Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Cassandra & Cleopatra


Cassie and Cleo are checking out the morning weather to decide what to do. They determined rain was possible, so turned around, went inside and then to bed!

Shadows are born of the morning light


The City Daily Photo theme for June is "Shadow and Highlight." In this photo, taken early in the day at the Ocala Golf Club, one can see how shadows are born of the morning light.

For other takes on the theme, click here.

Monday, May 30, 2016

The Anything & Everything Shoppe is now nothing & rotting...


...an old horse barn keeps watch from a distance.





The building (2nd & 3rd photos) which last housed the Anything & Everything Shoppe has had several incarnations in the past.  It was a Gold (buy and sell) store, and I believe before that a thrift store.

It is located in a superb commercial location on Highway 200, the main thoroughfare through southwest Ocala.

Behind it is another building, pictured above...an old horse barn.  That's been sitting empty for at least six years.  The horses are long gone.

I'm intrigued that these structures are vacant & deteriorating in the midst of a thriving commercial area.

Sunday, May 29, 2016

The Canyons Zip Line & Canopy Tours




The first time I saw this place I was quite surprised because I didn't think we had any natural formations that would support such an enterprise.

Well, we do live in very hilly country, and this zip line, from what I understand, goes over a valley, and over the trees and I've heard it is a lot of fun.

Perhaps if you visit Ocala, you'd like to give it a try?


Note: Photos are by Lois Anne.

Saturday, May 28, 2016

The Last Laugh



 I stopped my bike, to take a break
and far off I could see
a big brown cow eating grass
and sneaking peeks at me.

Another day I stopped again
and right there stood the cow
the nosy girl was wont to know
What I was doing and how.

I explained the best I could
City Daily Photo
She mooed and snorted and then she said
"I may be a cow but I'm not slow."

I got on my bike and rode on home
     but I got that old cow's photo  
 Perhaps someday a farmer boy
 will take her pic to her to show.  

That's when I'll come riding by 
and I'll yell at that ol' cow:
"Ha, ha, ha! You snooty beast 
Who's got the last laugh now?"

Friday, May 27, 2016

Margaret


This is Margaret. She is a checker at our local Publix supermarket. She is a delight. As you might guess, this photo was taken just before Easter when she agreed to pose for the camera even though she had bunny ears sticking out of her head. That was very nice of her!

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

On her way to school with the kids




Note:  There a new and silly little poem on Creative Confections today.

Monday, May 23, 2016

Donkey Crossing


Da Trumpf Auto (View at your own risk)


I post this photo with trepidation for I do not wish to give da Trumpf any additional publicity.

It should be viewed only by adults with a strong stomach.

It was found, appropriately enough, on the front property of a large and very ugly junk yard.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Homemade Hot Rod


This fine vehicle appeared in a driveway near us just recently. But it only stayed about a day. Then it was gone. It appears to me to be a homemade dune buggy or some such.

Friday, May 20, 2016

Golf Cars all in a Row



The Villages, as most of my readers know, is a fast-growing adult (+55) community located in central Florida (about 70 miles northwest of Orlando and 30 miles south of Ocala).  

At present there are over 157,000 residents in three major sections:  Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter Landing and Brownwood.  Each of these sections has a "hometown," consisting of shops and restaurants, with a town square where music is performed live every evening of the year barring inclement weather.

Most residents have a golf car.  Many of these cars are customized to suit their owner's tastes.  Some run on gasoline, others on batteries.  The Villages provides golf car paths throughout its 20,000 acres!  Golf cars that run on gasoline may drive on local streets provided they have the proper safety equipment such as lights, turn signals, etc. 

There are so many golf cars running about the hundreds of miles in The Villages that it can be downright dangerous for bikers or pedestrians.  Remember that many of the residents are old and shouldn't be driving a bicycle much less a golf car.

The pictured golf cars are "plain Janes."  Most, if not all, are made by Yamaha. So far as I know, these are not sold to residents but rather to the numerous golf courses in The Villages.  This is their "storage lot" in Lake Sumter Landing.

The Villages website is here.


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

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Possess Me!


No further comment needed. Be sure to click on the photo to embiggen it.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Dog Lovers and Such


Some folks have a need to let the whole world know that they oppose abortion, or that they think someone removed Christ from Christmas, or that Obama is going to take away their guns...etc.  Others must tell us that they love Jesus, or Donald Trump, or Peace, or Guns, or the NRA, or their Kids, or, in this case, dogs.

I don't know why they have this need because no one gives a hoot.  In many cases, stickers on cars cause anger and resentment and occasionally road rage. To love dogs, though, is a rather benign activity (unless you are a cat) and so, this car does not represent stupidity so much as a neurotic need to announce to everyone on the planet that they heart dogs.

Altogether now:  We Don't Care!

(But it made for a fun post!)

