Florida Cracker Crumbs

Flarda flashback

2011-09-18T02:08:00.004-04:00

Just came across this tiny little bit of Flarda's past.
I have a feeling at least one reader has seen it before. 8-}

On this day...

2011-08-06T02:45:00.000-04:00

Thank you, Brigadier General Paul Tibbets, and your brave crew!

Save Our Hay!

2011-06-16T15:58:00.001-04:00

Help Stop Genetically Modified Alfalfa!

Please join Organic Valley in supporting the Center for Food Safety's fight against Monsanto's Roundup Ready® GM Alfalfa! Organic Valley will match your contributions to the Center for Food Safety dollar-for-dollar to a maximum of $25,000.
Donate Now

Florida Factoid Friday

2011-05-27T18:17:00.003-04:00

First built in 1833, relocated in 1852,

the Cape St. George Lighthouse collapsed

into the Gulf of Mexico on 22 October 2005.

Volunteers rebuilt and, again, relocated the structure.

The restored lighthouse reopened in 2008.

revisionism

2011-05-14T04:28:00.000-04:00

Well, I let myself fall into the hole again. I try to NOT read comments on controversial posts, coz I know I'm gonna get mad, or sad, or disgusted with the human race...

I happened upon a short article about a man's fight to allow a Confederate flag on FL license plates. A couple of quotes in the article itself made me mad, sad, AND disgusted. Then I just had to read some comments. Which led to reading more comments... and more... *sigh* Seriously, I'm so tired of being maligned for something my ancestors never did. Even if they had, why should I be ostracized and called derogatory names for it? It just amazes me how hateful people can be while calling me a defeated, redneck, backwards, inbred hater.

OK, I just backspaced over a lot of 'facts', coz most of y'all already know all that. Most who don't have their minds made up and don't want to be bothered with facts, anyhow. I just wish I could take pride in my ancestors' commitment to a JUST cause without being compared to a nazi. 8-(

Fractured Florida Factoid Friday

2011-05-13T15:30:00.005-04:00

FLORIDA FOLK FESTIVAL

Friday, May 27 through Sunday, May 29, 2011
Open daily at 8:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. Friday
Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park
11016 Lillian Saunders Drive
White Springs, Florida

One of America's oldest and largest folk festivals.

Highlights include music by...

Sam Pacetti grew up in North Florida, hardly known as a hotbed of either the folk tradition or musical innovation. At age 13 he found the music of both Chet Atkins and Merle Travis, profound influences on his early musical development. Then fate intervened shortly afterward in the person of Gamble Rogers, the legendary picker and raconteur from St Augustine who took the young Pacetti under his wing. It was a time of astonishing musical and emotional growth. Pacetti and Rogers me and played weekly for a year, until tragically Rogers died while trying to save a drowning tourist caught in an undertow at FlaglerBeach, Florida. Though brief in their time together, Rogers was able to instill in Pacetti the importance of the folk process, the passing of music and oral tradition from teacher to student. Pacetti still counts Rogers as his most influential mentor. read more...

Cheerier topics?

2011-04-15T22:52:00.003-04:00

Just thought I'd pop up for a breath of fresh air and pass along an interesting link. It's a world map, showing, 'in real time', all the volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, biohazard incidents, epidemics, airplane & vehicular accidents, etc... like everywhere! OK, I doubt it shows EVERY fender bender on the planet. But it's pretty dawgawn cool, anyhow! To see basic information, click on a symbol. Its info box has an option to click for more details. I've noticed a lot of the air incidents don't dish out much detail. Just a link to the FAA page. Fair warning... I did notice it made my browser (Firefox) really sluggish after a while. I don't know if that's due to FF's memory hog reputation or just an overload from too much information flowing. I haven't tried viewing it in IE yet.

Another similar, but not nearly as comprehensive, site: Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System.

Florida Factoid Friday

2011-02-25T13:44:00.003-05:00

The tiny island town of Cedar Key, once the western rail head of Florida's first cross state rail line, is the number one producer of littleneck clams in the US. The salt water estuary provides ideal conditions for their growth.

Re the manatee...

2011-02-09T18:15:00.004-05:00

SO sorry I didn't get back to those who commented, here and elsewhere, about the manatee excursions! Stuff happens, knowwhutImeanVern?

Anyhow, I have no problem with a person who has a little sense swimming with the manatees, or even touching them. Unfortunately, common sense is extremely UNcommon, hence the laws regarding same. My major problem is how a pack of mow-rons treats the poor critters after shelling out a few bucks to be hauled out amongst 'em, as if their payment grants privileges unseemly. 'Nuff said.

Hope y'all are having a bodacious year. Mine's been pretty crummy so far, hence the even greater than usual dearth of postings. But one day, the sun will shine again, right? And one day, it'll be over 60° again, right?

I'm mad!!!

2011-02-04T14:01:00.004-05:00

I was just thinking what a nice deal I found - 1/2+ off a manatee or dolphin excursion in Crystal River - when I read what the manatee tour included. Isn't touching a manatee in the wild illegal?! Apparently, the same people who are supposed to be working to protect these wondermous creatures see nothing wrong with issuing special permits to bottom feeders looking to cash in on the docile nature of Florida's state marine mammal. What's wrong with this picture?!

