from the porches

hart springs

 
Hart Springs 

Today Truett and I took a drive for the first time in weeks and weeks.  We ended up at several springs in the surrounding area.  We've lived here 35 years and I've never been to several of the springs.

I've also found a wonderful photo editing program through Facebook.  Picnik.  Check it out.  My motto is:  If I can do it, then you can do it.

I like the collage effect and could have added many more photographs, but I've already spent almost an hour at the computer and feel the need to thank Truett for driving me around. 

Have a great week, everyone.

cloud

Yesterday afternoon Truett and I drove to Gainesville to see Merry Jennifer and the children.  Sam was on his way back from the LSU/Florida game, so we thought we would give Merry Jennifer a break. 

As it turned out, Merry Jennifer didn't necessarily need a break, so we just visited there at her house, followed by dinner at Blue Highway Pizza.  Delicious, to say the least.

On our way home, I looked to the east and this is what I saw. 

 

A huge, monster of a cloud seemed like it was within our reach. 

It kept billowing and billowing and rising higher in the sky as we drove at a snail's pace so I could photograph it.

Finally, we had to leave Gainesville. . .and the cloud.  It was truly awesome.

spring into actiion

This past week seemed like a blur. I hardly remember going to Micanopy last Sunday. 

Of course, I was on a quest for scarecrows; but I was also on the lookout for anything else that caused me to pause.

Along the way to Micanopy, we stopped at a fruit stand that had these beautiful firm tomatoes displayed.  We bought about six, but because of our busy week, they are still bundled up in the plastic bag just sitting on the shelf calling out to us,  "Eat me!"

 Micanopy has many old, old trees draped in spanish moss.  They're pretty creepy looking if you have an imagination as active as mine.

As we were leaving Micanopy we spotted this Eagle perched high on a dead tree.  Thank you, God.

Tonight Florida plays LSU.  We have friends from Orlando coming up to watch the game and spend the night, so in a short while Truett and I will spring into action to begin knocking things off our To Do list.

Have a great weekend everyone.  Halloween is almost upon us. 

are we sick?

Are we sick of scarecrows yet?

Here's one for you.

But this one doesn't have straw, so maybe it's not a scarecrow after all.

 Howdy pardner!  Can I be in your book?

So long, now.  

to be or not to be

I've been wondering if scarecrows have to have straw or hay sticking out of their bodies in order to qualify to be a scarecrow.

I've seen some pretty interesting stuffed bodies that I classify as scarecrows, but are they really scarecrows?  Take a look.

Okay, fella.  Turn around.

Did you get a good look at the face?  Did you recognize who this is?

 
That's right.  It's old Bill himself.

Giddyup!  

the search

My search for scarecrows continues.

One of the best places to find scarecrows is at "The Pumpkin Patch" near Alachua, Florida. 

But I must admit I got distracted by the unusual variety of pumpkins from New Mexico.

However, I did find a couple of sweet looking scarecrows that would probably be just right for the book.

 
  But then we moved on to downtown Alachua where I saw a disturbing scarecrow, almost as disturbing as scarecrow #1.

I think we need to take a closer look at this fellow.

Interesting, I'd say.  But take a closer look.  It's down right creepy.

Yikes!  That's sick!

What is it with these people?

fall surprise

 Wow!  Sometimes you think you're going to write about one thing, and in the blink of an eye, something else steers you in a different direction. 

Yes, it seems I cannot get the border around my photographs today. 

Bah! Humbug!  I liked the borders.

I'm also aware that Typepad is mostly about selling your businesses, so if any of you have suggestions about a different blog site I can post on, just let me know because this is downright frustrating . . not having a border around my photographs.

Anyway, I had a surprise today while Truett and I were driving the round-about-way to High Springs.

 
Yes, a photograph of a couple being pulled in a wagon by a miniature horse. ( I miss the border :( )

We pulled up next to the couple and they were very cordial, especially the man. 

"Sure you can take a picture.  Just come on up the road and take all the pictures you want," the man said.

But we didn't take them up on it. 

Now I'm thinking that these retired people have spent pretty much the whole day together and finally got out to take their horse for exercise.

And if the couple had spent their whole day together, then maybe. . .just maybe, they were looking for company.  You know.  Stimulation from someone other than each other.

Hummmmm! 

Food for thought.

Bye-bye, now.

home

 

Home Again.

Even though I had a king-size bed to myself, with five fluffy pillows, while I stayed in Tallahassee for two nights

There's no place like home

Even though I worked steady and hard for the Department of Education (Department of Education building shown in this photo)

Home is where the heart is.

 

flying east

On a little drive yesterday Truett and I saw flocks of birds flying East.

 I think they're herons, but for a moment thought they were sand-hill cranes.

It won't be long until I hear that garbling of the cranes.

thursday's child

I know I am a Thursday's child, and not because I'm full of woe.

No, I'm a Thursday's child because Thursday sits next to Friday; and we all know what that means. 

This Thursday's child is taking the grandchildren to swim lessons today and is also looking eagerly to the weekend.

Have a great Thursday.