go with the flow – A Snowbird's Life Through the Lens

attention to detail, attitude adjustments, flowers, gardens, go with the flow, growing old, home, perseverance, photography, rain, storms, weather

In the breeze…

November 10, 2022November 10, 2022 naturecoastimagesblog

Because even though the ‘breeze’ is whipping the rain against the house in sheets, and even though I was listening to it in the dark this morning, it just doesn’t sound like a tropical storm in this area. I hope it’s no worse in the areas that haven’t yet recovered from Hurricane Ian.

I’m told that there was a small opening in the corner of the fence when they moved into this house. And they had dogs, so they planted the bougainvillea in the feature photo to help keep the dogs in. And now it’s the bougainvillea that is threatening to eat Wesley Chapel. I used to prune the small one I had in Spring Hill and my arms would take a beating from the nasty thorns this plant is known for. I had my cat at the vet once and he looked at my scratched up arms and asked, with a horrified look on his face, if the cat had done that. It is a pretty sight, but it would be prettier if it attracted bees and butterflies. And right now it’s waving those deadly fronds like crazy.

I was leaving Sam’s Club the other day and noticed this Rain Tree as I waited to make my turn. I once drove around Spring Hill looking for these trees, always so shapely, for a blog post. My fall foliage, Florida style.

And a rose from the garden of the local library where I went to pick up a few books since I wouldn’t be out in the rain taking pictures for another day or so. Nice library with an unexpected Florida friendly garden.

I have books, actual physical books, to read while I listen to the wind and rain today. I say that I prefer a real book, I’d rather turn the pages, which I’ve been known to try to do when I’m reading on my iPad. But my vision hasn’t been tested since my cataract surgery, and my cheaters don’t seem to be doing the trick as well as I’d like. I’ll probably pull the lamp a little closer also. The joys of aging…

a second look, attitude adjustments, go with the flow, growing old, healing, live and learn, perseverance, photography, sky, sunrise, technology

The rock and the hard place…

October 18, 2022October 17, 2022 naturecoastimagesblog

I took the feature photo with my new iPhone 14 pro max about 15 minutes after I peaked out the back window and saw an all white sky, and I congratulated myself on not going out for the sunrise. I’m not sure what made me look, and then I couldn’t find either phone to take a picture. Either phone, you may wonder? Yes, the new phone I ordered through Spectrum Mobile arrived exactly one week ago as I sit here writing this. My old phone transferred all my data to the new phone perfectly, until it was time to bring in the cell phone carrier info. It’s not just me, I found lots of people online who wiped their old phone and now have found themselves without a phone for 11 days, 24 days, and who knows if it’s longer for other people. It’s the SIM card in the old phone vs. the eSIM card in the new phone. In that sense it’s Apple’s fault for rocking the boat, but really it’s Spectrum’s fault. I didn’t intend to get a new phone until I saw that Spectrum also had a deal to finance the new phone and trade in the old phone. Spectrum now works with the eSIM card, says the advertising. Instant activation, it says! I will soon have to wipe the old phone and send it in. I have a ‘ticket’ in the queue for activation. A supervisor says it’ll cost me a $50 restocking fee to just send the new phone back. It’s called the Rock and the Hard Place. Someone who is also in this state of limbo said that he now has a $1200 iPod. At least I take pictures with mine.

To add to the general upheaval I had cataract surgery on Wednesday last week. Which all went perfectly, but added to the tension. I went for a post-op check the next day and had 20/20 vision. The doctor said I wasn’t supposed to be doing that well! But my close vision is now the pits, worse than I anticipated. I’m actually worried about the day I leave home without my cheaters. It’s bound to happen sometime. But if it’s a choice between a glitch with the iPhone or a glitch with the cataract surgery, I guess I’ll live without a phone for a bit. After all, I take lots more pictures with it, I hardly ever talk on the phone.

a second look, exploring new places, food, friends, fun, go with the flow, moon, perseverance, photography

Market Elaine…

October 9, 2022October 8, 2022 naturecoastimagesblog

Market Elaine comes to the shopping center called The Grove, on the 1st Friday of the month. Last month’s was rained out, but we decided to try again last night and we both were stunned at how huge this event was. This row of vendors was adjacent to the Crate with it’s shops and restaurants. So we started walking…

We walked a bit and then I took this shot of where we had been so far.

