Floridaze

For those who read my blog from time to time, it's apparent that I've been absent for quite some time. I have lots of excuses, including computer and server problems, ice storms, thunderstorms, raging floods and just plain procrastination. Yes, all those things really happened.


I live on the Gulf Coast of the Florida Panhandle and this year we've faced more storms than in years past. A few months back an ice storm brought my part of Florida to a standstill for several days. Roads and bridges were shut down and only those with 4-wheel-drive managed to get from one end of town to another without slip-sliding all over the place. My two dogs, Shani and Dude, thoroughly enjoyed playing in the ice topped with a tiny bit of snow.


Florida normally gets thunderstorms year around, but this year we've had some really wild ones that lasted for hours and hours. Dude is afraid of thunder, so he had a lot of bad, sleepless nights. I don't much care for thunderstorms, but if I'm really exhausted I can manage to sleep through a storm now and then.


A couple weeks ago we were hit with 'The Mother of All Storms' which dropped between 17 and 30 inches of rain here on the Florida Panhandle and the Gulf Coast of Alabama. Thousands of homes were flooded, including over 350 homes near where I live. No, my house didn't flood, but houses less than a block away did flood under several feet of water. According to the latest reports, approximately 30 inches of rain fell in my neighborhood in less than 10 hours. It's being reported as a "500 Year Flood." I hope that means there won't be another deluge of this magnitude here during my lifetime. But then, you never know.


To sum things up, I'm "The Queen of Procrastination." I needed a break from writing and blogging. Though I never intended to take this long of a break. But now I'm ready to jump back in and write, write and write. Oh yeah, unless I decide to procrastinate some more.


For the record, I've been reading lots of books over the last few months. So in my next post I'll list some of those books I read and loved.

Just Another Day At The Zoo

Just another day at the zoo for this chimpanzee.

Another day at the Gulf Breeze Zoo. This time it was for "Boo at the Zoo" and all the little kids, including my grandkids, were in Halloween costumes and trick-or-treating at the zoo.

What a gorgeous face.

If you happen to be in northwest Florida, be sure to check out our great little zoo.

Gulf Breeze Zoo

Boo at the Zoo

What a beautiful color.

The zoo critters had different reactions to the costumed kids. Some were fascinated and others, like one of the chimpanzees, wasn't the least bit impressed with the day's visitors.

The male tiger watching the costumed kids.

The male tiger seemed particularly interested in the kids. His expression was "I bet they taste like chicken."

One of the many roosters wandering around the zoo.

After three and a half hours at the zoo I'm exhausted. So this is just a very short post with an assortment of photos I couldn't resist posting.



The giraffes are always eager for a handout.

I have a year long pass for the zoo and am a frequent visitor, which means I take lots of zoo photos. So please stop back from time to time to see my latest photos.

The elephant wishing well at the zoo.

Wishing y'all a wonderful week.

The Beach Houses on Pensacola Beach

Pastel colored beach houses on Pensacola Beach.

I happen to love the beach houses on Pensacola Beach. I love the pastel colors, all those balconies, lots of windows, and the awesome views of the sugar-sand beach with it's turquoise-emerald waters.

I love this one, it's one of my favorites.

I always enjoy driving by the beach houses, which, it seems, are much too big to be called beach cottages. I'm always thinking, if I could just win the lottery I'd buy one. But then I rarely play the lottery, so how could I possibly win?

Then I start calculating how many of my books I'd need to sell in order to buy one of those beach houses. And then I realize that it would take me about two hundred years or more to make enough money to buy one. But then I dream about owning my very own beach house anyway, because, you know, a girl has to dream.

I love this one too.

I live only a couple miles inland from Pensacola Beach, just the other side of the beach bridge. So I'm not all that far away. My house is minuscule in comparison and doesn't have a beach or water view. Ah, well. At least I live close enough to visit the beach whenever I want. So I can drive by those beach houses and pick out my favorite, which changes from time to time.

And I love this one.