I just watched a short video of divers 'snuggling' up to a group of manatees who couldn't get into the warm springs, as it was already overcrowded. They were cold and hungry and trying their best to stay warm and conserve energy. You cold see that they were trying to get away from the people who used them to push off, rode on their backs and chased after them.

DAWG! There's a reason there are laws against this stuff! But if you shell out a little cash, we'll let you do it, anyway.

Now I realize that there are two sides to every story. If anybody can tell me any part of the other side that makes this OK, please enlighten me. Coz right now, I'm kinda sick to my stomach.

Spring, where art thou?

2011-01-27T16:04:00.003-05:00

I know just how he feels!

Old dog, new tricks? How to Netflix?

2011-01-25T14:47:00.003-05:00

OK, so I'm about convinced to give Netflix a try. But I'm totally confused about how to set it up. I mean, if I hook something up to my current DSL modem/router/whatever it is, which has maddening issues when it rains... or gets real cold... or a squirrel chews a wire, am I going to get cut off in the middle of a movie? If I do a separate dealie, will there be conflicts? Why do the all the streamers have to be so expensive?! I don't have a Wii or Blu-ray or X-box or any other handy dandy black box. We don't do any of that stuff. So I shell out $75-$100 (or more) just to receive the Netflix stream? I mean, what if I do the free trial and decide it's not for me, after all? I now have a $100 black box to collect dust, and it doesn't even have any redeeming decorative qualities.

Once I get it, IF I get it, how do I hook it up? So far, all the 'instructional' pages I've found are quite obviously aimed at someone who has a clue to begin with. I don't. It's actually pretty discouraging and I've just about lost the will, knowwhutImeanVern?

Anyhow, have any of y'all tried Netflix? Will I love it? I do like the thought of being able to watch Monk whenever I'm in the mood. And I'd certainly enjoy seeing Pushing Daisies and Beakman's World again. It's the little black box and the intimidation factor that cause pause. So, who wants to come over and set it all up while I go to Applebee's? 8-}

Tallahassee Italian Family Festa - 55% Discount!!!

2011-01-25T01:17:00.003-05:00

I know some of my local readers will be taking in the Festa, so thought I'd save y'all a few lira.

$9 for Two Adult Weekend Passes to the Tallahassee Italian Family Festa February 19 and 20 ($20 Value). Children 12 and under get in free. As always, be sure to read the fine print; it's brief. 8-]

Florida Factoid Friday

2011-01-21T01:51:00.003-05:00

In the Fakahatchee Strand, near Copeland, grows the largest concentration and variety of orchids in North America. With 44 native orchids and 14 native bromeliad species, it is the orchid and bromeliad capital of the continent. The ecosystem of the Fakahatchee Strand is the only place in the world where bald cypress trees and royal palms share the forest canopy.

HALF off Amazon Gift Card!!!

2011-01-19T14:39:00.001-05:00

This was WAY too good to not share!

This is a blue moon deal, for sure! For $10, at LivingSocial, you can get a $20 Amazon Gift Card! You know this one will go fast! Limit one!
Oh, and they gave me $5 (Deal Bucks) to use on my next purchase! 8-]

Disclosure: If 3 people snag the deal using my link, my deal is free!

Winter of our discontent

2011-01-17T15:32:00.003-05:00

This has been one bodacious winter, particularly for someone with multi-generationally thinned blood who tends to hibernate whenever temps get below 50. Here's hoping the worst is over and I can crawl out of my cave and bask in the sunshine again. Not that there's any sunshine in which to bask today.

Not much new going on in our little patch of forest. I don't make resolutions, but I have determined to get on with commencin' to start to get ready to prepare for thinkin' about maybe adding a little more active activities to my days. My brand new, as yet 'unrid' bicycle is gleaming at me, longing for a non-frigid, non-rainy, non-peekid day to hit the pavement. Soon, Bikey, soon. The mini-tramp has been seeing more of me, as have the light weights. I still can't get to the treadmill, but the path is beginning to open up.
We have been noticing an occasional ammonia-like odour in the bedroom. I finally MADE Duller drag out the big turns-the-dark-to-daylight flashlight and peer under the house last night. As I suspected, a cat has made his/herownself at home under there. Not EVEN wanting a repeat of last year's kitten escapade, we are taking measures to make its new home as unattractive as possible. Aluminum foil on the back step really did keep them off a few months back, so we might start out with a giant tin foil hat. 8-} My first thought, of course, is to call Dobie for a Day. Sorry, cat lovers, but I like them less and less every time some dropped off unwanted pet drags cat fleas into our yard. (And I thought I couldn't possibly like them less).

Today's outstanding Groupons:
*Orlando:Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
*Gainesville/Ocala/Pt. Charlotte/Naples: Earth Origins Market
*Dunnellon: Dunnellon's Florist

*Lakeland: Cookie Jar Bakeshop

*Jacksonville: Matthew's Restaurant

*Montgomery, AL: Smoothies-N-Things Cafe and 'Faust' at Opera Birmingham

Florida Factoid Friday

2011-01-07T11:59:00.000-05:00

The world's largest climate simulator, McKinley Climatic Laboratory, is at Eglin Air Force Base in Valparaiso. The facility, which can create a variety of climates, has been the government's primary indoor weather testing center since opening in 1947.

