I have returned from a trip to Idaho with an extremely valuable life lesson for myself. Perhaps even in the category of “Life or Death” I might add.
While I travel often during the year for business and pleasure, visiting Idaho is in an entire different category. After just two full days there my left ear ceased hurting. That meant my 
neck muscles were not stressed like iron cables, and more than that, it meant I was not clenching my teeth, which meant I was not stressed, I felt physically ten years younger. Just from the lack of stress. I don’t know, maybe I clench my bladder too, or lock up my spine in fight or flight mode. Beats me, I just know the normal aches and pains were gone. And this was in 30 degree weather. One would think that would exacerbate any physical conditions I have.
Not surprisingly, my mental state was in a relaxed mode. I felt sane.
The life lesson is that something in Idaho makes me sane, and/or something in South Florida makers me insane.
Hmmm….let’s explore this line of reasoning.
Headlines from the Miami Herald today include “Homeless man shot on roof of Florida Atlantic University building.”
The Idaho Stateman newspaper headline today is “New Boise Farmers Market finds a home”
I know the feeling. I lived in Brooklyn for a year and commuted to the Bronx every day on the subway and had lunatics for neighbors. Add to that, there was some crazy person who had a car with a horn that played the “God Father” theme who drove around my block tooting his horn the whole night (not conducive to sleeping). Then there was the neighbor in the rooming house I was at who paced the floor all day and all night saying “ooooooh” repeatedly. Of course, he did not think he was crazy even though every one else did, and would completely fly off the handle if you ever brought the issue up to him. I felt like Sampson with his hair cut – getting weaker day by day. I had to get out to preserve my own sanity even though I did make a few good friends while I was there. I doubt if Brooklyn has gotten any better today, though. Sorry to go off, but your post brought that memory flooding back to my brain. I feel your pain!
I hate Miami too.