Yellow flowers and sky of blue

This will probably be our last post for awhile.  We are attending to a medical emergency in Colorado and will fly there tomorrow.  But we will be back! 

Online at Panera Bread

Sholom Park - a nature meditation

Reflection at Gator's Dockside

Gator's Dockside is a restaurant noted for its steaks, hamburgers and French fries and its large selection of beer. It is divided into two sections, each of which has a number of large television sets on the walls, all of which are broadcasting sporting events.

The outer section looks out over the parking lot. But between the two sections there's a large window which you see in this photo. The photo was pure serendipity. I looked and saw reflections from the outside, reflections from the sporting events, people on the other side of the glass, as well as lights and colors. For example, the girl you see on the other side of the glass is one of the hostesses who greets patrons as they enter the restaurant.

Halloween decorations - downtown Ocala

Some people carry too much baggage!

The pond and its environs at Sholom Park

A benign, rather attractive scarecrow, taking a break...

Scenes from downtown Ocala

Would you vote for a veterinarian to be a county commissioner?

I hope so, because Dr. Doug Shearer is our vet! He's fantastic and saved Haley's life a few years back. He's also against uncontrolled urban sprawl, which in Ocala is destroying too much of our beautiful countryside. A Democrat and a Republican were already in the race, so Dr. Shearer is running as a member of the Whig Party.

I'd never heard of the Whig Party, either. You'll have to Google that one!

He just might win. It seems that every horse farm/ranch in the county has posted one or more of his signs.

The Ritz - Ocala's Historic Inn

Art Meadows Jewelry is a small old-fashioned jewelry store. The operators are very nice, give you lots of personal attention and also handle things like watch repair and battery replacement.

We visited Art Meadows Jewelry a short time ago to have a watch repaired. Off to one side sat this piece of sculpture. I'd never seen it before. Very strange. I wonder if it is a "famous" piece.

Ani's Shabby Shak

Unfortunately, this eclectic little shop in downtown Ocala has gone defunct. In fact, over the past few years, several little shops have opened in this location only to fold after a relatively short time.

Cowgirl at the Paddock Mall...

...and she may have been watching me take her picture...

Felix's

Felix's restaurant is a long-time fixture in Ocala. Located on Silver Springs Boulevard, it offers upscale, gourmet dining. We have not patronized the restaurant as yet, but hope to do so in the future.

A Presbyterian church. Formerly a theater.

Koi fighting for food in the pond at Sholom Park

Pickup your mail. Sit down and read your mail. Can't beat that!

Steve Forrest and Bagelicious

Meet Steve Forrest, the man who runs our favorite bagel shop of all time, Bagelicious!
We've featured Bagelicious twice before, but have never shown the one who makes it all work so well, Mr. Forrest.

You will notice that Mr. Forrest has a slight halo about his head. Don't be fooled. He's a great guy, but he's no saint! :-)

If you find yourself in Ocala, looking for a great breakfast or lunch, hie thyself to Bagelicious!

Heading into downtown Ocala on State Road 40

Olan Mills ladies posing for the camera

As I was walking by, these two ladies, engaged in selling Olan Mills portraits, saw my camera and smiled. So, naturally, I pointed my camera at them. This is the result!

Meditation path - Sholom Park

To the left is a door ...

...to a health food store!

Offebacher Madche

I have no clue what this phrase means. But I think if you're going to put a sign or painting on your car, its meaning ought to be clear to everyone. Right? ;-)

C.F. John Fang - Dentist...

Christopher at Verizon Wireless

Christopher is one heck of a salesman and works for Verizon Wireless at the Paddock Mall in Ocala. He is also warm and easy-going and very knowledgeable about his product(s).

If you live in Ocala and are looking to buy a new cell phone, you might want to stop by and see Chris at the Verizon kiosk in the mall.

We did!

Old horse barn

This is an old horse barn, located just off one of Ocala's busiest thoroughfares.  The horses are gone as are the windows and the building is rotting slowly away. At one time, this property was no doubt part of a very large horse farm but it must have gotten in the way of "progress"!

This post is in conjunction with a new meme developed by Tricia at Bluff Area Daily dealing with barns.  Please click here to view the posts of other participants.

Picnic benches in back of Dillard's Department Store...

...probably to be used by employees for their lunch break...

Downtown post of unknown origin

I don't remember seeing this "post" (or whatever) before in downtown Ocala. We looked it over very carefully and have no clue as to what it is for. I suppose it could be a hitching post but you don't see a lot of horses downtown even if Ocala is the "Horse Capitol of the World"!

Shopping can be a tiring experience!

Light my path...

...on a rainy night...