Florida Factoid Friday - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2010-12-24T14:17:00.004-05:00

25 December 1539* - The first Christmas service in the present-day United States is believed to be a Catholic Mass offered by priests of Hernando de Soto's expedition exploring in the vicinity of Tallahassee.

'Discovery of 16th century Spanish artifacts solved the hotly debated historical issue of where our first Christmas was celebrated,' said Dr. Jerald T. Milanich, curator in archaeology at the Florida Museum of Natural History. 'Florida's capital city -- Tallahassee -- is without a doubt the place of humble prestige.'

Tangible evidence recently unearthed -- the oldest copper coins in the United States, remnants of Spanish armor and a crossbow tip -- has led to the official identification of an area less than a mile from Florida's Capitol complex as site of the first Christmas.

*Some think it was more likely 4 January.

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-12-17T02:15:00.003-05:00

The world's largest bowling pin, 30 feet high, stands in front of Splitsville, an upscale bowling alley/restaurant in Tampa.

Gainesville Groupon - $5 gets you $10

2010-12-14T13:32:00.006-05:00

I promise this blog is not turning into a deals promo! But after several days of not-for-me offers, today's deal is right up my alley. Next time I'm in Gator territory, this'll be a nice change from drive-thru burgers! That's another thing I love about Groupon. The deals don't expire quickly. This one is good till 15 June 2011! Some are good for a year!

The link should take you to a drop-down menu where you can choose your city. You have until midnight tonight to snag this deal.

OH, and if you happen to be closer to the Tampa Bay Area, you can get $20 Worth of Barbecue Fare and Drinks at Luckie B's Bar-B-Que for $10! Naples neighbours get 30 days at Fat2Fit Boot camp, a $287 value, for $40! Jacksonville... $9 for a 90-minute Okefenokee Swamp tour! In Fort Lauderdale, you can pig out at Skyline Chili for 1/2 price! Not in Flarda? Look for your city in the drop-down menu.

Disclaimer: Yes, I get a little bonus for each person who uses my link to sign up. 8-}

Get the real deal! (shameless plug) 8-}

2010-12-12T14:13:00.001-05:00

Have y'all checked out Groupon yet? It's my favourite 'deal' site ever! All the others I've seen offer discounts on ski jackets or designer bags or spa days... I reckon those are nice enough for people who will actually use them. But I just can't see forking over what would buy a month's groceries for a purse with somebody else's name on it.

Groupon, on the other hand, comes up with what I consider relevant offers. So far, I've treated Duller to a couple of really nice lunches within reasonable distance from his office. We even got a half-price deal for our favourite local healthy-eats coop! Boy, did I ever get excited over that one! AND we have tickets to the museum. Not your ordinary be-quiet-walk-through-look-at-the-walls kinda museum. This one is all outdoorsy, with a natural habitat zoo and historical buildings. I've always loved this place, but hardly ever get to visit. Now we're all going for half price!

I'll never forget our first visit. There were chickens and such wandering around and we happened upon two roosters in the midst of a little spat. A guinea hen was running around them, trying her best to get them to talk it out like reasonable adults. Finally, she just jumped in between them and broke it up. That was over 20 years ago and we still laugh about it. And I still lament my lack of a video camera! 8-}

Anyhow, why not see what they have in your area? Haven't you always wanted to jump out of a plane? How about for less than half price? Yes, Groupon has a few of those not-for-everybody deals, as well. But check back tomorrow and they're likely to have just what you've been looking for.

Thanks, y'all!!!

2010-11-18T09:53:00.003-05:00

Thank y'all SOOOOOOOO MUCH for your prayers and well-wishes! I meant to comment back, but it rained Monday night... a LOT... all night! Which, of course, meant we had no internet service all day Tuesday. Which meant I spent what little puter time I had yesterday catching up from Tuesday. Anyhow, it means so very much to me to have y'all check up on me and pray for me and..... well, in the immortal words of Eeyore, 'Thaaaaannnnnks fer noticin' me'. 8-]

Love y'all loads!
Have a JESUS-filled day! ^i^

I'm still alive

2010-11-14T11:19:00.003-05:00

Good gravy! Hard to believe it's been exactly TWO MONTHS since I posted here. It's been a weird, weird season in my life. Seems like one thing after another has been hitting me and I just got tired. Mostly little niggling minor health problems - odd things that nobody warns you will happen to your body as it ~~ages~~ matures. But GOD has carried me through them all and I am persuaded HE is going to do the same with the latest. This one has hit me hardest, as it concerns my eyes, but I am seeing (HAHA!) gradual improvement and holding on to HIS promises. In this instant gratification world, waiting can seem intolerable, but I reckon it's a good thing to be slowed down now and then. Anyhow, I am still alive and praying things will soonly be back to some semblance of normalcy. And that I can mentally adjust to these physical changes. Most are really minor things, but when they all start happening at once, it can be a bit disconcerting, knowwhutImeanVern? Aaaannnnyyyhooooo, please pray for me if I cross your mind. It's tough times in many ways. But, ya know what, it's actually getting easier to praise GOD through the circumstances. Comes from getting lots of practice, eh? 8-]

Love y'all loads! Here's hoping Thanksgiving will truly be a day to give thanks for complete healing and deliverance. Meanwhile, I'd love to share with y'all one of my favourite (and so appropriate) songs ever. Get up and dance!

