Planet in the Sky

I saw that bright blue sky and thought it quite appropriate to have a planet (Planet Fitness) in the middle of it!

The Freedom Library

Marion County (in which Ocala is located) has an excellent public library system.

The Freedom Library is one of several branches of the Marion County Library, and is located in southwest Ocala. It is a fine institution and provides many wonderful services to the community.

Note:  My initial posting included a rant on the rabid right-wing nogoodniks who have a choke-hold on this community and are literally destroying our world.  While I'm not walking back what I said, it is probably best if such feelings are left unexpressed on a photo blog.

Cleopatra in Charge

...So, I tried to make her comfy and then I asked if there was anything else I could do for her.

She looked at me somewhat disdainfully, and I'm sure I heard her say, "You're bothering me. I'm trying to sleep. I'll call you if I need you!"

...And that's the way it goes in Ocala, Florida, at 11:35 AM, January 28, 2016...

Directional Signs at Heathbrook Outdoor Mall

I suppose a sign like this is necessary, but if you need to rely on it, you're in a bad place. You can see all these stores just by turning in a circle.

Mi Tierra Latina

There have been several Mexican restaurants

in Ocala over the years.  

The first one we tried when we 

moved to town provided me with

three days of food poisoning.

We haven't been back there.

Others proved unsatisfactory in other ways.

Then we discovered Mi Tierra Latina

which is actually south of town

by several miles.

They do Mexican food in the manner

to which we have become

accustomed.

We have learned they intend

to open another restaurant in Ocala

just across from the mall.

Happy Days are here again!

Luncheon Conversation Courtesy of Smartphones United

Luncheon conversation - a brief screen play:

Sandra: "Hey dad, I just texted you the menu. What are you going to eat?"

Dad: "Damn! I'm sorry sweetie, could you send it to me again? I lost it somehow and don't know how to get it back."

Sandra: "Well, we could look at the menu on the table but that seems like such a waste of time. Hold it, a minute, I just got a message from Shelly."

Mom: "Tell Shelly we're busy. I'm going to die of starvation if we don't order soon. I'll check the restaurant's website again to see if they've added any new items to their menu."

Rhonda:  "For crying out loud, Mom, you just did that. Call me when you decide what to eat."

Dad: "Don't call me!  I've had enough of this conversation. I'm going to play Solitaire until you all  figure out what you're gonna eat!"

Sandra: "You're such an old poop, Pop! Nobody plays Solitaire anymore."

Mom: "Oh, wow! Hang on, I'm sending you a text 'cause I just got a coupon from Olive Garden; it's 20% off any entree. Maybe we should go there?'"

Rhonda:  "I don't think so! I've heard they don't even have a place in their booths to charge our cell phones!"

Dad: "Well, I give up! My battery is dead. We're going to go home now and we don't even have a working GPS."

Rhonda: "Good grief, Dad!  You've lived in this town for 50 years. You ought to know your way around by now!"

Dad: "I do, but I can't function without a working GPS!"

Mom: "I'm leaving. If you decide to come home, give me a call. If I don't answer, let it go to voice mail. I'll get to it at midnight when I get up to play Birds. If you come home now, I'll fix you a little dinner."

The Kids In Unison:  "Nah, we're too busy and our batteries are good so we'll eat here if we can ever get that waiter to take our order. I wonder what he's doing?"

Sandra's phone rings: "Hello," she says. "Yes, I know the waiter here. Oh, you're the waiter here! How'd you get my number?"

Waiter:  "I saw it on your phone when I brought the menus."

Sandra:  "Okay. Sure I can stop by your place and have dinner with you. Wait, my battery just died. Hold on, I'll put a new one in. Done! Is that better?  I'll come by about 7:30 if that's OK.

"Yes, of course I'll bring my phone. We'll need some way of communicating!"

The End

Scenes from Ocala's Sholom Park

Leaning Toward Homo Sapianism

This was cross-posted to Images-The Art of Photography.

Sculpture in the new Citizen's Circle in front of City Hall

Downtown Square All Decked Out For The Holidays

Gasoline and more...

At this service station, just off of I-75, you can purchase gasoline, beer, sundries, food, newspapers and magazines, and oranges - lots of oranges. This is the season for oranges!

The Arnold Palmer Legends Country Club in The Villages, Florida

The golfing great, Arnold Palmer, has numerous golf courses around the world, many of which he designed and built.  There are several Arnold Palmer golf courses in Florida.

These photos are of the Arnold Palmer Legends Country Club in the Lake Sumter Landing area of The Villages, Florida.  

The Villages advertises that people who buy a home in The Villages can play golf "free" for the rest of their lives.  Unfortunately, there's a catch.  That refers only to the numerous "Par 3" golf courses dotted around The Villages.  And if you're lucky enough to get a tee time at one of these courses and drive your own golf cart, you will have to pay a "trail fee."

To play at Palmer's Legend course, or any other of the major layouts, such as the Nancy Lopez course, you must have a membership, which is an added cost.   There are a number of hoops to jump through in order to get a tee time, also.  

All of this is why a number of folks from The Villages come to Ocala or other cities in central Florida to get in their games of golf.  

The pictures:

#1 - Arnold Palmer Legends sign

#2 - The Pro Shop

#3 - Flora in front of the Pro Shop

#4 - The Restaurant

#5 - Another view of the Restaurant 

Note:  This has been cross-posted to The Villages (Florida) Photos blog.

Cleopatra is Safe at Last!

It was a tough morning being chased all over the house by her twin sister, Cassandra, but finally Cleo found a place of refuge.

Teslas in Lake Sumter Landing, The Villages

I've seen a few Teslas on our streets, but not many.  We found two in Lake Sumter Landing in The Villages the other day.  The first one was rolling down Main Street to the delight on onlookers and the  other was parked which allowed those interested a closer inspection of this beautiful automobile.

This post has been cross-posted to The Villages (Florida) Photo blog.

Old Fire Engine

This is an old fire engine which was parked in a strip mall parking lot for some months. Now it's gone. The trouble with old fire engines is that they don't work so well. We just don't have many old fires. All our fires are new ones and seem to require new fire engines. Well, that's what I've been told.

Four Ways to Discover Cedar Key, Florida

   

 

This was cross-posted to our Cedar Key blog. 

Please note this was updated on 1/13/15 to include

our favorite way of travel - by bicycle!

Golf Course Bird House

I found this bird house on the 12th hole of the Ocala Golf Course. It's a bit strange to find a bird house on a golf course, but it's really strange to find one that is so beat up. It looks like some larger birds (or other animal) has successfully enlarged the original hole. I asked my friend to stick a finger in the hole but he refused. Politely. Chicken!

Small Stream in Lake Sumter Landing - The Villages

Appleton Museum - A Few of the Paintings on Display

 

 

Here are some of the paintings displayed in the museum.  The last photo is of a charming workroom for children and adults.  If you have some spare time and wish to hone your artistic skills, this is the place to go.

Appleton Museum - Artifacts on Display

The Seven Immortal Gods of Good Luck

My 9th-grade Algebra Teacher

Buddha #1

Buddha #2

An Incredible Vase

Asian Artifact