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!

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.

Life jackets - a necessity for most water sports

Downtown on a slow day

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!

Majestic sunset

Early morning run - Winding Oaks Horse Farm

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!

Rainstorm

How much is that kitty in the window?

A study in contrasts

This home is located on Ocala's east side.

Charley's

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

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.

Fox Squirrels acting squirrely