I stood in the same spot and took this shot in the other direction. There was lots more to see.

We followed the line of vendors into the shopping area of the Grove, where the vendors were also set up. I took this picture because I was surprised to see the Highland Axe Throwing company. Is this a thing? Other signs on the windows were amusing. “Hey, how’s your Axe,’ and ‘Like darts but more kick Axe, and ‘Beers and Axes, what could go wrong?’ I’m easily amused.

We hadn’t walked up that way before so we were surprised to find a nice pond. With a Limpkin doing a bit of hunting for his dinner.

Had to take a picture of this sign as we walked, after all, I like big mutts too.

Halloween was in full swing with the vendors, and this shop at the Krate. The Grove is the main shopping center, and it’s huge. Then they added Krate, which is an area of container shops offering food and more.

As we found a seat to wait for the entertainment we noticed the pale moon rising. I didn’t notice the birds flying in a V formation when I took this picture. When I do notice them in the sky I always try to get that shot, but this time I was oblivious.

There is live music on Friday nights, and this is Daniella Mass, who performed on Latin night.

What a voice on that girl. She said she is from Columbia, and she has a classical music background. Her music was not what I expected, not pop songs I’d ever heard, but beautiful ballads sung in Spanish, but I think the meanings came through. What a powerful voice on that little person.

I hadn’t been to a craft show in a long time, so I was interested to see what the vendors had for sale. There were clothes, for kids and adults, and not just tee shirts either. I was surprised at all the vendors selling crocheted creatures, I didn’t know they were popular. There were plants, Halloween decorations, several wood workers, and lots of baked goods. A fun way to spend an evening, but wear your walking shoes if you go!

'scene' along the way, a second look, blessings, boats, connections, food, friends, fun, go with the flow, let it go, perseverance, photography, sky, sunset, technology

Hitting the road, continued…

July 28, 2022 naturecoastimagesblog

Day two had us waking up to news of the flooding and storms in the Midwest, and I wasn’t so sure that we wouldn’t have to drive right through that weather. We did, but only for a short time and then we seemed to be skirting it as we continued. The weather on day three was great, and we reached our destination just in time to enjoy our first bowl of clam chowder in Plymouth, MA. Two tired people walked out of the restaurant and into some beautiful sunset color, and there we were without our cameras, but the best camera is the one you have with you and we are never without our iPhones. Looking at the photos in the iPad this morning and I was amazed. I hope they look as nice to you.

Boats and water, which we see all the time in Florida, but somehow it just screams New England.

I’ve forgotten if the ship is the Mayflower 2, but you see it’s masts breaking the horizon line.

Oh my, tired as we were I knew we had to enjoy this view for a little while.

Boats were returning to the launching area, but others were just being put into the water also.

And finally it was time to get some rest.

a second look, facing facts, friends, fun, go with the flow, perseverance, photography, sky, sunset

Location, location, location…

July 22, 2022 naturecoastimagesblog

If you like to shop my friend’s location is the place for you with it’s multiple, and very nice, shopping centers within a few miles. But I have lamented the lack of a great spot for the sunrise and/or sunset, based on the fact that I want to see all the way to the horizon line, and having some water for reflections seemed to me to be a must. But I will admit that going out the door for 10 minutes total, shooting a few pictures, and then having my feet up and ready to watch TV in no time flat has it’s advantages.

I appreciate being able to shoot down this street where I can see a bit more sky.

'scene' along the way, a second look, go with the flow, perseverance, photography, pigs, sunset, weather, Wind in my hair

Port Richey sunset…

July 15, 2022 naturecoastimagesblog

The race was on. My friend reported that the thunderstorm that had just pummeled his neighborhood was heading to my neighborhood. But from the look of things at that moment I thought it was worth the couple of minutes it would take me to get to the pond in my park andwatch. I thought maybe the clouds would light up for a few minutes, but the whole scene grayed over and I headed back to my house. And then the sky did show some pink so I turned the car around and went back. Those thunderstorms did arrive eventually, but I’m happy they held off as long as they did.