Thoughts on Father's Day

I went for an outing this morning to downtown.  As I was sitting on my favorite park bench in Vinoy Park, I was noticing the various types of clouds.  Being Father's Day, my thoughts were about my Dad, and my kids.  I love Father's Day because even though my kids and I are separated by physical distance, we're only a phone call away.  As I was snapping pics, the song, Both Sides Now came to mind.  Judy Collins version, from her Wildflowers album was always my favorite.

I was thinking about my life, and all that has happened, and all that is yet to unfold.  I was enjoying the warmth of the sun, and the beautiful setting, loving it, and at the same time, feeling very alone and missing my family.  In three weeks, I'll be celebrating a 'landmark' birthday, and realizing that no matter how old we get, we're still searching for that perfect day, and meaning to our existence, and love and companionship.  So today I'm thinking about life, my kids, families and clouds.

Bows and flows of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud's illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
When every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way

But now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads
They say I've changed
But something's lost but something's gained
In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

March Morning in Vinoy Park

It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down. I had the radio on. I was drivin'. The trees went by, me and Del were singin' . . . wait, I got carried away. (I know, the waiting is the hardest part.)

Anywho, I have today off, so after having coffee and a wrap at Starbucks, I headed over to Vinoy Park to relax for a few. There was this sailboat race going on, very near to the Park. I raced home to get my camera, but when I got back the sailboats were down near the Pier.

Since I love palm trees so much, I decided to take some more (OH NO!) pictures of the view from my park bench. (YIKES! Have I become an old man sitting on a park bench? Just call me "Tyrone F. Horneigh" I do keep looking for Gladys Ormphby.)

Coming soon!

Rib Fest 2009

This past weekend was the annual Rib Fest in Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg. I went last year and loved the food! Wayne and I walked down from my apartment to meet Mike and some of his friends there on Saturday afternoon. There were musical groups playing all weekend, and Blue Oyster Cult was there on Saturday afternoon, and I thought I'd like to catch them there.

We got there around 2:00 pm, before the crowds got so big. Vinoy Park is right on Tampa Bay. Lots of boats were anchored nearby to catch the music.

There was also an auto show there too.

A choice of vendors: we ended up getting the Desperado Platter, same as I got last year!

These guys were eyeing my ribs!

Blue Oyster Cult about to take the stage. By this time it was getting crowded and we were getting old. All the loud music was getting to us! So, as they were singing their first song, we started heading back to my apartment.

Florida Orchestra Pops in the Park (Vinoy Park)

Saturday night the Florida Orchestra had their Pops in the Park Concert in Vinoy Park in downtown St. Petersburg. Last week we were having record high temperatures, and these past few days we have been having record lows!

Since we were bringing a picnic and the beach chairs, we drove part way there. It draws big crowds, so we were about half the distance from my apartment to the park.

We arrived around 6:00 pm for the 7:00 pm concert. We scouted out a parking space for our chairs, not too far from the stage. The park was filling fast.

Our "neighbors" took this picture of us. The food is actually their spread. It was more photogenic than ours!

The concert was excellent and the sound system was great!

I took this video of the orchestra finale (The 1812 Overture, what else?). Afterwards we packed up our stuff and were heading back towards the car. We had thought that the fireworks were over, but they kept going!



I caught this finale, and without thinking, (Duh!) I turned the camera on end, forgetting that I was taking a video. So, to fully enjoy, turn your computer on it's side to view. :-)