At least for now, the brighter pink one is my favorite. I thought it was so cool when I took these latest photos and realized that the pink house had this unique cloud just overhead. The cloud looked like an arrow and pointed directly at MY pink house.

And I love this one.

No, I don't know who owns any of these houses. Some belong to year-around residents, others are vacation homes and some are beach rentals. All the ones in these photos are located right across the street from the beach.

Gee, and I love this one too.

Now if someone wanted to give me one of  those houses, well, I'd take any one of them. But for now, the brighter pink one, as opposed to the pale pink one, is my very favorite. Then again, tomorrow I may have a different favorite one.

My favorite pretty pink beach house.

I've always wanted to live in a pretty pink house. Don't ask my why. I mean, I've dreamed about a pink house since I was a little kid. So, who knows, maybe someday I'll have one of my very own?

So, which of these beach houses is your favorite?

On Pensacola Beach - Waiting for Hurricane(?) Karen with Jim Cantore

Me and TWC's Jim Cantore at Pensacola Beach.

Now I have been a fan of The Weather Channel's meteorologist, Jim Cantore, for many years. Jim is pretty much a fixture when it comes to tropical storms and hurricanes. He has an uncanny sense of where those dreaded hurricanes are going to make landfall. Some even dare to say that Jim Cantore is a magnet for hurricanes.

This morning at Pensacola Beach. Waiting for Karen.

Well, when I turned on The Weather Channel this morning, there was Jim Cantore reporting from Pensacola Beach. So how could I resist? I live just over the bridge from the beach, so I had to drive over there to meet Jim and to take some beach photos.

This morning at the east side of the Pensacola Beach pier.

I have to say that Jim was very gracious and even had one of his camera crew take a couple photos of us with my camera. (If you're reading this post Jim, thank you so very much.)




Storm clouds above the Pensacola Beach pier.

I handed Jim my card and told him that I'm a local author, I have a blog and I follow him on Twitter. Well, my card has the cover of my book, Outback Love. So Jim said, "Outback Love?" And I mentioned that I'm a romance writer. Jim responded with, "I could use some romance in my life." Couldn't we all?

Surfers this morning on Pensacola Beach.

I told Jim that it was great getting to meet him, but that if he was at Pensacola Beach it meant that Karen is probably heading our way. So meeting Jim Cantore is sort of a good and bad thing. Nice to meet him, but we really don't want a hurricane coming our way.

Awesome storm clouds over Pensacola Beach this morning.

Well, I walked the beach and snapped a bunch of pre-Karen photos. The surf was up and the sun was peeking through the clouds and sparkling on the water. The clouds were gorgeous, as always when a tropical storm or hurricane is in the Gulf.

A view of Pensacola Beach from beneath the pier.

Several surfers were out, but the waves were breaking in such a way that the rides were short. I talked to one of the surfers who said he hoped the waves would be better this afternoon.

The far west end of Pensacola Beach.

Overall, the storm clouds were awesome this morning. At the time of these photos, Tropical Storm Karen was approximately 270 miles SSW of  Pensacola Beach. The actual point of landfall is still unknown.

Seagulls waiting for Tropical Storm/Hurricane Karen.

In spite of the fact that it was really cool getting to meet Jim Cantore this morning, we Floridians would rather have Tropical Storm Karen fizzle out in the Gulf and never reach hurricane strength.

Jim, you're welcome to visit our beach any ol' time, just please don't bring a hurricane with you.

Florida Fall Flowers

Roses at the Gulf Breeze Zoo.

Florida is truly the land of flowers and Fall is no exception. An assortment of pinks, reds, lavenders and blues are found just about everywhere.

Flowers I can't begin to name.

I happen to love flowers. So when I went to the Gulf Breeze Zoo the weekend before last I took bunches of photos of the flowers I found there.








Crepe Myrtle at the Gulf Breeze Zoo.

Some of the flowers I recognized: Roses, Crepe Myrtle and Oleander. Many others I couldn't even begin to name. (If you happen to know the names of some of these flowers, please feel free to comment below.)

No, I can't name these either.