This one's for FC :)

2010-09-14T14:09:00.004-04:00

Might need to click for a larger view.

PS: FC, have you seen these?!
Liquid Image Explorer Series 5.0MP Underwater Digital Camera Mask

Have You Forgotten?

2010-09-11T12:51:00.000-04:00

Another year older and deeper in debt

2010-08-29T14:37:00.002-04:00

Great, now THAT's gonna be stuck in my head all day. LOL! Oh, well, I could think of worse things than Ernie's voice to be bouncing around in the attic.

Wanna know how I'm celebrating today? Doing exactly the same things I do every day! Best laid plans and all... ah well, tomorrow's anotha day. And ain't God good for giving us another day?!

Hope y'all all had a JESUS-filled weekend!

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-08-20T02:28:00.004-04:00

Opened in 1967, Lion Country Safari - in Loxahatchee - was America’s first drive-through cageless zoo.

Today, Lion Country Safari is home to over 900 animals in the drive-through preserve and in the Safari World exhibit area. Among the more notable species on display at the park are lions, white rhino, chimpanzees, zebra, and giraffe.

Did you see this?!

2010-08-14T18:27:00.003-04:00

I don't watch America's Got Talent, so I'm late seeing this amazing performance. My jaw was on the floor the whole time and I ended up in tears.

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-08-13T09:05:00.003-04:00

Baseball player Jay Stuart Bell, born in 1965 at Eglin Air Force Base in Valparaiso, hit a home run the first time he stepped up to the bat in the major leagues in 1986 with the Cleveland Indians. Jay, who received a Gold Glove and a Silver Slugger Award in 1993, ranks #46 among the Top 50 all-time at SS. He later played for, then coached, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Losing a lovely lady

2010-08-09T14:46:00.001-04:00

Duller just called to tell me we lost a dear friend. Barbara was a no-nonsense lady, but sweet as she could be. For the past few days, she has been on my mind. Now I know why. I wish we had known she was ill. Apparently, she went to the hospital on Wednesday and passed away on Friday. I hope some of y'all will have a minute to click for the rest of the (very short) article. She was a fascinating woman and a true Lady. We are so going to miss her.

Former Shores Mayor Heller dies
By ANDREW GANT, Staff writer
August 8, 2010 12:05 AM

Barbara J. Heller, a retired college professor who rubbed elbows with the Eisenhowers and worked with dozens of volunteer organizations, has died, a close friend said Saturday.

Heller, who served on the City Council for years before she became mayor, died Friday morning at the age of 86. She fell ill a short time before her death, according to her friend and attorney, Mary Hansen.

"She was absolutely the most ethical person I ever met," Hansen said of the former mayor. "I found her to be a role model for me."

Heller lost her first bid for political office when she ran for Volusia County Council in 1980 but became a Shores councilwoman in 1987.

For years she volunteered in the area as she served on the council, and she had a sign in her front yard (it read "Heller High Water"), promising to solve residents' problems even if hell or high water broke loose.

Heller took the oath as the city's 17th mayor (and its second female mayor) in 1996, at the age of 71.

to read the rest of the story, click here

Feelin' like a Rambler...

2010-08-04T18:49:00.006-04:00

Dawg, this summer's going FAST! Which is a good thing, kinda, coz it's so unbearably HOT, but then Autumn's gonna fly by, then it'll be winter again and I hate cold even more than hot.

So, today is our 31st anniversary and in around 3½ weeks I'll be turning yet another year older. I'm thinking I need one of those hats that says, 'don't forget my senior discount'. Hey, don't laugh, y'all are gonna be here one day. For my birthday this year, I think I'll get a bicycle. I've had my eye on a cute little cruiser - I just wanna go one speed, thanks. So how come nobody has layaway anymore?!

Ramble, ramble, ramble...

If I read one more steenkin' comment on youtube about something being racist, my head's gonna explode! It is, apparently, THE catchword of the century. Every time a WASP does a rap, he's stereotyping somebody. (Ever hear the phrase, 'imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?). I watched a little clip of Chief Thunderthud - if you know who that is, you need a hat, too - and saw 2 comments (before I blew a gasket and closed the page) about how racist it was. Honestly, some people need to GET A LIFE! I truly believe they spend virtually every waking moment searching for something, anything, at which to scream 'RACIST'.

GIVE! ME! A! BREAK!

Ramble, ramble, ramble...

I'm also thinking of a career change. What, you didn't know I had a career? Well, I call it that, anyhow, though no one has yet been able to figure out an exact job description. 8-} Anyhow, I think I'm gonna start writing rap songs. Or is it hip hop? I'm not quite sure which is which, but I'm having fun playing around with whatever it is. Maybe I'll be as famous as GoRemy one day and y'all can say you knew me when...

OK, I'm gonna park this little Rambler wagon and go eat my anniversary hot dog. Love y'all!

Have a JESUS-filled day! ^i^

New FPS Director

2010-08-02T23:55:00.002-04:00

Donald Forgione is the new Director of the Florida Park Service. Forgione is the first director to have worked his way up from a park ranger.

