Thought I’d share a little bit of holiday cheer. I snapped the images with sand in them, the rest I borrowed from the internet (CTTO).
Jollity
Last Chance to Sea
Even though it was windy and chilly (53 degrees) I headed out to my beach this evening. It was my last chance to get sand in my toes for awhile since the weather down here is about to get frightful (by Florida standards). As you might imagine, I was one of the only ones out there.
We’re dropping into the 40s tonight and will stay there for a few days. I know most of the country is dealing with even colder weather but I’m not at all sure I’m ready for this nonsense. I’ll probably go into torpor until the middle of next week when it warms up…stay warm and cozy, my friends!
Field Trip
I started yesterday afternoon’s explorations at Whimzeyland, an artist’s yard in Safety Harbor. In the past couple years, the colorful influence has even spread to nearby yards, making for a bright and fun neighborhood.
My next stop was downtown. I wandered along Main Street popping into galleries and shops, while enjoying the tempting scents from the many eateries. The waterfront village features a tiny harbor, a fishing pier, and a lengthy boardwalk.
I was most impressed by the massive live oak in the center of town. At well over 300 years old it is recognized as the oldest one in Pinellas County.
Before heading home I stopped off at the Folly Farms Nature Preserve. The park contains a large community garden, nature trails, and a small wetland area. It was a lovely afternoon outing!
Sunday Funday
Yesterday, I drove down to Manasota Key with a couple friends. Since they’d never been before, I showed Katie and Alyssa how to hunt for fossil shark teeth. Quick learners, they wandered along the shore doing the shark tooth shuffle. It wasn’t long before they both had a couple handfuls of shiny, black teeth.
I’ve played down there a few times before and though I am an avid hunter of all kinds of treasure, yesterday I was mostly mesmerized by the water. I love the beach in the area where I live but the color of the water south of Venice is just stunning.
We stayed for sunset (good thing we did, it was amazing) but by then we were starving so we stopped by an old Florida oddity, the Linger Lodge. The original log cabin lodge was built on the banks of the Braden River back in 1945.
Sadly, a fire destroyed the lodge in the late 1950s. The current version was built in 1968 and the decor hasn’t changed much through the ensuing decades. While we weren’t adventurous enough to order off the Road Kill Menu, we did try their alligator chowder and gator bites, which we all agreed were quite tasty.
What a wonderful day!
Gardener’s Delight
A few weeks ago I started a little kitchen garden in my backyard. In west central Florida, our mostly sunny days and mild temperatures are perfect for growing lettuce and herbs this time of year.
I’m delighted with the progress of the seeds I planted, my lettuce, dill, and carrots are coming along nicely. While the basil that I transplanted seems to be thriving.
Today, I had a happy surprise when I turned over some soil (in order to add some cilantro and catnip seeds. One for me, the other for my neighborhood boys, I’ll let you decide which is which). For the first time in two years of digging, I uncovered an earthworm in my yard!
I was so excited that I dashed for my phone so that I could take a photo. Either my wriggler didn’t share my enthusiasm or I’m terrible at reading worm body language. Regardless, I shall now add vermiculturalist to my resume!
What a Difference a Day Makes
As I walked the beach last night I couldn’t help but sing to myself that Dinah Washington song, “What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours…”
My serene sea from the previous night had been replaced by a turbulent one. Not only that but the wind was coming from the wrong direction. By blowing inland, it brought ashore the red tide that had previously been kept away.
Unlike last summer this year was a very moderate one for the large algae bloom known as red tide. Up until now, that is. With our unseasonably warm weather, water temperatures in the bay have yet to drop, leading to this late season outbreak.
It was a quick walk for me, since my eyes were watering and I was coughing from the foul air. I can get away from it but sadly, many of the fish cannot.
Flat Water
I’m so glad I didn’t miss the sunset last night! The colors were practically neon and the water was calm as a pond. All of which set the stage for a leisurely dolphin show.
I love living here!
Still Sanding
Earlier in the week, when it was warm and sunny, my friend Amber and I scheduled a beach day. Today’s cool and cloudy weather changed our plans, instead of relaxing and soaking up some rays we opted for a nice long walk.
Our route took us by the intricate sand sculptures on Treasure Island that are still in amazing shape. Especially when you consider that they were carved for the Sanding Ovations festival back in the middle of November.
Which reminds me, some of you had questions about the art last time I wrote about it: The sand the artists used is regular beach sand, but not from my beach. The festival received permission from the state of Florida to haul in sand from further south (I’m not sure exactly where). And according to the website, the sculptures will remain up through the end of the year, if nature allows.
Parade of Lights
I counted at least 20 festively-decorated boats and there a lot of viewers along the route. I recognized a few of the entries from the St. Pete Beach boat parade last week. I imagine they will also join the one in downtown St. Pete tomorrow night. I mean, if you’ve gone to all that work to decorate your boat you might as well show it off.
Well, that and there are some nice financial incentives. This parade offered each boat $100 gas card, with first prize winning $1200. Some pretty good incentives to “deck the hulls”!
The Sunshine City Lives Up to Its Name
Susan, my friend from Tucson, is in town for a quick visit this week. Since we’re both animal lovers we popped into the Dog Bar to cool off yesterday afternoon.
As you can see from the pup requesting a drink at the bar and the ones in the ice-filled pool it was a bit on the hot side. In other words, it was a perfect December day for me!
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