No Manatee

It was 65 this morning and got up into the lower 80's

I helped with the railing until around 1000 when we ran out of materials.  When they went for lumber yesterday, there were no 10' worth bring home and only half of the 8' we needed.

So we decided to head to Apollo Beach.  We got there around noon.  The discharge water from the Big Ben Power station keeps the water in this area well above 68F.  A thermometer on one of the walkways was reading 77 for the water temperature.

We saw what we thought were a couple of tail splashes but that was about it.  A woman who had been there in December said they had seen hundreds of Manatee.  The gulf water temperature is 69F so the manatee do not need to come to this area to get warm.

We walked out to the wildlife are and saw this little sand crabs.

This guy was using them as his lunch.

Just to prove we were there.

We drove down into Apollo Beach and Beryl took a couple of pictures of the waterfront homes.  There are quite a few for sale.

The houses across the street are on small lots and there was a sign saying starting at $199K.

That's it for today.

Thought For The Day – I’m only responsible for what I say, not for what you understand.

Busy Tuesday

It was 65 this morning and overcast.  As the day progressed it turned partly sunny, humid and in the low 80's.

Around 1030 I helped Beryl carry the laundry up to the wash room.  Fran and Cap were reworking the railing around the office building so I became their gopher.  We ran out of materials around 1300.  Wallace, the park manager went to get enough lumber to do all the railings.  There are 10 9' sections and 5 8' sections that need to be reworked.

We headed up to Sonny's Bar-B-Q for lunch and then Walmart. We got back around 1500 and I went back up to help with the railing.

We are going to postpone our trip to Apollo Beach until Thursday.  Tomorrow will be more railing and Beryl is planning on raking leaves.

Catch ya later

Thought For The Day – Life is all about your choices. Make good ones.

A weird Day

Today started off around 65 and partly cloudy.  It got into the low 80's with little showers on and off all day.  Around 1600 we had an old fashion thunderstorm that lasted about an hour.  It cleared until 2020 and is raining again.  The rest of the week is supposed to be hot, muggy and no rain.

I spent time today making sure my medical insurance was in place.  I really love those automated phone systems.  I had to change my insurance at MSHMC so they can schedule my cat scan in March.  I also paid my outstanding charges from my pacemaker check.  I forgot about the deductible starting over in January. I verified that my AARP supplemental insurance will be paid with electronic payments.

Beryl cleaned the MH and read. She really likes her Kindle.

Catch ya later

Thought For The Day – The man who says his wife can’t take a joke forgets that she took him.

Cool, Rainy Sunday

Today started off around 50 with a light drizzle.  We had light rain on and off all day with a high around 60.

Around 1100 we headed over to buffet City for lunch.  From there we went to Bon Worth where Beryl picked up a few items.  At 1540 we headed to the activities center for the ice cream social.  While we were there it poured down.  After the social we sat and chatted with Al & June Lynn.  Al grew up in Espy and June outside Millville. They will be heading back to Allentown later this week.

Tomorrow will probably be rainy on and off but it should be warmer.  Later this week we plan to head down to Apollo Beach to see the Manatee.

Catch ya later

Thought For The Day – Fate leads the willing, and drags along the reluctant

Cool Saturday

Today started off around 60 and barely made it to 70.

We did nothing again today.  Beryl read and I watched NASCAR outside.  The temperatures are supposed to go back up tomorrow and be in the high 70's low 80's all week.  We might have rain late tomorrow into Monday.

Thought for the Day:  Mater tua caligas gerit  -  A closed mouth gathers no feet

Lazy Friday

Today was partly cloudy, breezy with a high around 80.

Neither of us felt like doing anything, so we didn't.  Around 1600 we headed over to Brooksville and the Texas Roadhouse. The steaks were really good and we tried the deep fried pickles.  After we got back, I sat outside and watched the truck race and Beryl was inside reading. It is 2300 and the temp is still 72.

Thought For The Day – Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort

Nothing new

Today started out around 70, overcast and sprinkles.  Around noon it turned to partly sunny and got up to around 80.