A 26-year veteran of the Florida Park Service, Forgione began his career as a park ranger at Paynes Creek Historic Site in Bowling Green, Florida, in 1984. He has since worked his way up in the Florida Park Service throughout the state. He has served as assistant park manager, park manager, park law enforcement officer, as well as assistant bureau chief and bureau chief. For the last six years as District Two Bureau Chief, Forgione has provided overall management and administration of bureau operations for a 40 park network and more than 200 employees.

Forgione was raised in Palm Beach Gardens and has lived in the Sunshine State since age six. He has received certification in environmental conservation and law enforcement, as well as in park maintenance management from North Carolina State University and is a state certified burn manager. Forgione has served as an instructor at multiple Ranger Academies in the areas of core values, land management, visitor services and facility maintenance.

Clip and pic from August newsletter.

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-07-30T11:53:00.002-04:00

In the 1960s, the National Association of Letter Carriers created the retirement community of Nalcrest (think about it) with affordable housing for its members. The Polk County community is home to more than 500 retired letter carriers.

Monday Morning Mealtime

2010-07-25T04:53:00.009-04:00

OOPS! I forgot to post-date. Just pretend you didn't see this and come back tomorrow, lol!

Chillun's, it's been over 100° here for days and days and days. The humiture has been as high as 160°. Needless to say, I'm not getting out a whole lot. Fortunately, the wildlife is coming to me. This lovely spider spun her web just outside the stair rail. A few days later, she was gone. I found her right outside my front door, chowing down on a cicada. When I got back from a few local errands, it was gone! I looked aroound to see if she had stashed it somewhere, but found nothing. I can't believe [she] ate the whole thing!

Then again, we made pretty fast work of the blueberry cobblers I made a couple weeks ago. I wish I'd thought to shoot the whole process. It was so amazingly easy, I can't think why I don't do it more often. I experimented with this one... added a few banana slices in one corner, just to see how it would taste. Duller has pronounced it repeatable. The other one also had free-from-Publix raspberries. Now that I've revisited this, I'm gonna have to go find some fresh Joja peaches and maybe try a stovetop cobbler. No way am I turning on the oven! Hmmm, I'm thinking a little make-shift solar oven might be just the ticket. Anybody tried that?

Happy Monday, y'all! Have a JESUS-filled week!

PS - I give up trying to format this thing. It looked just right in the preview. Definitely not WYSIWYG.

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-07-23T13:24:00.000-04:00

For several years, an unfinished replica of the Scooby Doo van has been sitting in front of a North Miami Beach restaurant. Ham and Eggery's reviews are mixed, so I reckon it's all a matter of taste. 8-]

Who said that?

2010-07-20T17:02:00.001-04:00

All societies of men must be governed in some way or other. The less they may have of stringent State Government, the more they must have of individual self-government. The less they rely on public law or physical force, the more they must rely on private moral restraint. Men, in a word, must necessarily be controlled, either by a power within them, or by a power without them; either by the Word of God, or by the strong arm of man; either by the Bible, or by the bayonet.

Anybody know the quotee?

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-07-16T02:16:00.003-04:00

In June of 1942, four German saboteurs landed on Ponte Vedra Beach. They brought ashore enough explosives, primers, and incendiaries to carry out their 2-year plan. All four, along with another group in NY, were quickly apprehended and the Germans never made another such attempt. The FBI was able to track them down so quickly because a member of the NY team convinced his partner to give up the plan and defect. Did he get cold feet or had he planned the double-cross from the start?

Monday Morning Mystery Moratorium

2010-07-05T11:48:00.000-04:00

I've been doing this for over 2 years - can you believe it?! - and am running out of inspiration. Not that there aren't plenty of things to shoot, but how many different bird body parts can one post? Anyhow, I've made the difficult decision to at least take a break for a few weeks and see what develops. Mega-thanks to all y'all who popped in every week and commented or e-mailed me guesses and other encouraging remarks! I don't know if I'm just burned out or have exhausted my creative limits. So, I'm going to venture back out into the real world. Maybe scenes like this will refuel my tank. Love y'all loads!

Have a JESUS-filled day!

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-07-02T05:13:00.000-04:00

Kudzu was first promoted in America in the 1920s by Charles and Lillie Pleas of Chipley, FL. The Pleases touted it as an anti-erosion, high-protein forage plant. The Asian vine, a gift from Japan, grows a foot per day during the summer.

Mystery revealed

2010-07-01T23:02:00.001-04:00

This week's brownie button is still up for grabs.

Anybody recognize him?

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-06-28T08:07:00.002-04:00

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-06-25T11:38:00.005-04:00

On 16 August 1960, 32-year-old U.S. Air Force Capt. Joe Kittinger set a world record for the highest parachute jump when he jumped from an altitude of 102,800 feet. He fell for 4 minutes and 36 seconds, reaching a speed of Mach 0.9, before opening his parachute. Kittinger was born in Tampa.

Learn more about Project Excelsior.

Mystery Solved

2010-06-24T23:37:00.001-04:00

KellyRae got it. Generally speaking, I'm not a huge fan of roses - don't like the scent - but this is one of my favourites in our garden this year.

