Seems like we could all use some more of this in our lives…

Spotted these while wandering around downtown St. Pete the past couple weekends.

I’m especially fond of the blue one, best kind of graffiti, if you ask me.

Sunday evening I finally reinstalled the motion-activated camera that I had taken down last September because of hurricane damage.

I wasn’t sure it would still work but thankfully, it powered right back up. I had purchased it primarily so I could watch wildlife activity in my yard and I have not been disappointed.

On early Tuesday morning it recorded a new visitor to my yard, an opossum (Didelphis virginiana).

I know they live in the neighborhood but this is my first yard sighting. Based on the way it moved through the terrain, the opossum is pretty familiar with my yard. Welcome, my marsupial friend!

Decided to showcase the botanical bash occurring in my yard right now. There are a few other species participating but they are camera shy (looking at you red and white salvias). I’m impressed by how many of these survived the saltwater inundation by Hurricane Helene last September.

As for the ones that didn’t, I’ve slowly been replacing them, mostly with natives (though I snuck an elderberry into my backyard mini-orchard). I’m pleased that it is already blooming! From the looks of things, my guava crop should be bountiful this season. And I’ll have at least one pineapple to savor. Tasty treats to look forward to!

Today, six long months after Hurricane Helene inundated this area, my house passed its final inspection. Such a relief to put this ordeal behind me!

While I tackled the majority of the work myself, I would not have successfully navigated this without help and support from my friends, family, and neighbors. I’m very grateful, thank you all!

My celebratory beach walk this evening rewarded me with two brittlestars and three sand dollars, all rare treats. It was definitely a 5-star kind of day! 🌟

Someone is demanding my attention. Westley is such a sweet boy!

When you go to an outdoor concert and the local rock station has a tent with freebies, it makes sense to check it out. Instead of the usual koozies and bottle openers, tonight they were handing out vitamins.

And not just any vitamins, but ones for women over 50. As if they were worried we wouldn’t make it through the night…

It was oddly hysterical. Rock on, sister! 🎶🎸

While sitting in a neighborhood park this morning (waiting for my car at the shop) I observed this colorful spectacle.

It was unexpected to see them in this part of town (so close to my house) and in such a large grouping. I counted 18 of them, the largest free-roaming flock I’ve ever encountered.

What a special treat, my very own little Mardi Gras parade! 🦚

Sharing some of last Friday’s sunset, because sometimes we just need to watch the waves roll in…

There are 7 toys in this photo. Westley plays with 0 of them but apparently they make great napping companions on a chilly, gray day.

I discovered a surprise guest in my backyard earlier today, an Ivy-leaved Morning Glory (Ipomoea hederacea). Not sure where this tiny volunteer came from but this bright blue bloomer is a welcome addition.

I imagine my pollinators will take full advantage of this new nectar source. Fun fact, did you know that the genus Ipomoea also includes sweet potatoes?