I spent the afternoon watching NASCAR and Beryl read.  For supper we went to the activities center.  They had pulled pork, baked beans, corn on the cob, coleslaw, dessert and drinks for $6.00.  After supper we sat outside and enjoyed the evening.

Catch ya later

Thought For The Day – The real measure of your wealth is how much you’d be worth if you lost all your money..

Tarpon Springs

Today started out in the mid 50’s and partly cloudy.  The high for the day was in the mid 70’s.  A little after 1600 we ran into heavy rains which lasted a good part of the way home.

We left a little after 0915 for Tarpon Springs.

As we left the parking lot, we were hit up about a boat ride to see how sponge diving was done. This is the boat we went out into the bay on.  The total trip and demonstration took about 45 minutes.

Our Captain explaining about the different types of sponges.

Our diver, Frank, is suited and ready for his helmet.  His boots weigh 24# and additional 70# of weight will be hung over his shoulders.

The suit is inflated and Frank is in the water checking the suit for leaks.  He will open the valve on his helmet to let air out of the suit and sink to the bottom.  Sponges are collected by the diver walking along the bottom.

 

 

This is Frank getting back into the boat.  Note the 35# weigh hanging around his neck.  There is also one on the back side.

All these pelicans are waiting for the return of the fishing boats

Next we headed to Hellas Greek Restaurant for Lunch.

 

We both ordered gyro platters. There was gyro meat, enough for at least 2 gyros, a pita, rice, green beans with tomatoes and 1/4 boiled Greek potato .  This  is about a half eaten meal.

Her are some pictures of the display cases in the bakery.

 

 

After that lunch, we didn’t have any room for desert.

The rest of the day was spent hitting the various shops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We never made it to the museum or several other displays.  It looks like we will have to come back again.

Thought For The Day – You were born an original don’t live or die a copy

Mardi Gras

Today started out partly cloudy and 50.  The day changed to Partly sunny with a high around 80.

Well we didn’t make it to Tarpon Springs.  We found out this morning there was going to be a Mardi Gras parade at 1300.  The parade had floats, costumed characters and music.  Even though it was small everyone had a good time.  Here are some pictures from the parade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wonder how she got those beads????

 

Catch ya later

Thought For The Day – People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.

Cooler and Breezy

Today was partly cloudy with periods of sun and breezy.  The high was around 70.

Today was a typical Monday.  Beryl did the laundry and read.  I started  searching the Internet for things to see in St Augustine.  It looks like taking the trolley tours is the way to go.  They have about 20 stops and run from 0800 to 1645.  Your tickets are good for 3 days and they have reduced cost packages for different attractions.

Tomorrow we plan on heading over to Tarpon Springs a little over an hour away.

That's it for today.  Tomorrow we should have pictures.

Thought For The Day – It is better to be a failure at something you love than to be a success at something you hate.

Wind and Scattered Showers

Today started out at 72 and went up to 84 by noon.  Then the wind picked up and we had scattered showers and the temp dropped to 74.

This was a typical Sunday.  We went to Buffet City and then Samsclub.  Once things were put away, I watched the end of Daytona qualifying and Beryl read her book. 

Thats about it

Thought For The Day – You have to let go of the life you have planned to have the life that is waiting for you

Ringling Museum part 4 of 4

Today started off overcast and muggy. In the afternoon it became partly cloudy, a slight breeze and a high around 80.

Today we will complete the tour of the Ringling Museum by visiting

The center contains posters ranging in size from window to barn sized.  The cornerstone of the museum is the world’s largest miniature circus, The Howard Bros. Circus Model.  The model is a replica of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1919 – 1938.  It was created over a period of more than 50 years by master model builder and philanthropist Howard Tibbals.  A circus from this period would employ around 1500 people and require a 100 car train to move them from place to place.

 

Unloading a wagon.

Various scenes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s all for the model.  A couple more pictures from the museum.

 

 

 

A Band Wagon

Various costumes and posters

 

 

 

That it for the museums.  Catch ya later

Thought for the Day - Doing what you love is freedom. Loving what you do is happiness