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-06-21T05:11:00.000-04:00

Take Dad to the Park

2010-06-19T11:17:00.002-04:00

Father’s Day is a treat at Florida’s state parks. Bring your father to any Florida state park* on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 20 and receive entry for 75 percent off in honor of the 75th Anniversary of Florida’s state parks. For example, if the entry fee is $8.00 for a vehicle up to eight people, the cost would be $2.00 if a child brings his or her father.

*Excludes Skyway Fishing Pier State Park.

Mystery Solved

2010-06-18T17:36:00.002-04:00

KellyRae discovered the answer on my other blog. This was our first potato crop. I boiled and kinda chunked them and threw in a stick of butter. They were delightfully delicious! I did think about taking a cooked picture, but if I'd gone for the camera, I might not have gotten any. 8-}

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-06-14T17:52:00.002-04:00

Better late... our DSL has been off and on all day. The joys of living in the boonies. 8-\

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-06-11T11:55:00.001-04:00

Jacqueline Cochran was the first woman to break the sound barrier, the first woman to fly a bomber across the Atlantic and the first female pilot to fly a jet across an ocean. Jackie set more speed records than any other pilot, male or female, of her time. She won 15 Harmon Trophies for her exceptional skills as a woman pilot. She made notable contributions to the formation of the wartime Women's Auxiliary Army Camps and the Women Air force Service Pilots. Jackie was born in Muscogee, FL.

Google this gal and find out more about her amazing accomplishments!
Each entry I read mentioned another first.

Mystery Solved

2010-06-10T16:51:00.002-04:00

WTG, KellyRae! I just love these little guys! Their loud buzzing keeps me company whenever I trek down to the mailbox. This one was enjoying the lantana so much, he barely noticed the giant hovering and clicking all around him.

click to enlarge

Is this picture too dark for y'all? I still haven't quite gotten just the right angle on my laptop screen.

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-06-07T04:42:00.003-04:00

*edit*
HINT: two in one. 8-}

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-06-04T04:42:00.003-04:00

Wallace and Margarita Reyes supervised the rolling of the world’s longest cigar — 196.3 feet—at the Cigar Heritage Festival in Tampa last November.

Mystery solved

2010-06-03T16:08:00.002-04:00

Y'all were right... can't elope with a muskmelon! 8-}

This was sooooo delicious! Wish the pic did it justice.

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-05-31T04:07:00.000-04:00

Mystery Solved

2010-05-28T21:45:00.000-04:00

Yup, it's a mayfly. Like the Luna moths, we've had a bumper crop of these critters this year, a pretty good indication the crick is clean. 8-]

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-05-24T11:43:00.003-04:00

EDIT:
OK, here's a hint. Remember the old song... While strolling through the park one day, in the merry merry.....

Mystery Solved

2010-05-20T22:49:00.002-04:00

KellyRae is right. Click on the pic to get a better look at this handsome pest. Anybody know the specific variety? Me, either. 8-]

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-05-17T11:44:00.001-04:00

Still trying to get someone to fix my puter for less than $130. I'm beginning to think a new machine is a right good idea. Convincing Duller is another story. 8-}

Stuck in the middle ages

2010-05-10T11:24:00.001-04:00

It's amazing how quickly a human can adapt. I've been borrowing computer time for a couple weeks and it just seems so normal. Honestly, I don't miss it as much as I expected. I do miss y'all, really, but not the overall computer usage. Maybe God's trying to tell me it's time to replace Monday Morning Mystery. Or maybe I just needed a break.

The other day, I went cemetery hopping in Suwannee County. I found a few family members' sites at one, nothing at the next. When I got home, I discovered it was the wrong cemetery. I had driven past the road to the right one. So now I have a really good excuse to go back soonly. 8-}

It's been really great to get back into digging my roots. I've gotten back to early 1700s in the US and early 1500s in England. And I've learned that my g-g-g-g-g-g grandfather's nephew (sister's son) was Thomas McKean. Now there's a little mystery for y'all. Anybody know who he was?

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-04-30T13:23:00.006-04:00

Ed Frank of Naples, using parts from a Model-T Ford and a World War I airplane, built the first swamp buggy about 1919 to navigate the Everglades.

L-R: Paul Frank, Henry Espenlaub, Ed Frank, Roy Smith
photo credit and more

Mystery Solved

2010-04-30T01:15:00.000-04:00

KellyRae got it. It was a feral peacock I shot in Pinellas County. There was a small flock roaming the woods near one of the Anclote River parks.

Thanks for all the well-wishes for my computer, Hoping to get it back soonly.

Borrowing bytes. 8-\

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-04-26T11:24:00.000-04:00

My computer is still infected, so I borrowed DS's, which still has some very old pictures in the attic. This was from April of 2005. I have been reminded how different things can look on different monitors. Hope this isn't too dark for y'all.

Mystery Solved

2010-04-21T00:34:00.002-04:00

FC, once again, was right on. These little guys like to build in the middle of our driveway. We pretty much leave them alone, as they're about half a city block from the house.