My grandkids wanted to know why I was taking photos of flowers instead of just the animals and, of course, them. Yes, my grandkids always want photos taken of them wherever they go.

Lavender-Blue flowers a bit out of focus.

Well, my last post included some of the photos I took of the Rhinos, Zebras, Gorillas and other zoo animals. So it seemed only fair that today's post is all about those gorgeous flowers at the zoo.

More flowers I can't name.

If you want to visit the Gulf Breeze Zoo to see those flowers and zoo animals up close and personal, well, here's the link below so you'll know how to get there.

Gulf Breeze Zoo in NW Florida

I haven't a clue on this one.

Since I have a one year zoo pass I'll be visiting the zoo quite often, which means lots more photos of flowers and zoo animals.


Oleanders at the Gulf Breeze Zoo.

I hope you'll stop by from time to time to check out my posts and photos. I even post about writing every now and then. Gee, imagine that.

Magnolia seedpods are more colorful than the blooms.

I promise that my next post will be about books. After all, I love books even more than flowers, which is saying a lot.

Zebras, Rhinos and Gorillas, Oh My!

Rwanda, the Lowland Gorilla at the Gulf Breeze Zoo.

What better way to start the Fall Season than a trip to the zoo? So that's just what I did today with my grandkids. The Gulf Breeze Zoo is small, but it's so much fun.

Gulf Breeze Zoo in Northwest Florida

Rhinos on the run. Where's the food?

It was raining off and on, so everything was pretty wet.

Today we got to see the Zebras and Rhinos being fed, along with Llamas, Ostriches and other zoo animals I couldn't even begin to name.

Zebras heading for brunch.

It was pretty impressive to see Rhinos on the run. I swear the ground was shaking underfoot. The Zebras also arrived at a run.

Chow time at the zoo.

I've never been this close to Rhinos and Zebras. I was definitely as awed as my grandkids.

Chow time. Do we have to share?

My grandkids kept saying, "Nana, take another picture." So that's just what I did. Lots and lots of zoo photos. I already have about a zillion zoo photos, but I can always take more.

The regal Silverback Gorilla.

Rwanda, the female Lowland Gorilla, was as photogenic as ever. The huge Silverback Gorilla was very regal. I tried to get some photos of Kigali, the baby Gorilla, but he was in constant motion and his photos were just a blur.

If you like zoo pics, be sure to check out my previous zoo posts. Also, since I have a one year zoo pass, I'll be posting more zoo pics from time to time.

Pensacola's Graffiti Bridge - Simply Weird

"Weird" Graffiti on Pensacola's Graffiti Bridge on 9/6/13.

I happen to live just a few miles across the bay from Pensacola's Graffiti Bridge. I drive under the bridge at least a couple times a week and usually stop to take photos of all the cool graffiti which changes daily.

Pensacola's Graffiti Bridge on 9/6/13.

Well, last week there was some "Weird" graffiti on the bridge. A collection of eyeballs and signed by Weird. I have no clue about this latest "artist" but I couldn't resist taking some photos that day and posting them here.

Pensacola's Graffiti Bridge on 9/4/13.

Maybe I'm a strange bird, but I enjoy all that weird, strange, cool, awesome graffiti. It could have something to do with growing up in Southern California, in Los Angeles County, where graffiti was, well, everywhere.

Pensacola's Graffiti Bridge on 9/4/13.

I'm a sometimes artist (I paint in oils and acrylics) and whenever I pass the graffiti bridge I'm sorely tempted to add a bit of my own artistic touch. On the other hand, since it's technically illegal to graffiti the bridge I've never ventured to add to the ever changing display of graffiti.

Pensacola's Graffiti Bridge on 9/4/13.

Gee, what would my grandkids think of their Nana getting arrested for painting graffiti? So no, I won't become a graffiti artist any time soon.

If you love graffiti and happen to be anywhere near Pensacola, Florida you'll want to visit the graffiti bridge (aka the 17th Street Bridge).

