the proper ballots and that you follow instructions to a T.

This election just feels so much more important than those that have taken place in previous years.  It's imporatant that the State of Florida's voice be heard loud and CLEAR.  Let's not have the same Hanging Chad fisaco of past elections.  It's our duty as citizens to assure this does not happen again!

When:  Friday, October 31st @ 6:30pm
Where:  Berkshire Park Community Pool

Trick-or-Treating to begin around the neighborhood at 7:30pm.

Each child will receive:
1- slice of Pizza
1 - Drink
1 - Mini Cupcake
1 - Special Surprise Treat.

A small contribution of $2 per child would be appreciated to cover the costs of the event.  If you would like to attend, please complete the form on the Halloween invitation that was delivered to your door and return it no later than Monday, October 27th.

If you have neighborhood news or events you'd like included on the Windermere @ Orlando Sentinel blog - please feel free to send them to windermereblog @ gmail.com

At the corner of Chase Road and CR 535 - right beside the Fire Station and the Orange Grove - there's a wild flower {ok - you might call it a weed} with vibrant orange flowers.  Think of the color of Navel Oranges ... but more intense.  They reminded me of the oranges to come this Fall .. and then that fabulous scent that fills the air when the Groves are in bloom.  I can't wait till late Spring next year .. just to get a whiff of the Orange Blossoms.

The Spanish Moss hanging from the trees along Chase Road is magnificent in the evening light.  It seems to capture the sun, and there's a play on light and shadow as it literally glistens on the trees.  Some of the older Cypress seem right out of the pages of a Haunted Swamp story - their branches so heavy with Spanish Moss you can't see the pine needles.

As you drive through the Town of Windermere - turning right on to Conroy-Windermere Road - there's a magnificent show of color in the trees.  Bright sunny yellows, followed by deep burgundies and orange leaves.  It's a reminder of the changing leaves of our Northern States.  And probably the only place around town that we'll see such the color change.

Driving back home - looking in to the field where Keanes Point's latest neighborhood will be added - there's a show of texture.  Fluffy and tall grass waves in the breeze, and sprinklers across the street catch the sun making prisms across the sidewalks.  A similar show of tall grass can be found along Sidel Road - where you can get a fantastic view of the Orange Groves when you exit from Highway 429. 

But I think my favorite distraction remains the cows found along Overstreet Road and Fiquette.  Perhaps I'm amused too easily - but having the cows live so close to our homes.  We can literally reach out our window driving by and touch them - if we wanted to.  They seem to be enjoying the cooler weather as well.

I think it's time to buy a better camera.

I took my 11 year old dog to the groomers today.   He’s getting on in years … but he’s still full of energy and life.  He may sleep a little more than he used to, he might be a little more needy in his old age, but he’s a good dog.

Winston has been a gentle dog since we first adopted him  He was taken away from his mother at 6 weeks of age - he had a hernia that need surgery - and it couldn’t wait any longer.  He was just 8 weeks when we adopted him .. and since I’ve been his surrogate mother .. there are times Winston thinks he’s human.  He certainly acts that way most of the time!

I was surprised when I received a phone call from PetSmart .. the groomer was telling me that while she was bathing Winston, the toes on all four of his paws kept slipping through, and got caught on the grid that lines their bathing sinks.  He was panicking - she was trying to help release him - he twisted and yelped -  and he bit her.  Hard.  He broke the skin.

Winston has NEVER been aggressive in his entire dog life. He is afraid of the cat.  He’s afraid of water.  He’s afraid of other dogs.  He LOVES people .. and he would NOT hurt anyone out of aggression.  He was defending himself in a time of panic. I was told PetSmart’s policy on bites is to send the employee to the Doctor for treatment. 

I decided to take Winston to the vet to make sure the groomer hadn’t broken his toes.  I also wanted to make sure he had a clean bill of health in the event Pet Smart called back to say the groomer had an exotic disease only obtained from dog bites.  Winston is old .. he has a bad knee .. but he’s otherwise perfectly wonderful health wise.

I was surprised again this afternoon, by what PetSmart didn't tell me.  They reported the bite to Animal Control.  When the call came in I was told it was all "Standard Procedure" - that the dog needed to be evaluated and placed under House Quarantine.  An Animal Control Officer just left my house about 30 minutes ago.

Winston is confined to the house.  If he needs to go the bathroom - I have to put him on a leash - even in my fenced back yard.  I'm not allowed to bring guests into my home for the next ten days .. basically no one outside the family is to be near the dog.  The only problem there is I'm on-call with the Federal Court this week and next.  If I'm called to report - I have to bring in a Pet Sitter to take care of my pets.   

Winston did get up and start to limp while the Animal Control officer was here, so there is definitely aggravation to his knee injury.  That concerns me a great deal.  I was happy to see the officer jot that down in her notes.

Obviously I understand the procedures are in place to protect humans from animal disease like Rabies.  MY aggravation in the entire situation stems from the fact that #1 - when the groomer saw his foot slipping under the grid - why did she not remove him right away?  Why wait till the situation exacerbated itself where he was stuck - and injured?  #2 - that PetSmart made sure to cover their own bums by calling in Animal Control - but failed to recognize that my pet was injured in the process - and didn't offer to assist him in any way at all.  They have a vet two steps away from the groomers.

I'm not alone - here are just three articles and web sites - of many regarding PetSmarts grooming practices:

Second Dog To Die at PetSmart Grooming

PetSmart Grooming Complaints

PetSmart in Hot Water Over Dead Bird, Dog and more!

I've convinced the Animal Control officer to stop in and investigate the bathing area at PetSmart tomorrow.  What her report states - and what I was told by the groomer - doesn't match.  Also, the name of the groomer bitten is not the same on the report as what I was told.  I am hoping that PetSmart has already taken the appropriate steps to make sure other dogs aren't injured in the same manner.

Regardless, I don't think we'll be using PetSmart for our grooming needs in the near future.  I'm thinking PetSmart will be taken off our list of favorite retailers too.