Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Photo of the year


The theme for January 1, 2014 is "Photo of the Year." This is one of my favorites.

Please click here to see other "photos of the year" from around the world.

And a very Happy New Year to all!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Wise Guy?


I thought this was an interesting character but I have no clue as to who it might be. Maybe one of the three wise guys? Just some well-to-do potentate?

Friday, December 27, 2013

Palm trees and flag on a sunny day


This was taken at the Spruce Creek golf course (where the Sandhill cranes posted yesterday were located).

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Gift cards...


...for when you don't know what to give - at Christmas or anytime.

Monday, December 23, 2013

Santa's on his way?


Santa's on his way
But there's been a slight delay
The reindeer, tipsy with egg nog
Crashed ol' Santa's sleigh.
But "Do not fear, do not fret,"
Santa laughs and says,
"Ho, ho, ho, watch and see
"I ain't quitting yet".

Though he bumped His big ol' head
Upon his ol' red sled
And though his glasses
And his mind
Are just a bit awry
Santa will come visit you
He'll fly down from the sky.

The problem is that Santa knows
How you've behaved all year 
Hopefully, you've tried to be
A kind and gentle soul -
So you won't wake
On Christmas morn 
And find he's left you
One big lump of coal.




Sunday, December 22, 2013

Friday, December 20, 2013

Creche for sale


You could have one just like this. If you so desired. The blue sheet of paper in the picture gives prices for everyone, from baby Jesus to the wise men. And if you bought one you would have helped "keep Christ in Christmas." Sort of.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

A hunting we will go


Hunting for a wayward golf ball in the woods on a foggy morning!

Monday, December 16, 2013

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Friday, November 1, 2013

The Marion theater - reaching for the sky


The old Marion theater in downtown Ocala has, in this photo, assumed a shape similar to the ancient ziggurats of Mesopotamia and now serves a similar purpose as it reaches to worship the movie gods on high!

The City Daily Photo theme for November first is "heights." You can view other theme day posts here.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

The Witch of Ocala


As you know, witches are hard to find, even on Halloween. They like to do their dark deeds, well... in the dark. We caught this one, though, hanging around a hardware store. She was in the brooms. And quite engrossed. I snuck up behind her very quietly, then jumped in front of her and snapped this photo. She was so surprised and upset she turned green. The last I saw she was going up, up, up and away on a very old broom, shaking her fist at me.

But I'm not afraid of a plain old witch!  I once had an 8th-grade girl from Haiti in my geography class bring a voodoo doll to school and proceed to stick pins in me while giving me the "evil eye" because I wouldn't let her talk or run around in class! The voodoo didn't work. I don't think she passed the 8th-grade!

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Glen Hill Farm


This photo shows a small portion of the Glen Hill Farm, a 400-acre breeding and racing operation located very close to Ocala's center. It was bought in 1986 by Leonard Lavin, the founder of the Alberto-Culver Co., known for its VO5 brand.

Today, the farm's president and CEO is Craig Lavin Bernick, Leonard's grandson.

Glen Hill is most famous for the horse, One Dreamer, who won the 1994 Breeders Cup Distaff.

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Wild turkeys in the wilds of Ocala!



Some of you may remember a post from awhile back which portrayed what might have been a wild turkey or perhaps a stick! Those pictured today are real wild turkeys in the wilds of Ocala! There was a group of seven, but when I got too close they headed for the hills, er, the woods!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Vitto with a sad face



My friend, Vitto, who is a better golfer than I am, was having a bad day today.  It all caught up with him on the 16th hole where he used a black marker to express his feelings.  Perhaps he thought he would gain my sympathy, but all I could do was laugh for on this day the tables turned.

I fear for the future, though!

The Ocala National Golf Club


In a previous incarnation, this place was called the Golden Hills Golf Club because it was located in the Golden Hills community. It's been sold a couple of times and was not cared for properly and the golf course became very run down. New owners, however, have changed the name and worked on the course and it's now back to its older and better self. It's a difficult course, however. If you play it, bring lots of golf balls!

Monday, October 21, 2013

Saturday, October 19, 2013

A study in contrasts


This home is located on Ocala's east side.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Charley's


My favorite restaurant in Ocala is located in the food court of the Paddock Mall! Go figure!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Cross over the bridge


It's a new bridge, crossing over Interstate 75, which allows people to detour around a major traffic area on Highway 200. Thousands of folks, it seems, have seen fit to take advantage of this recently-built span.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Between a rock and a hard place


One of the rules of golf says you must "play the ball as it lies." In other words, you can't move your ball so as to give yourself a better shot (with a few special exceptions). This is not one of those exceptions, thus the golfer might say this is "between a rock and a hard place." (It wasn't my golf ball, thank goodness!)

Monday, October 14, 2013

Pony for sale


Actually, there was one horse for sale, along with two ponies. This is one of the ponies. I have no idea as to the price of said pony.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Grant teeing off on #18 - Royal Oaks Golf Course


His name is Grant. We call him the General. As usual, he hit a beautiful drive on this final hole of the Royal Oaks Golf Course in Ocala.

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Univ. of Florida attire


In the mall, this store is for fans of the University of Florida. Fans of Florida State University, University of Miami, University of Central Florida, Central Florida College, University of South Florida, Florida A&M, Nova Southeastern University, etc., may consider this place a waste of space. :)

Friday, October 11, 2013

Juan Passos


Juan Passos is a very busy man. Not only does he run a lawn care service company, but also owns Handyman Solutions. Senor Passos is also fair and works very hard to satisfy his customers. If you live in Ocala and are looking for someone to care for your yard or if you need someone to do some work around the house, give Juan a call at 352-274-5795.

Halloween Tree


This photo has been cross-posted to our blog on L & L Photography.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Monday, October 7, 2013

Ocala Cowgirl


This is for my friend, Mary Beth, at Small City Scenes of Stanwood, a cowgirl from the state of Washington!

Sunday, October 6, 2013

The Mojo Grill & Catering Co.






This post is for my friend Memphis MOJO who, not surprisingly, lives in Memphis!  He is an inveterate poker and bridge player and a huge baseball fan!  If you're interested in poker or bridge

you can learn a lot from MOJO by reading his blog, "Just Sayin'".

The Mojo Grill was initially located in downtown Ocala.  Then it moved a few blocks out of the downtown area.  Recently, it took over the location of what was originally a Roadhouse Grill.  I just learned (as you can see on the truck) that there is also a Mojo Grill in Belleview, a small town south of Ocala.

We had occasion to dine at The Mojo Grill not long ago and found it very interesting.  The place is immensely popular, partly because on certain days, "kids eat free."   The food portions are generous and pretty much what you'd expect from this kind of grill - burgers, French fries, steak, etc.  The service was excellent but the ambiance was loud and that's the way they like it!  In addition, there is live music for your dining pleasure.

You can read all about it here.  

Friday, October 4, 2013

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Brotherly Love


This photo was cross posted to L & L Photography.

Monday, September 30, 2013

Halloween Girl


She was in the Halloween department trying on hats and masks. She saw me pointing the camera, and with that sly look, lifted the mask. She's going to be a heart-breaker some day!

Note: This photo was cross-posted to L & L Photography.
"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