Where O Where Did The Driver Go?

He may have gone to lunch. Or he may have gone home. It's a conundrum!

Downtown Renewal

The "Powers-that-be" in Ocala have been talking about downtown renewal for some time and have taken some baby steps taken to achieve this, such as renovating the downtown square and gazebo.

But the big project has finally gotten underway...a block long building containing stores on the ground floor and luxury apartments on the top floor. I'm pleased that this is becoming a reality and think it will add some energy and excitement to a moribund downtown area.

Open Bible Lutheran Church - The Villages

This church was featured on our The Villages blog a few years ago. As I recall, construction had just been completed and its unique design stood out starkly against the blue Florida skies.

The name, "Open Bible Lutheran Church," is a good indication as to its general orientation. It is affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Church (WELS) which is the most conservative (very fundamentalistic) of all the Lutheran church bodies.

Open Bible's website declares the church "adheres strictly to the teachings of the Bible in all our doctrine and moral positions." Not much room there for interpretation of these "teachings of the Bible."

I don't remember who designed the church building, but I do recall being struck by its resemblance to Casper the Ghost.

You can see that resemblance better by referring to our original post here.

The Case of the Disappearing Mailboxes

The U.S. Post Office has been dealing with financial hardship for several years, mainly because a Republican Congress, which wants to privatize the postal service, has put a huge financial burden on the USPS by requiring the latter to have on hand enough funds to cover a variety of expenses forecasted for the future.

One result of all this is that the blue mailboxes which used to be on about every corner of the city, have, with a few exceptions, disappeared. It's a cost-saving measure. The mailboxes shown in this post are located in the parking lot of the Paddock Mall. Actually, that's a good place to have them as people can drop their mail off when they come to shop at the mall.

Gander Mountain

Two days ago, we posted a photo of a swordfish and yesterday we posted a photo of security cameras.

The swordfish is hanging just outside the front doors of Gander Mountain, which is a huge sporting goods store - catering mostly to those involved in hunting, fishing and water sports.

The cameras are hanging just inside the front doors of Gander Mountain.

Looking to your left at Gander Mountain

Looking down the center aisle at Gander Mountain

Looking to your right at Gander Mountain

Big Brother Watches You!

This is the entrance area to a large sporting goods store. Do you see the three cameras? You are being watched going in and going out!

Caught in mid-air!

Meeting at Stop Light

Blocking Pillars

These blocking pillars are part of a larger set in front of a local bank. Their purpose is to keep vehicles from running over patrons who walk the sidewalk up to the entrance of the bank but also to stop a person or persons from ramming a large vehicle through the front doors of the bank. Such pillars have become quite popular among many business establishments in recent years.

Nancy Lopez Legacy Country Club

Entrance

Directions

Entrance to the Lopez Legacy Restaurant

Lopez Legacy Restaurant

Golf ProShop

Back Entrance to Parking Lot (For Golf Cars)

Looking Toward Buena Vista Boulevard

Swimming Pool

Golf Course View

The Nancy Lopez Legacy Country Club is located in The Villages, Florida, a few miles south of Ocala.  Nancy Lopez is, of course, one of the greatest women golfers of all time and now that she is retired, this country club is part of her legacy.

Note:  This was cross-posted to The Villages (Florida) Photos.

Lunch Break

Walmart Workers

This little nut...

...was playing hide and seek with me, until he poked his head out at just the right time and I caught him! On camera.

Castle Carpets & Interiors

It is my understanding that this structure was built by a man from Germany who lived in it with his family. It is currently the home of Castle Carpets & Interiors, a well-regarded local firm that sells and installs various types of flooring and related items.

Highway Bathtub

This is one way to travel and stay clean at the same time. Photo by Lois Anne.

Ready to Go!

A neighbor, all packed up and ready to go on vacation!

Kayaking & Losing Your Head

Kayaking can be a lot of fun, but there's no point in losing your head over it!

The above photo taken at Dick's Sporting Goods.

Homes in Ocala's Historic District

Royal Palms in Watercolor (on a breezy day)

Moving Day

Highway 301, south of Interstate 10

Chili's in Deland, Florida

These photos represent the HDR effect.

A Safe Confrontation

The bird could not see the cat because we have a special film on the window
But, it certainly seemed as if it could and the bird kept taunting Cleopatra for several minutes.  Cleo did not take her eyes off the bird for one second.

The photos were taken by Lois Anne with an iPhone and through a screen so the quality is quite poor but I thought the subject matter made up for the poor quality.

Fireworks for Sale

The week before the 4th of July, fireworks tents sprout up in and around the city like unwanted weeds. Then a few days after the 4th, they rapidly disappear. It's illegal to buy certain fireworks in Florida unless you use them for agricultural purposes. To get around the law, people who wish to buy these fireworks go into a fireworks for sale tent, sign a paper saying they'll use them for agricultural purposes, buy a bunch of fireworks and then blow them up on residential streets. I'll bet a lot of these folks are members of the "Law and Order" bunch. I'll bet they also break the law by driving over the speed limit.

Tom

I think his name is Tom.  He is the "greeter" at an antique shop we visited in Micanopy, Florida.  The owner said Tom sleeps most of the time on a table in the middle of the aisle.  Tom loves everyone.

Tom was a stray who wandered into the store one day and claimed it for himself.
It appears he never intends to leave.  He's found a home.

People pet him, chuckle him under the chin, scratch his back, whisper sweet nothings in his ear and Tom takes it all in without so much as opening his eyes.  I do believe I saw him grin, though.

Backing Up Badly?

I'm not sure what's going on here, although some wag thought the owner of the truck, coming home late one night after hoisting a few at the local saloon, tried to back up into the driveway and missed. I would never suggest that, though.

Please note you will find other of our photos on L & L Photography.

In Anticipation of Christmas

Girl with multi-colored umbrella

The umbrella is to ward off the blistering heat of the sun.

Crepe Myrtle Bushes and Trees

Crepe myrtles are very popular here in central Florida.  They add much beauty and color to the landscape.  And they bloom for many months, although they do become "sticks" in the winter.

Like almost all bushes in central Florida, if you plant them and don't trim them, they will become trees.

These are just a few of the crepe myrtle bushes & trees in our neighborhood.

Looking down...

Amelia Island/Fernandina Beach in far northeast Florida is a wonderful place to live or visit on vacation. The enchanting historic district offers lots of history and many delightful shops. The people who run the place like to make visitors welcome.

One way they do this is to provide water dishes for our canine family members. Here are two women watching a family pooch slake his thirst on a very hot Florida summer day!

They are "looking down."

The City Daily Photo theme for July 1 is "Look Down." Please click here to see how other CDP bloggers have interpreted the theme.