Monday, May 16, 2016

Maserati at the Ocala Golf Course





The Ocala Golf Club is a municipal golf course and, in my opinion, one of the nicest courses in the Ocala area, excluding the exclusive private golf clubs.

The first shot is of the fifth hole, a par three over water.

One sees a variety of vehicles in the parking lot on any given day.  Usually there is a selection of sedans and SUVs and some pickup trucks.  A few of the sedans and SUVs are of the "luxury" class.

But I've never seen a Maserati in the parking lot before.  Yet, there it was, parked in a slot just like all the regular cars.

I don't know much about Maseratis, other than they are very expensive and usually driven by rich people.  When I asked about this car, I was told it probably cost between $100,000 and $150,000.

I liked it, but would be afraid to drive it on local highways and byways.

[The Ocala Golf Course is managed by Billy Casper Golf, an organization that operates over 140 courses around the world.  Billy Casper was a prolific American golfer, winning 51 PGA tournaments (ranked 7th all-time).  He was most active in the 60s and 70s.  

Casper died of a heart attack in 2015.  He is survived by his wife of 60 years.  In his 30s he joined the Mormon church and took seriously the charge given to Adam and Eve in the creation story to populate the earth - he had 11 children and 71 grandchildren!]

Sunday, May 15, 2016

Timber Ridge Community Church



Timber Ridge is an area in southwest Ocala, partly urban, partly rural. This church is located in the partly rural area. It seemed an appropriate post for a Sunday in May.

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Kitty On Table


This is a photo of a painting. I found the painting in Ocala. Thus, I'm posting it on Ocala & Central Florida Photos. It's one of those paintings that made my black heart go pitty pat very fast.  Every cat lover knows what I am talking about.

I'd like to dedicate this post to my friend, William, at Ottawa Daily Photo. If you look carefully, you will note William has another blog, Speak of the Devil, in which he offers up a variety of delicious social and political commentary and in which he provides a closer look at our canine and feline friends.

William is, it seems, a Pied Piper of felines.

Friday, May 13, 2016

Horse Fever Horse


This representative of the Horse Fever program in Ocala is located at the offices of the Ocala Horse Breeders Association. It's one of the nicer Horse Fever horses, in my opinion.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Southern Pig & Cattle Co.






Southern Pig & Cattle Co. is a new restaurant in town.  So far it's been well-received and is doing a bang-up business.  It is a "smokehouse" and features, therefore, beef and pork, although they do serve other meats and fish.  The business offers a super salad bar and very fast service.

When you walk in you seat yourself (there is ample seating) and within seconds a waitress appears at your table.  We've eaten at Southern Pig & Cattle Co. a number of times and have, every time, been surprised at how fast the food arrives, hot and ready!

The prices are right and they provide a very special and very welcome treat - soft-serve ice cream in cones.  And it's self-service.  When you leave or just before you leave, you draw yourself a soft-serve ice cream cone.  It's delicious and a perfect way to complete the meal.  Best of all, it's free!

When you arrive and walk up to the front door, you're presented with two gauges (notice the 3rd and 4th photos above) one of which tells you the time of day, and they other the temperature, which is a nice touch. 




Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Morning at the Winding Oaks Horse Farm


Wildflowers on the Winding Oaks Horse Farm


Scraggly Tree With a Lot of Charm


Racing/Training Track on Winding Oaks Horse Farm


Rider and Horse on Morning Workout

The Winding Oaks Horse Farm is a massive operation (700-800 acres) surrounded by homes and businesses.  It has been owned by Eugene Melnyk, a wealthy Canadian, but a couple of years ago we received word he was retiring and selling out.

At present, however, the operation still seems to be going strong as a racing stable.  The racing/training track seen above is about a mile from our house and we can see horses and riders working out most every morning.  The property is being kept up and looks like a thriving operation.

Click HERE if you're interested in knowing more about Winding Oaks Farm.

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Fireplug Mailbox


This has to be one of the more unique mailboxes in our area.  I wonder where one can obtain a used fire hydrant?  I like the heavy duty tractor on top, too.

Sunday, May 8, 2016

HITS - The Final Series 2016







HITS is an acronym for Horses in the Sun.  It is a hunter/jumper horse show.  In Ocala, it runs from January through March and offers a series of competitions with substantial prize money for the winners.

It is a massive event, with people and horses attending from all over the world. And the farm acreage where it is held becomes like a small town.  Because of its size, people ride horses to get to different places, or motor scooters, or golf cars.

We've attended HITS for several years but were late getting out there this year and so missed most of the jumping events.  But we've posted a number of photos of the shows and you can find them by typing in "HITS" in the search box on this blog.

For more information, click here.

Saturday, May 7, 2016

Polaris Slingshot


This was spotted about two blocks from where we live. I've never seen it in our neighborhood before so maybe it is someone's new toy.

It is a Polaris Slingshot.  It is not a car.  It is a three-wheeled motorcycle.  The slingshot comes in a variety of colors and models and prices start about $20,000.

I want one.
"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