Raise your hand!

Such a deal!

Holiday ferris wheel - downtown

A reflection on the holidays

Santa lost

If you didn't get all you wanted for Christmas, this may be the reason - Santa got lost. He was found at the Paddock Mall by this young lady who is taking him to his sleigh. She also provideded him with a GPS system so it doesn't happen next year.

But, if Santa didn't complete all his deliveries this year, I want to know who put the lump of coal in my stocking!

Everyone scrunch up your eyes at the same time!

Have yourself a really cool Christmas!

The White Elephant

The White Elephant is an eclectic thrift shop run by Jennifer and Lee. They have a wonderful assortment of goodies from which to choose. Located in downtown Ocala, Jennifer and Lee are very proud of their first place award in the Downtown Historic District Christmas (Window)Decorating Contest.

Ocala Christmas trees (bonus post #2)

Christmas in downtown Ocala (a bonus post)

Reflection of downtown Christmas tree in the window of Tres Chic

Debbie and friends

This is Debbie. We met Debbie this afternoon in downtown Ocala. She was wearing a patch that read, "Park Ranger." Debbie was ensuring that cars parked in the area did not overstay their allotted time. Personable and friendly, she readily agreed to have her picture taken. Not only so, but when two other women walked toward us, she asked if they would like to be in a picture, and they agreed, smilingly.

We have some very nice people in Ocala!

More Ocala Christmas Trees - beginning with a winter wonderland at Lowe's

Alone in a crowd!

Scenes from around town

I liked the way the light hit the sign as evening descended on the area.

The Party Shop - everything you could possibly need for any kind of party. When I took this picture, one of the employees came out to ask what I was doing. I told him I was taking a photograph. He said, "Oh," and went back inside.

Just a colorful sign with a little posterization.

Sun Trust bank in downtown Ocala.

A development that never developed - in southwest Ocala

On the road again...

...in southwest Ocala. Photo taken several weeks ago. Before our cold weather!

Clerks in training?

There was an instructor and there were six young women. The six young women were listening intently to the instructor. Clerks in training?

Winter flora in Ocala

DSW Shoes - for our wonderful female City Daily Photo bloggers...

Christmas/holiday cards at Hallmark

Do you still send holiday cards?

Mom in Minnesota - early 1930s

I know this doesn't have much to do with Ocala, but I just came across it and my Mom had lived in south Florida and I figured that's close enough.

Here's lookin' at you, kid!

The College of Central Florida

The sign is wrong. It used to be known as Central Florida Community College, but was recently upgraded to full collegiate status with a new name and in 2010, the College of Central Florida began offering a limited number of bachelor (4-year) degrees, whereas previously, under it's old name, it could offer only associate degrees.

This is a huge boon for the Ocala area as well as surrounding communities, for it means that students can obtain a regular 4-year degree without traveling to Gainesville or Orlando or cities even further away.

Despicable Me!

This was found in the Paddock Mall. Despicable Me must be a movie. It appears that you could take a picture of your child with this character, send it in to the proper place and win a prize. Whoopee! I saw one mother take a photo of her kid who stood next to the despicable guy. I also saw several kids walk by and try to knock down Despicable Me. They were despicable!

The Olive Garden - Italian restaurant

Winding Oaks Farm

Originally, most of what's now known as the Winding Oaks Farm, was part of the Tartan Farm, owned by the 3M honcho, William McKnight, Jr. It was purchased by Eugene Melnyk in 2001, and under his leadership, the tradition of breeding top race horses continues.

Melnyk, while a native of Toronto, lives full-time in the Barbados except when he comes to Ocala on holiday, which is as often as possible. In addition to overseeing the huge operation that is Winding Oaks, Melnyk owns the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League and heads up a pharmaceutical company known as Biovail.

Although some 100 oak trees on the farm were destroyed in the 2004 hurricane, the 1,000 acres Winding Oaks Farm still contains many beautiful old trees amidst rolling hills. The property also contains two natural springs.

Winding Oaks serves as an oasis of calm and beauty surrounded by residential and commercial establishments. May it always be so!

Many great race horses come from Winding Oaks Farms. And one of the latest to find fame was Sealy Hill, the 2007 Canadian Horse Of The Year.

Friends