The Graffiti Bridge, Pensacola Florida




I've never actually heard of anyone getting arrested for adding graffiti to the bridge. Though I've seen police vehicles there on many occasions. Maybe the cops just stop by to check out the latest graffiti? From time to time someone adds a tasteless bit of graffiti which is quickly painted out.

Here's Looking At You - Pensacola's Graffiti Bridge on 9/4/13.

Periodically a group of citizens come along and paint out all the graffiti. However, by the next day there's a whole new display of graffiti adorning the bridge. If nothing else, graffiti artists are a determined lot who do most of their artistic creations in the middle of the night.

Just so you know, from time to time I post photos of the graffiti bridge. Hey, what can I say? I happen to love Pensacola's Graffiti Bridge.




Note - My latest photos of Pensacola's Graffiti bridge were taken two different days last week, on 9/4/13 and 9/6/13. There were a few subtle changes from one day to the next.

WARNING - Do not drive a big truck (aka a semi) under the bridge as you'll get stuck and have to be towed out. They also issue traffic citations for that. In spite of the warning signs, it still happens now and then.

Lunch at Flounder's on Pensacola Beach

Flounder's Chowder House on Pensacola Beach.

 

 

 

A couple days ago I had lunch at Flounder's Chowder House on Pensacola Beach. It was a Girls Day Out with some friends. Ahh, what a yummy lunch. We ordered a huge mound of Seafood Nachos and split it between us girls.

When it was all gone I realized I should have taken a photo before we dug in. Hmm! I guess that means I'll have to go back there again?

Outside covered seating at Flounder's.

Those of us who weren't driving ordered a Bushwhacker, which is a mocha rum punch. Very tasty. On Wednesdays a Bushwhacker is only $2.00 - a real bargain, which means you might want more than one.

Well, I was driving that day, so all I got was a tiny little sip. Next time someone else gets to drive me home.

Great sea-going decor at Flounder's.

Dessert was a triple-decker, to-die-for, Key Lime Pie. One order is actually the equivalent of half a pie. Well, we shared that too, but believe me, I swear I could have eaten the whole thing. I should have taken a photo of the Key Lime Pie too. What was I thinking?

Eat lunch with a shark at Flounder's.

I have my camera with me almost everywhere I go. I take tons of photos of just about everything. So how did I forget to take photos of the Seafood Nachos and the Key Lime Pie?

The Soundside view at Flounder's.

Well, after we finished eating we all wandered around Flounder's, taking in the sights. The restaurant sits on the Soundside of Pensacola Beach, right on the water. The view is awesome! Seating is inside or outside. The decor is colorful. The food is delicious.

The outdoor stage at Flounder's.

Here's the link to Flounder's in case you happen to be visiting Pensacola Beach.

Flounder's Chowder House - Pensacola Beach



The kids' pirate ship at Flounder's.

Flounder's is a great place to bring the whole family. Kids can play on the outdoor pirate ship or dig in the sugar-white sand.

It's one of those restaurants where you want to sit and stay a while. And you also want to eat, eat and eat.

Flounder's Weather Rock.

Before you leave Flounder's you'll want to check out the Weather Rock. In case you can't read the print this is what it says.

If this Rock is ...

Dry - - - - - - - - - -  Sunny
Shaded - - - - - - - - Cloudy
Sweating - - - - - -   Humid
Hot - - - - - - - - - -   Heat Wave
Hard to See - - - -   Foggy
Rolling - - - - - - - -  Windy
Wet - - - - - - - - - -  Raining
Chipped - - - - - - -  Hailing
Icy - - - - - - - - - - - Sleeting
Spinning - - - - - - - A Tornado
Blown Away - - - - A Hurricane
Floating - - - - - - -  A Tidal Wave
Not Moving - - - - - On a Coffee Break

Me and the Man-Eating Giant Clam.

You'll also want to have your photo taken with the Man-Eating Giant Clam. I couldn't resist and had a friend take my photo.

Flounder's Chowder House is all about yummy food, an ultra-friendly wait staff, and just a great place to sit and visit with family and friends. Not to mention, it's on beautiful Pensacola Beach. This is paradise, baby, Florida style.