January

Treasures exist inside the Southwest Florida city of North Port, Florida.

Imagine an enchanted evening of southern tropical charm under the banyan trees at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Maybe it's the romantic and classic setting of The Ringling, Ca' d'Zan and The Powel Crosley Estate.

It's a blissful day on Siesta Key. I am at the intersection of "beach" and "ocean" avenues, and debating which path I want to take to one of the best beaches in the U.S. (and the world!).

Mention polo and most people conjure up images of Prince Charles, wealthy aristocrats and fine-bloodline ponies. The common folk tend to associate polo with the rich jet-setting life played out in the international media. Not here in Sarasota. But for the beauty of the sport, champagne swilling and divot stomping, the atmosphere bears little resemblance to that in the movie Pretty Woman.

Dress in finery and don your chapeau if you like, or come as you are and bring the kids. Dogs on leashes are welcomed as well.

Sometimes, we all just need to escape...

Enjoy some arts and culture at these six local spots

In the mood to do a little museum hopping? There’s lots to see and experience in the area, from artwork both serious and lighthearted to cool fossils and artifacts from long ago.

A trek through the mangrove tunnels of Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach Nature Park gives kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders unique routes for exploring a unique ecosystem

"Aaah! I almost just bit it! I was dodging that branch and almost fell right off!" Cue incessant giggling, leading to further instability. I wish I could say it was one of my kids who claimed this prime example of agility and grace, but, alas, it was I.

"Mom! It's the motherlode!" I follow the captivated gaze of my son and see what has him so enthused – thousands and thousands of fiddler crabs are scuttling in unison along the sand below us.

My morning was rushed. It was earlier than I’m usually moving on a Sunday morning. And in the twenty minutes before my mother in law arrived to babysit, I needed to make and pick up breakfast, get the kids dressed, beds made, lunches prepped. It looked like a thunderstorm so do I pack a raincoat? It might clear up. Maybe I need sunscreen. Did I have enough water? Does the camera have batteries and memory space? Do we have the address?