I've spent the past 2 days trying to get rid of a trojan. So much for my provider's super-duper, don't use any other protection after downloading ours security. It let 6 trojans and a trojan downloader through sometime in the last few days. Malwarebytes killed all but the one evil varmint that keeps regenerating itseslf. *sigh* I've tried 3 recommended solutions and still it persists. Looks like I'll be without a computer for a few days once I scrounge the cash to take it to a professional hitman. Maybe DS will let me borrow his for a bit each day. Time is money in the coupon game and I've already lost too much this week.

See ya when I see ya.

Have a JESUS-filled week!

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-04-19T11:47:00.000-04:00

Better late... been having computer issues. It's always sumthin'. 8-}

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-04-16T02:34:00.004-04:00

At the time of her death in January, 2010, Dorothy Geeben was the oldest mayor in the US. She presided over the city of Ocean Breeze Park for the last 9 years of her life. She was approaching her 102nd birthday.

Mystery solved

2010-04-14T03:43:00.003-04:00

Y'all were on the right track. KellyRae nailed it. It was a Luna Moth. I wish I could've gotten better pics. He was hanging on our pollen-covered sliding glass door the other night. I snapped a couple zoomed shots, then kneeled for a close-up. Reckon he was phobically camera-shy, coz just as I aimed, he swooned and dropped to the ground. I wasn't too keen on crawling under the back steps in the wee hours, so this is as good as it gets. I don't know if it was the extra-long, extra-cold winter or last months monsoon, but we seem to have an abundance of lunae this year. This was the third in 2 weeks.

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-04-12T03:36:00.003-04:00

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-04-09T04:31:00.002-04:00

Fort Jefferson at Dry Tortugas National Park, on the Dry Tortugas islands west of Key West, is the largest brick fort in the Western Hemisphere. (It was built with more than 16 million bricks!) The fort’s walls are 8 feet thick and about 45 feet high.

Mystery solved

2010-04-05T22:11:00.003-04:00

Suze was first to correctly guess that it was, indeed, a hummingbird beak. Two, actually. These two beauties were making use of the blooming wisteria vine just outside my kitchen window.

These two beauties were making use of the blooming wisteria vine just outside my kitchen window.

You wouldn't believe how wonderful those wisteria flowers smell! It's so nice to be able to open the windows again and let the sweet aroma flow through the house. Spring is far too quickly, though, edging into summer. Temperatures here hit 90 yesterday. Already! I do hope we have at least another month of windows that are open 24 hours.

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-04-05T03:28:00.000-04:00

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-04-02T03:28:00.002-04:00

New Smyrna Beach, in Volusia County, was founded in the late 1700s by Andrew Turnbull. The Scottish doctor named the community in honor of Smyrna, Greece, his wife's home.

Rant - re shooting at Publix

2010-04-01T17:00:00.004-04:00

I blame Big Brother. After all, he's the one who has taught us that we're all not only created equal, but we should all forever remain equal. And that we should never ever say or do anything that might offend any other equal. And that anything that doesn't completely agree with everything another equal thinks/feels/believes is offensive.

It might appear a cut and dried case of pre-meditated murder when equal A threatens to kill equal B... then equal A goes home, gets a gun, comes back and shoots and kills equal B. But NO! As equal A's mother-in-law now informs us, equal A is a good person and there is 'more to the story'. It has been alleged that equal A was 'bullied and teased' by her equal co-workers. (I, for one, am curious to know how equal A defines bullying and teasing. They asked her to do her job, perhaps?) Equal B reminded equal A that working off the clock is a no-no at Publix and suggested she stop doing same. Equal A, apparently, ignored equal B's advice. Equal B later reported equal A for said violation. Equal A was offended by this and threatened to kill equal B. Equal A was fired for said threat. Poor, poor, misunderstood equal A. Can we really blame her for taking the time to go home and get her gun? Should we really believe that, given the time it took her to go home, get a gun and come back, she should have had time to cool down? And that having had this cooling off period, then walking up to the man and shooting him anyhow, she is actually guilty of first degree/premeditated murder?

Honestly, if I went postal every time somebody disagreed with me or hurt my feelings, the gene pool would be a lot cleaner by now. I don't care how good a person she was, or how mean she thought her co-workers were, you don't go around shooting people. It boggles my mind that anyone would actually try to defend her.

On another note: grief counseling. Don't even get me started!

Monday Morning Mystery... derailed

2010-03-29T14:26:00.002-04:00

Blogger won't let me upload an image... it says it loaded, but there's nothing there. SORRY! Please check back next week.

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-03-26T10:50:00.003-04:00

America's first man-made land bridge, opened in 2000, connects trails on the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway across six lanes of Interstate 75 near Ocala. The bridge is 52 feet wide, 200 feet long, and landscaped with trees and other natural vegetation.

Mystery Solved

2010-03-23T23:16:00.002-04:00

Well, I'll be gartered! Suze kinda guessed it! It is, as FC astutely observed, a Glass Lizard. Ain't he a beauty?! He silently slithered away when I turned to adjust my camera's settings. Sure wish the pics did him justice.

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-03-22T00:42:00.002-04:00

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-03-19T02:35:00.004-04:00

Donald Roebling, grandson of the designer and builder of the Brooklyn Bridge, developed the 'Alligator' in Clearwater. Originally intended for rescue of hurricane victims, the amphibious vehicle caught the attention of the US Marine Corps and was modified - and renamed LVT (Landing Vehicle, Tracked) - as ship-to-shore transport during WWII. Actual construction was subcontracted to a plant in Dunedin.

