Sunday, February 28, 2010

Passage way for pedestrians, bikers, & golf carts


This passageway at Stone Creek leads to the golf course, to a fishing lake, to the tennis and pickleball and horseshoe courts, as well as the swimming pools, spa, fitness center, and Reunion Center.

This month's theme is "Passageways." Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

Friday, February 26, 2010

Local political wacko



This is our local political wacko who stands on the corner proclaiming his belief that President Obama is a "socialist" and is not fit to be president and that Sarah Palin should be president. Nobody's run him over yet.

Because we've been inundated with spam, we have been forced to use word verification on all of our blogs.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

What part of "no" do you not understand?


A humorous break. More HITS photos tomorrow.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Morgan & Simon at HITS





I believe Simon is a Houdini Llewellen Setter. Morgan told us he also works as a therapy dog.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

HITS - Ocala Winter Circuit





The HITS (Horse Shows in the Sun) Winter Circuit in Florida was introduced in Ocala in 1982. It is an "Eight-week hunter/jumper horse show circuit ... that runs from January through March annually.

"Each winter, the Circuit attracts national and international participants from the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe. Located in Marion County, the heart of Florida's horse country, the area is home to over 600 horse farms ... The Circuit features 14 Grand Prix events worth a total of $575,000 in prize money..."

We attended HITS for the first time this afternoon. It is held at the huge Post Time Farm in Ocala, which "was originally built as a training center for thoroughbred racehorses." It offers "52 miles of four-board fencing, 24 permanent barns that house 500 stalls, numerous paddocks, bridle paths and additional buildings for the horse show office and restaurant."

It was a great experience and we'll have a number of other photos to share with you in the upcoming days.

The second and fourth photos are by Lois Anne.

Addendum: Ocala, they say, is the horse capitol of the world. They may be right. From Ocala's 600 thoroughbred farms and training centers have come:

45 National Champions
6 Kentucky Derby Winners
7 Preakness Stakes Winners
6 Belmont Stakes Winners
20 Breeders' Cup Champions
6 Horses of the Year

And the last horse to win the Triple Crown, Affirmed.

Friday, February 19, 2010

Speaking of horses...


...you can purchase this crystal horse head for only $17,500 USD at The Paddock Room in Ocala. The Paddock Room has for many years been owned and operated by Caroline Burgeson and features equine art, books, horseman's gifts & boutique apparel. It is a beautiful store.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Ocala thoroughbreds




This post is for Mary Beth of Small City Scenes, a lifelong horse lover. Photos by Lois Anne.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Lowe's - For all your home and garden needs



Lowe's is doing a brisk business as people prepare for the arrival of spring in Central Florida.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Monday, February 15, 2010

Guardhouse


This is a guardhouse for a "gated" community. Unfortunately, there is no gate and no guard!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Smoke gets in your eyes


Not to worry, this is merely smoke from a nearby chimney! Shot from the deck of our house in Ocala.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Texting - for when the books have too big words...


This gentleman was spotted outside of Barnes & Noble book store.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Watching for gators in the Silver River...


Nah, they were looking at little fishies and boaters...

Saturday, February 6, 2010

The aliens have landed...


...and their antennae are scouting out the landscape!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Trinity Catholic High School




If you wish to learn more about Trinity Catholic High School, click here.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

On the Silver River trail

Lois & Haley maneuvering the Silver River trail, which leads to ...




...this! The Silver River in all its pristine glory!

"Photographers deal in things which are continually vanishing and when they have vanished there is no contrivance on earth which can make them come back again." — Henri Cartier-Bresson