Pining away in Ocala

These beautiful pine trees (made out of WOOD!) on the Cross Florida Greenway in Ocala stand out with a certain wispy grace against a gray winter sky.

This month's them is wood: Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Bayliner

If you own one of these boats, you need a fairly large yard in which to park it. This one is found in the Fort King subdivision on the east side of Ocala. Oh, yes, you also need a fairly hefty vehicle to pull it to your favorite, lake, river or ocean.

Sunrise, January 29th, Stone Creek

The River Trail at Silver River State Park

The River Trail winds about 1/2 mile through woods and swamps from the parking lot to the Silver River.

If you look closely, you can see Lois Anne and Haley in the distance.

Boaters on the Silver River

This was taken back in November at the Silver River State Park, just south of Silver Springs Park. I'm not sure what to make of it. The adults seem quite serious and the boat is moving at a fairly good pace. Most of the kids look bored out of their minds! (And yes, there are lots of gators in these waters! It's best if you do not swim in the mornings or evenings.)

Dillards department store

Is it just me, or are they making mannequins uglier and uglier these days?

Stone Creek - Some amenities

Barnes & Noble reading section

Ocala cat

An Ocala cat keeping an eye on those jogging and biking in its neighborhood!

Stone Creek outdoor pool - additional images

Have you been kissed by a lizard lately?

Maybe he thought a kiss would turn that leaf into a cute little female lizard?

Oak-Griner Baptist Church

Another example of a rather typical Baptist church on the outskirts of the city of Ocala.

Morning run

Lois Anne on her four-mile run at Stone Creek.

Ocala National Bank Building

The Ocala National Bank Building is located in the old downtown area of Ocala. It appears that much of the building is used for purposes other than banking.

Update: Ocala National Bank failed back in January 2009, was shut down by the government, and then taken over by Center State Bank. But this building is iconic and will probably continue to retain the name of Ocala National Bank for awhile.

Stone Creek sunset

Photo by Lois Anne; Jan. 16, 2010.

Frolicking elephants

You will find these frolicking elephants at the famous Appleton Museum in Ocala.

Ze speedy little golf car of J & LA

Ocala/Elkhart garbage can

In some areas of the city, Ocala gives each house a garbage can. It is numbered and belongs to that particular house (not the owners!) If you lose it or steal it, and they catch you, you have to attend 365 sessions of the City Council as punishment. Nah, just kidding. That would be cruel and unusual punishment which is forbidden by our Constitution). Anyway, these are special garbage cans that are emptied by special machinery on a garbage truck - no humans involved.

Our garbage can, which we received last year, was brand new and had a painted city logo. But a few blocks from us, the people had to do with "used" garbage cans which carried a City of Ocala decal.

One day, I noticed that the decals were peeling away to reveal that these garbage cans originally came from Elkhart, Indiana!

I have no idea what's going on here. Did Elkhart have more than they needed and so gave them to Ocala? Did Elkart have a financial crisis and thus sold off their garbage cans? Were they the wrong color?

This is one of the sweet...er, smelly...mysteries of life!

Stone Creek - Clubhouse, Stone Creek Grille

Stone Creek - Tennis court & stadium

Stone Creek - the villa

This post is dedicated to Vogon Poet of Livorno Daily Photo, who has a passion for villas!

Stone Creek - Outdoor pool

Stone Creek - A frosty morn

While not unheard of, this scene is very rare. These are villas just across the way from ours and the photo was taken this morning about 9 AM.

It is very cold here, relatively speaking. We don't like it a bit. Fortunately, we should be back to our normal high of 70 degrees (F) in a few days.

Winter glory

Sighted on a cool, crisp, Florida winter's day.

Foreclosed!

Unfortunately, Florida has been hit hard with foreclosures...I think Florida leads the nation in foreclosures.

This is one example: A foreclosure in the southeast part of town.

Stone Creek - Golf course view from our villa

If you look closely, you will see cows grazing in the background.

Tattooed car

In Ocala, lots of people are getting tattoos. Why, I don't know. But we even have tattooed cars.

Poinsettias

Our former neighbor's poinsettias give color to the area.