Monday, March 31, 2014

Southwest Christian Church - created triangularly


The theme for April 1 is "Triangles." As you can see the construction of this church involved a number of triangles. For other takes on the theme, click here.

For those of you who commented yesterday on the La Cuisine post, the owners of La Cuisine have written a response relative to the flag and other issues.  Please check yesterday's comment section.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

La Cuisine


La Cuisine is our own gourmet French restaurant, located in downtown Ocala. The staff is friendly and the food is good, if a little pricey.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Catnip


It would appear from the decorations on this truck that the owner has an affection for felines.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Table Ziosk


Our local Chili's restaurant has placed small "Ziosks" (wee computers) on the tables and booths. You can place an order, you can request a refill on your drink, you can pay your bill. And it has games for the kiddos to play!

When you've concluded your dinner and are ready to pay, just swipe your credit card in the assigned slot. You can add a tip and sign the chit and be on your way without further ado.

These things might be a bit too much for the technologically-challenged. In fact, I didn't like them at all at first and refused to use them. They are not mandatory. But the last time we ate at Chili's I decided to give it a try and it worked quite well.

We have not seen these elsewhere but it's possible some other restaurants are using them also.  Have you seen them in your city?

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Central Florida Wildflowers


 At this time of year, the fields and roadside of central Florida are filled with these beautiful wildflowers.  The last picture is an "Impressionist" treatment.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Foxtail squirrels at Eagle Ridge




We found these little rascals while playing golf at the Eagle Ridge Golf Course which is south of Ocala toward The Villages.

Evidently, folks who normally play this course feed these squirrels as they were less intimidated by humans than usual.

The squirrel in the first two pictures saw me stop and get my camera out, so he ran over to the golf cart and actually stood up to beg.  But he didn't remain still long enough to get a good shot.

As you'll note, these squirrels have many different color variations.  Some are almost black. The squirrel in the last photo was quite persistent that we give him something to eat and eventually we offered him a piece of a protein bar which he put in his mouth and and then posed for the camera.

A little while after the squirrel encounter we noticed that a protein bar was missing from our cart. Then we saw a crow fly off with the bar in its beak. Friends in the other golf cart reported the same thing happened to them.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Scenic bridge at Rainbow Springs


The photo was treated with a Photoshop paint effect by Triqui.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

Owen celebrating St. Patrick's Day


'Tis a breach of some rule, I'm sure, but this is not a picture of Ocala or an Ocala person. This is Owen, our great-grandson, who lives with his parents in south Florida. His mother, our granddaughter, is a terrific photographer and she gave me permission to post this picture of Owen (who has some Irish from his father's side) celebrating St. Paddy's Day. Yes, I know St. Paddy's has come and gone, but I still thought the photo worth sharing.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

"Pray"


These signs were all over town several months ago. Then they disappeared. Now, they're back. They're all the same which makes me think it is the work of one person who feels some sort of need to tell people what to do. The only problem, there's no mention as to whom one should pray, or what the subject matter of the prayer should be, or the reason for this exhortation.

I've been praying, to whomever will listen, that whoever is doing this find some other, less obnoxious activity to fill his/her time.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Ocala National Golf Club...


...early morning about two weeks ago.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Radio Shack


This is the Radio Shack store in our local mall.  According to the latest reports, Radio Shack is having serious problems and the company is planning to shutter about 1,000 stores in the United States. 

Some folks may be saddened by this news, but most won't notice any difference.  Radio Shack has been run over by other, far superior stores, which not only offer the same goods at better prices but also sell thousands of products Radio Shack does not carry.

Hobbyists, computer techs and spooks employed by the CIA and the NSA may still rely on Radio Shack, but I'd guess most of what they need can be bought online for less than what Radio Shack charges.

From my point of view, one of the company's biggest problems is the incompetent and surly help they hire.  I stop at Radio Shack occasionally.  They usually don't carry what I need and if they do the clerks wouldn't know what it was or where to find it!  And they don't care!  

Unless big changes are made, I'd guess Radio Shack will be totally out of business within five years.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Runaway cows



We found them in a field while out riding our bikes so we stopped to take a picture. They spooked and ran away. But we found them later, huddled under a huge oak tree. Most had their backsides to us, but a few were giving us the old evil eye! Moo!

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Lowell's Clubhouse


Please notice the prices. Very cheap, right?

Friday, March 14, 2014

Southwest Christian Church


Notice that clever little warning about well...uh...going to hell?

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

First Presbyterian Church - Ocala



First Presbyterian Church is a venerable old Ocala institution, arriving on the downtown scene right after the beginning of time, and has been patronized over the years by many of the "pillars" of the community.

But longevity does not just happen.  A church must relate and be relevant.  And if some folks find things a bit boring, it's always a good idea to serve food.  (See 2nd photo).  I'm wondering if the cafe is open during the time the pastor sermonizes the congregants...hmm...

Monday, March 10, 2014

Cats in your drawers


I've heard of ants in your pants but cats in your drawers is just too much!
"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