Beach Day

 On Memorial Day we went to Clearwater Beach.  

It had been over a year since we had been there.  

Now, you might think that we were crazy for going to the beach on a holiday, 

but you have to remember that we go to the beach to walk.  

We arrived a little before 8 am.  

That was early enough to get free parking!!

 We parked in front of the site of the Tropic Isle Motel.

The motel has been torn down & there was a fence on the front of the property.

This is the motel where my family stayed when we vacationed at the beach when I was a teen.

In fact that is where I was the day I learned Elvis had passed away.

Frenchy's on the Beach

Palm Pavilion

Frenchy's & the Palm Pavilion anchor the South Beach parking lot.

Not a single section of the little pier exists anymore.

A year ago there was still a section on the beach that provided a nice shady area.

Now there is a big sand dune where the little pier used to be.

It was a beautiful day for the birds, fishermen, and dogs!!

We even saw a couple of dolphins though we couldn't get a picture.

 We walked just south of the Caladesi State Park boundary.

We passed the "shell tree."

The shell tree has been there for years.  

We have always wondered if there was a story behind it.  

When we first saw it, it was fun to add shells to it each time we walked by.

We don't add shells anymore, but it is still fun to see the shell tree.

Mustang Sally

 As we left the beach I just had to get a picture of "Mustang Sally."

Recently I have had this fascination with mustangs.

Every time I see one I break out in song . .   Mustang Sally!!

Bambi Visits

I always expected Bambi to visit when I lived in the rural mid-west.  

I have a hard time accepting that Bambi lives in my neighborhood in central Florida.  

But here is the proof!!

How many Bambi do you see in the picture below?

There are three! 

I saw a total of four Bambi during the course of the day.

They hung around munching all day.

Two days later I saw two Bambi up close & personal.

They were on the brim of the hill!

Sorry the picture is fuzzy.

I was trying to get a better picture when Bambi decided enough is enough.

Now I look for Bambi multiple times during the day!

It brings back memories of IN.

The Grandchildren (part 2)

On our recent visit to Chicago we celebrated our grandson's 3rd birthday.

 He had a chocolate chip cookie with candles & opened two presents -->  

 a helmet & a scooter!!

Riding lessons in the kitchen.

Our granddaughter watches all the action.

Handmade card by yours truly.

Watching videos with grandpa.

Reading time!!

Concert time is one of my favorite times!

I am especially fond of the "microphone."  

The time spent with our grandchildren was too short, as usual.

That is one of the negatives of living in Florida.

I look forward to celebrating our granddaughter's first birthday soon!!

The Grandchildren (part 1)

We spent Easter weekend in the Windy City of 

Chicago!!

It's where we get to go to visit our grandchildren.

Since we moved to FL we don't get to see them as often as I would like.

I treasure every moment with them!

One day we visited a couple of art galleries.

It was about an eight mile hike.

On the way we saw this colorful garden.

First art gallery stop was the UIC (University of Illinois Chicago) Thesis Exhibition.

 Our grandson's favorite exhibit.

 Here's how it was attached to the ceiling.

I have a good video, but I could not publish it for some reason.

Our granddaughter liked the exhibit next door titled "Witch Hunt."

She did not like the content, but she liked dancing to the music.

On our way to the next gallery we stopped at a park.

We saw the Amtrack train.

 Favorite exhibit at the 2nd art gallery.

Our granddaughter enjoyed the ride,
but was glad to be back home with Roxie.

Spring in Springfield

I love living in Florida, but . . .

after visiting Springfield, TN recently I must confess that 

I do miss spring blossoming in the north.

Here is what I saw as I walked one day.

I was so busy taking pictures I almost didn't get my walk in!!

I thought about taking this down the hill rather than the pathway.

I decided since I was on my own I better stick to the pathway.

It would be my luck if I had gone down the slide

I would have sprained an ankle or something worse.

I really enjoyed the freshness of Spring!!

I meant to take a picture of the redbud trees while I was in Springfield, 

but I never did get around to it.  

Maybe my better half will take a picture & send it to me.

I actually saw two redbud trees on a walk

in an adjacent neighborhood here in FL.

I was pleasantly surprised!