Thursday, November 30, 2017

The Dancer


Dancing for the joy of moving.

Back in Florida for a couple of weeks, but this is from Connecticut, to make me happy.

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Historic South Main Street





South Main Street in South Windsor runs along the Connecticut River, but high enough that it is not affected by seasonal overflow of the floodplain.  There is a mix of lovely old houses, farm land, modest modern houses and falling down relics.  I photograph only the nice houses.
OK, sometimes the wrecks, too, but not today.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Gingerbread Houses









Wood Memorial Library and Museum in South Windsor, Connecticut, has an annual 
holiday show of gingerbread houses.  

Monday, November 27, 2017

Happy Birthday


Susie turned 34 on Saturday.  Hazel and Willa were ready to help blow out the candles.
Wonderful daughter.  Wonderful mother.

Sunday, November 26, 2017

Lighting Up Main Street




There was a big turnout Friday night on Ridgefield's Main Street for the 
lighting of the trees for the holiday season.


Saturday, November 25, 2017

Happy Holidays!



The pages get turned fast around here.  Last night in Ridgefield, a choir welcomed the Christmas season at Town Hall in front of a big crowd before the Thanksgiving turkey had been digested.

Friday, November 24, 2017

Hydrangea


I'm kind of fond of the look of limelight hydrangea after the blooming season is past.

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving


In Connecticut for a week.  Sharing Thanksgiving with Susie and her family.
Before they arrived, I drove around Elizabeth Park on a wet, overcast, late fall day.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Old Route 41

Old Route 41 runs through the City of Bonita Springs.  The City leaders upgraded it from a rickety old local road to an attractively landscaped street that might -- they hope -- stimulate economic development.  They even installed a traffic circle that the locals are struggling to figure out. 


Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Setting the Pace


This sculpture by Colorado artist Jane DeDecker sits in Riverside Park in Bonita Springs.

Monday, November 20, 2017

Everglades Wonder Gardens

The Everglades Wonder Gardens is an "Old Florida"-style attraction that has been on life support for a decade or more.  The City of Bonita Springs stepped in two years ago, provided funding 
to rescue it, turned it into a nonprofit and hired a new executive director.


The Wonder Gardens was clobbered by Hurricane Irma.  But, with more help from the City and 200 volunteers, fifty truckloads of fallen trees and debris were removed from the park.  
The park opened again last week.  Today's post is linked to Monday Mural.

Sunday, November 19, 2017

Doctors Pass

Damage to roofs and pool cages and uprooted trees, along with the debris piles, are the most visible damage from Hurricane Irma.  But, in many cases the storm redistributed beach sand.  Friends on Sanibel have had their beach doubled in depth, receiving sand lost by Captiva.


Doctors Pass is at a vulnerable location in Naples, where Moorings Bay joins the Gulf of Mexico.  Collier County has approved a $2 million project to rebuild and extend a jetty and replace the 
beach sand that was lost.  The project has already begun and will take four months.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

Sunset


This is the sunset that led to the afterglow I showed yesterday.
Gulls and pelicans roost on the further pilings.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Afterglow




The pilings on Naples Beach at Third Street South are a good spot to view the afterglow
that follows a sunset.  Weekend Reflections.

Thursday, November 16, 2017

Two Greeters

The Baker Museum at Artis-Naples suffered water damage in Hurricane Irma.  It will be closed all season.  Greeters are posted at the courtyard entrance to steer visitors to the parts of Artis-Naples
that are still open.  I was there for the changing of the guard.


Sally Ann is proudly in her 80s.  Originally from Buffalo, NY, she has 11 children (not a typo).  After the last child left home, Sally Ann went back to college, got her degree and became a teacher.
She lives now in Florida because New York winters are too cold.  Sally Ann is an avid kayaker.


Caroline is a high school senior.  This is her first job.  She plays saxophone in the high school band and likes working here so she can see the concerts for free.  Caroline plans to go
to college next year, maybe the University of Florida.

My laptop is back.  The operating system was re-installed and it has a new battery.  Whew!

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Some Recent Pics


While I wait for my laptop to be repaired and returned to me (fingers crossed), here are some recent pics that I was able to get to.


A boy climbing.


Two pre-teens giggling about a selfie.


Yabba Island Grill, a Fifth Avenue South casual restaurant.

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Irma Again



When I posted recently that Naples doesn't look as bad as I expected post-Irma, I didn't mean to imply that there are no visible signs of damage.  Scenes like this are everywhere.

My laptop has been with the Apple Store since last Thursday.  Until I get it back, I will be marking time with the photos that I can reach without accessing my laptop . . .

Monday, November 13, 2017

Fifth Avenue South


Fifth Avenue South is the most prominent shopping and restaurant street in Naples.
A building boom is going on.



 Simple, low-rise buildings are being bought and torn down, to be replaced by bigger and fancier buildings.  Rents go up, small stores and restaurants can't afford them and move out.
I do worry about killing the goose that laid the golden eggs . . .

Sunday, November 12, 2017

Stop Light




He pulled up next to me at a stop light.  I will never understand.

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Bikers for Babies

On Sunday, about 900 motorcycle riders took a half hour ride from a Naples park to Harley Davidson of Ft. Myers.  The event raised money for the March of Dimes, to fund care for sick newborns.


A police honor guard led the procession.


A metallic blue Corvette convertible led the rest.



A big pack in day-glo shirts promoted the safety message "Look Twice." 



There were some characters.



Some grandmothers.






But mainly just some generous and friendly folks out to ride with their buddies, 
check out the other bikes, wave to the crowd, and raise money for a good cause.