Existing In BFE

I no longer do Halloween.  The last one I did was at the Burgess Bar where the theme was favorite household item.  I went as duct tape.  Not very scary and ultimately quite warm, as I recall.  I've got a picture of it around here somewhere, but that is not for today.  Like anyone I get the heebie-jeebies whenever I let my imagination roam.  The old haunted house routine is usually quite effective.  I was going to do my own YouTube-type scary movie video but couldn't round up the necessary hands to help me pull it off.  So, here we are, Halloween day.  The sun will be out and no respecting ghost haunts during the daylight hours so you are safe…until nightfall.  Here are some rather creepy home videos to get you started.  Have a great Halloween.  But be careful.  There are spirits about… HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Today is one of those days when very little composition is necessary.  Two people.  Mother and daughter with a phone camera.    With these phones we are the most photographed and videoed multi-generational society ever.  And because photography is now free, future sociologists will have no problem piecing together everyday life in the world at this time.

I tend to be linear on this page, chronologically speaking.  It's boring that way, but it works for me.  At any one time I may have a couple weeks ready in the bin and that number increases with my activities.  The newest post gets put at the end of the line.  I may have two or three weeks all queued up ready to go.   So the blog isn't always terribly current (except for Tidbit Tuesdays), but it's in its right order.   Today, however, I break that usual policy and insert something that I saw Sunday (October 27th)  that kind of defies belief.  The pictures are poor, the subject is hard to see.  But, hopefully we can attempt to construct for you what we shall refer to as "The Car".   Went to Bradenton on Sunday to the Robinson Nature Preserve which will be queued soon for your enjoyment.  A quick stop in McDonald's for breakfast seemed in order because 1) breakfast is always fun and 2) a long walk requires strength and stamina.     Pulled in

Summer in Florida is best spent inside.  (However, this year was hotter in the North than down here.) The heat can really get to you in June, July and August.  However, when Fall approaches it's time to head back out and it had been awhile since I'd been to the Vinoy Park downtown.  Long time readers know it is one of my favorite spots and there is always something to see.   For relaxing, nothing else beats its.  Stroll around or hit a park bench.  Either way there's lots to see. They say the 2nd happiest day of your life is when you sell your boat.  Man, wouldn't it be great in between those dates, though? A woodpecker working on lunch.  It's funny.  I took about 15 shots of this guy and none are too crisp and well defined.  Wonder why? This guy was looking for easy handouts.  These vermin are pretty tame here at the park.  Lots of people throw peanuts at them. You'll notice that I usually take people'

Offices, I suppose, reflect their occupants, perhaps more so than anything else.  One's home may not have a room to reflect a single person and garage's aren't always the best vehicle either, although my old one on Grove Street sure gave it a good go.  Let's take a look at my old office at MDH and see what goodie's we can find.    Clockwise from top right: 1.  Mary Davis Home Appreciation Certificate 2.  Picture of me and Pat Johnson at one of the Mike Johnson Open awards ceremony.   3.  IPCSA (Illinois Probation and Court Services Assoc.) Recognition Certificate  4.  Recognition Certificate from American Heart Association (In relation to Mike Johnson Open) 5.  Putter given to me by the Johnson family for Mike Johnson Opens. 1. Upper center are my old cars. 2.  Right is a gag gift from Henry County Probation, regarding keys to city. 3.  The red chair was a carryover from the pre-remodeled MDH conference room.   4.  The p

Various items that may be of interest, or not. Bet you didn't know that each state has its own rules regarding resale of mattresses in retail shops.  In Illinois it is illegal to sell used mattresses in stores although it is OK in private transactions.  Florida allows it.  From the looks of this store, however, I wouldn't by a key chain .   This cute fellow was hanging onto the side of the exterior wall early one morning as I was taking the garbage out. My son-in-law manning one of the machines at work.   When his Personal Training days ended when the gym was sold, he landed a job in Dunedin at Coca-Cola.   I still babysit.  As you can see, we have a general policy of diapering convenience.  Every day when I sit for Norah it's Casual Friday.   She particularly enjoys being at the command center.  This little guy was rushing along the sidewalk the other morning.  The picture isn't too clear, is it?  I need a macro lens for th

For a few weeks during the summer, the Saturday morning Farmer's Market moves from Progress Energy Field parking lot to Williams Park in downtown St. Pete.  This is usually called Bum Paradise since this is the home of the homeless.  The cops come and sweep the place of the bums, needles and what-not to ensure a reasonable experience for vender's and customers.   Kenzie needed honey so off we went.   Bum Paradise, oops, sorry, Williams Park provides perhaps 10-20% the usual tents you would see at the normal Farmer's Market.   Here you will still find the sellers of organic veggies,  the woodworking of retired transplanted Northerners and the loom-weaving hippies who never grew out of that phase.   I'll bet this guy wasn't even born before Woodstock.  He's a hippie wannabe.  To be honest, I don't think we young hippie's ever made stuff on a loom.  C'mon!   Oh look!  Let's get something from Taste Of Ethiop

A kind reader sent me an email this past couple of days regarding the Bugos -White building south of Alpha a few miles next to the old abandoned livestock barn.  Last Thursday's blog entry had a couple of pictures and when back in August I stopped and checked them out.  The reader told me that Bugos -White was a shaft mining company which existed  between 1941 and 1957.   Thanks, Jeff, for the information. Mark November 9th on your calendar.  If you can, please consider attending the Benefit For Lisa Makeever at the Knights of Columbus in Galesburg, Illinois from 3:00 pm till 9:00.  Lisa and Dave are our old neighbors on Grove Street.  Lisa had an aneurysm this summer and is looking at more surgery.  They are great friends with mounting medical bills.  They and daughters, Mindi, Ashley and Tara have organized a silent auction, drawings, and fun to help defray their bills.  Lots and lots of cool things to bid on.  Wish I could be there.