Treasure Island

I got out of work at 2:00 pm today and decided that it is time to head back to the beach. It was a beautiful afternoon. I arrived around 3:00 pm and there was a nice breeze. The water has warmed up, and it's comfortable to walk along the waves. The wind whipped up my umbrella at one point, but luckily, my reflexes aren't that slow yet and I grabbed the pole as it flew out of the anchor.

I had on my sun block, so sat there in my beach chair, sans umbrella.

I decided that instead of my usual beach photos, I'd take a walk along Gulf Boulevard which runs along the beach. All of these photos were taken along that one stretch of road.

There were some unique mail box holders.

Under construction.

This had a price tag of $1.5 million. The three lots together there could be had for around $5.5 million.

My Rabbit, parked right across the street from the beach house.

I went over to Philthy Phils for dinner, then back to the beach to watch the sunset. It was an amazing sunset. There were no clouds and the sun was a bright yellow orange ball. It was the first time I had witnessed it as so clear, and sinking slowly into the water. Breathtaking!

Graduation Day

See! I do work!

These pictures were taken at my Integrity Selling class graduation this morning at the Grow Financial FCU Headquarters in Brandon. We each gave a speech. A nice breakfast brunch was provided for us.

When I got back at the branch in St Pete at noon, the teller line did a wave for me . . . was toooooo funny!

"Lilac Tree", Southern Food and Baseball

It seems that for the past week or so, I've noticed these trees in blossom all over the place. Their color reminds me of the lilacs that begin to bloom in early May up in New York. This tree is a few blocks from my apartment.

On Saturday night we (me, Scott, Keith and Wayne) went to dinner at Savannah's on Central Avenue in St. Pete. On the way down we ran into traffic all backed up from the sellout crowd heading to the Tropicana. The Boston Red Sox were in town and unfortunately for them, lost all 3 games in the series to the Tampa Bay Rays.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Baked Flatbread

Chocolate Chip Pie

On Sunday afternoon, Una Voce (well, some of the chorus) sang the Star Spangled Banner at the Dunedin Blue Jays / Sarasota Cubs game.

It's a nice stadium, but as you can see, there was hardly anyone there. But a beautiful day for a baseball game!

A Thought Before a Break

Happy Birthday!!!

Today is Adele's Birthday! We talked on the phone this afternoon after I got out of work. I miss her a LOT! She's spending her day with Hoops and Yoyo and Piddles. She's done with semester finals, so gets to relax on her day! Adele has taught me a lot about how to have fun. She always makes holidays special and her excitement around the holidays is contagious! When she was a baby she gave me quite a workout walking her back and forth! Thank you Adele! I love you!

This picture was taken last October on Sunset Beach when the girls visited.

I love this picture from her 5th Birthday! I have a couple of those red noses . . .

Mainsail Arts Festival, Saturday Market and Brunch

This weekend was the Mainsail Arts Festival. The weather was beautiful; warmer, sort of a hint of what's to come in a few months. On Saturday, Wayne and I walked down to the Saturday Market first. It's been a while since I've been there, so we thought we'd check it out. We stopped for lunch at TooJays at BayWalk. They had a deli brunch till mid afternoon, so we decided to have the breakfast selections. Wayne had a "strata" which reminded me of the dishes that Dave used to make up there in Albany. I went for the special with eggs, bacon, sausage, pototoe wedges, a waffle and toast (which the waiter never brought).

BayWalk and TooJays.

Downtown was hopping. There were people all over the place.

There were plenty of booths with arts, crafts, artwork, ceramics, glass work, furniture and food.
One of the members at my credit union makes wood furniture, many in the 'Adirondack' style. His company is Island Time Design. Very comfortable, I must say!

Wayne tried one of these in another vendor booth. More comfortable than it looks!

Passed this house on the way.

We rented "Dan in Real Life" and watched that Saturday night. Some snacks?

On Sunday we were invited to a brunch at Bob's and Alan's condo in downtown St Petersburg and then the bunch of us walked over to the Festival.

This condo was beautiful. And it was just sold! A corner unit on the fifth floor that overlooks downtown St Pete, with a great view of fireworks at the pier, from one of the balconies.

Would you believe that all ten of us rode to the festival in this Smart Car? Nah? OK. I lied. We walked.

These glass pieces were amazing! And a hefty price tag too.

We happened to be standing there to take advantage of the shade when one of the guys said we looked like an ad for AT&T's "More bars in more places" campaign.

I think this guy must have had a long day...

These vines on the fence in the back of my apartment building are all in bloom with a very sweet smell.