Mystery Solved

2010-03-16T17:03:00.002-04:00

Well, I thought this one might be more of a challenge, but FC cwacked it quickly. 8-} I'm so thrilled to see the bees hovering over the hog plum blossoms! No more sub-freezing nights! YAY!

As always, click the pic for a larger view.

It's not just the hog plums. All over town, the dogwoods and redbuds are rejoicing in spring's arrival. At first, I thought they were blooming early, but then I realized... it's MARCH! It's just that it usually warms up a lot sooner. That and the ridiculous time change have really messed up my inner clock/calendar this year. Before we know it, wisteia will be winding its wistful way 'wound the winged elm and wax myrtle. 8-}

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-03-15T04:13:00.000-04:00

You're invited!

2010-03-13T23:28:00.000-05:00

Click on the poster to join the party.
No RSVP required.

Commercial of the Year

2010-03-13T17:59:00.003-05:00

I hate commercials. They're so dumbed down and, more often than not, downright puerile. But about once in a blue moon (comparative) greatness arises out of the ashes. I just LOVE this Bounty spot! Yo!

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-03-12T04:41:00.002-05:00

The longest river sailboat race in the world is the Annual Mug Race. The event runs 42 miles from Palatka to Jacksonville along the St. Johns River.

Mystery Solved

2010-03-10T20:10:00.002-05:00

Suze correctly guessed it was a flower and KellyRae narrowed it down. We have to be really careful walking around the back 40, coz the prickly pears are sneaky. And if Duller happens to mow over one, the pieces produce more. I have yet to try a tuna salad, but I hear they're mighty tasty. Just make sure you get rid of ALL the 'bones'. 8-}

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-03-08T10:33:00.000-05:00

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-03-05T05:40:00.002-05:00

In the 1800s, dense oak trees were so valued for shipbuilding that President John Quincy Adams put them under federal protection at Naval Live Oaks Reserve near Gulf Breeze.

Bonus fact:
One of the South’s largest stands of live oak is preserved at the 3,230-acre Bulow Creek State Park near Ormond Beach.

Mystery Solved

2010-03-04T23:07:00.000-05:00

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-03-01T11:09:00.001-05:00

Late again, sorry! I spent the entire weekend staring at the bathroom walls and barely knew what day it was. Out of the bathroom now, but still bleary. 8-}

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-02-26T05:00:00.003-05:00

The dining room walls of Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant are covered in dollar bills—more than $10,000 worth—held in place with masking tape. Each bill is signed by the tourist who put it there.

Giveaway next door

2010-02-24T14:57:00.002-05:00

Just click on the Shabach the Rock tab up and to your right. Or click here.
You can get up to 5 chances to win The Pioneer Woman Cooks.
The book, not the cook. 8-]

Mystery Solved

2010-02-23T00:12:00.002-05:00

Gee, I thought I actually had a chance of stumping y'all this week. Everybody got it right. Kinda reminds me of a navel orange, which makes me crave citrus. 8-]

Check my other blog later this week for a great giveaway.

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-02-22T03:23:00.000-05:00

Florida Cracker Horses

2010-02-20T04:37:00.000-05:00

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-02-19T09:27:00.003-05:00

Duval Street in Key West

stretches from the Atlantic Ocean
to the Gulf of Mexico.

Mystery Solved

2010-02-16T17:42:00.000-05:00

Gosh, y'all are getting way too clever in this game. Kathy, you were close. Suze guessed it's a 'Butter-butt', our nickname for the Yellow-rumped Warbler. This is probably the best shot I've ever had at one. They don't sit still for long and they're usually hiding amongst the tree leaves.

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-02-15T03:34:00.003-05:00

Pardon the grain.
It was a long shot.

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-02-12T11:51:00.001-05:00

In the Apalachicola National Forest, some people make their living rubbing a flat iron on a stick. True, worm grunting is a time-honoured profession in these parts. And on the second Saturday of April, the little town of Sopchoppy hosts its annual Worm Gruntin' Festival. For more fascinating details, check out this newspaper story. (Scroll down, it's there.)

Mystery Solved

2010-02-09T04:05:00.005-05:00

Great guesses, y'all! Nobody was stumped as to its avianicious nature. KellyRae correctly narrowed it down to Sandhill Crane. These were just outside Barberville in Volusia County... just east of Ocala National Forest. Look up to see some of their craney cronies. You'll notice, while a pair is grazing, one is always keeping lookout.

FYI: A group of cranes is called a herd, siege or sedge.

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-02-08T10:25:00.000-05:00

Florida Factoid Friday

2010-02-05T02:55:00.002-05:00

91-year-old Rachel Veitch of Orlando,
bought her 1964 Mercury Comet Caliente new.
With over 550,000 miles on the odometer,
she's still driving it today.

Mystery Solved

2010-02-03T02:53:00.003-05:00

Suze got it again. It's a ___ moth. Yes, I knew the specifics at one time, but it's been a while and things are still crazy around here and.... I'll try to find it again. Meanwhile, feel free to comment the answer and save my brain. 8-}

Monday Morning Mystery

2010-02-01T09:09:00.000-05:00