Ran into Santa on my beach a couple weeks ago. I guess he was getting in some relaxation before the big night.

I imagine that by now he’s on his way to your place…🎅🎄

I had some time to kill in Tampa this afternoon, so I popped into a curiosity shop (more about that later). Though there were innumerable oddities, I only made one small purchase.

I passed over the shrunken heads, buying instead a little novelty item. As you can see, the Fortune Teller Miracle Fish thinks I’m passionate (though I’m not sure I needed a little plastic fish to tell me that).

This curio is definitely misnamed, since it is (purportedly) picking up on my current feelings, and not, in actuality, divining upcoming life events. So, there’s no need to toss out your crystal ball!

The secret to this phenomenon? A thin coating of sodium polyacrylate that reacts to the moisture secreted by sweat glands in our palms. Watch it in action:

Apparently, we owe thanks to the Sinclair Oil Company for the proliferation of roadside dinosaurs in this country. In 1932, capitalizing on our fascination with the extinct beasts, they adopted a green brontosaurus, named Dino, as their logo in homage to the age of their petroleum.

The symbol proved incredibly popular and made finding a gas station easy, passing motorists knew to look for the green dinosaur. The rise of the personal automobile and cross-country road trips meant businesses had to find a way to attract customers. Taking a clue from Sinclair, colorful images and signs sprung up along the nation’s highways.

In the next few decades these signs evolved into life-size caricatures, thanks in part to Sinclair Oil’s Dinoland at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. The exhibit wowed crowds with its large dinosaur models (two of which eventually found a home at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas).

Closer to me, I’m lucky to have an original Sinclair gas station dinosaur. Built in 1964, it is still in use as an automobile service center. Just a few miles further south on Highway 19, is the bright pink Foxbower dinosaur. It was constructed in 1959 to draw tourists into the family’s wildlife museum.

I hadn’t set out in search of them but they certainly caught my eye. So yes, the gimmick still works, even after all these years!

Last week, I traveled down to Siesta Key with Katie to honor her recently departed aunt. While I love the beach near me, I can see why Siesta Key was so important to Katie’s family.

The powder white sand is probably the main reason why Siesta Key is ranked among the 25 best beaches in the world (according to TripAdvisor). Our long beach walk was capped by a stunning sunset, truly a fitting tribute to end the day.

I just had to stop and admire this East Coast Dune Sunflower (Helianthus debilis). As the name suggests, this ground-hugging species thrives in our sandy and salty soil on the islands.

While it lacks a pleasing aroma it more than makes up for it with a sunny disposition.

I hit my beach around noon today, wanting to soak up some warm sunshine before this afternoon’s oncoming storm. I wasn’t sure what to expect out there since riptide warnings had been issued, but the water was crystal clear and the colors were stunning. Just another day in paradise…