"EXCITEMENT" IN OUR PARK TODAY

WHOO-EEE!  A blimp, or non-rigid airship, floated quietly over the front of our park (La Casa Del Sol) today.  So quiet, if someone didn't see it and call your attention to it, it would've stealthily passed on by ~         unnoticed. 

Coming and going ~ the blue sky makes it even more visible.  It was totally white, no markings whatsoever.
Guess it doesn't take much to get us excited!

SAME ~ YET DIFFERENT

That's the Circle B Ranch Preserve.
Each time we venture out to this preserve, I think - it's the same place we were just at.  Each time I step out of the car and look up or around, I see something different!  
This time it was a rafter of turkeys pecking near the Nature Center. 
Above, I spied a squadron of white pelicans, then another and another!  The blue sky was suddenly speckled with scoops of large, white pelicans.  Pod after pod of pelicans came in and gently landed on the lake.  These spectacular birds, with a 9' wing span, 
are cooperative feeders.  They don't nose (beak) dive into the water, as brown pelicans do.  White pelicans "herd" fish toward shore and then share the school of fish. 


To my amazement there were thousands of turkey vultures - everywhere!  Flying overhead, perched in trees, standing on patches of land ~ alone, in pairs, or an entire  wake will roost in several trees grouped close together. 
Vultures survive mainly on carrion (dead or decaying flesh).  If need be they will eat plants or tear apart sick, weak, or young prey.  

I just stood and tried to think how many dead animals/fish/etc. there must be on this preserve to feed all the vultures we were observing with every turn!  Amazing. 

Seems leafless trees were the perch of choice for the many vultures.

Black-bellied whistling ducks,red-bellied woodpeckers, 

sand hill cranes and the "regulars" (water birds) were also 

plentiful this time at the Circle B.

My brother-in-law wishes these guys would stay down here forever.  They are not "farmer-friendly" where corn is being planted and grown for a living.

 The red-bellied woodpecker is a common back-yard feeder up north. We have some in the our park here also. 

Of course, it wouldn't be the Circle B if alligators weren't spotted.  

Skinny, compared to the girth we had seen on other gators, draped along the log with a smiling face.  Reminds me of a cartoon! 

A TRIP THROUGH BETHLEHEM

Tonight we took a trip through Bethlehem.  We walked the paths that people walked many years ago. The life of Jesus ~ brought to life ~ by dedicated members of 

Calvary Baptist Church in Winter Haven, FL.

The soldiers were yelling at us to pay our taxes, the tax man laid with comfort, on his silk and furs, screaming and laughing that the Lord we were fascinated with was poor and he/the tax man/was rich and getting richer. 

Minstrels were playing their flutes in the street, women were selling bread.

A well dressed woman informed us that there was no room at her Inn; she insisted that we stop by the stable and see the newborn child that was born that night.  Why didn't she make room for the young couple, knowing they were with child? 

Passing by the lady selling candles; the man hawking his chickens - while his children ran around palying with the chickens not yet butchered.

The fire warmed us, as the "storyteller" lead us past the birth of Jesus into His life, death and resurrection.  

The carpenter was busy in his shop. 

        The babe was born to Mary and Joseph. 

The night and story ended ~ with the beginning of new life awaiting.

FROZEN ORANGE JUICE?

When it's cold down here water is sprinkled on the orange trees.  Essentially the sprayed on water freezes instead of the oranges. This works only for a short-lived cold snap.  
            Hopefully this cold snap is short-lived!  

Yesterday afternoon it was in the 50's but the ice was still hanging on the orange trees.
Canada ~ keep your cold air up there!  

SNOWING IN FLORIDA * KIND OF...

     Snow in Central Florida/they say it has happened.  Today we went to Celebration, FL.  Browsing in the unique shops, a great lunch at the Celebration Town       Tavern, a wonderful concert at Corpus Christi Catholic Church and then a stroll in the snow. 

       A wonderful "wintery" day! A wonderful life!

Segways and electric cars have their own parking spots in Celebration, FL.
(Flat Stanley is flying home this week.  We will miss him, but we know he had a great time here in Florida.)

The concert at Corpus Christi was wonderful!

The "snow" shoots out of birdhouses, strategically placed on Main St. in Celebration, FL.

Skating on Main St. in Celebration, FL.
The ice is actually plastic and the skates are special for plastic ice.

Kids playing in the "snow" ***

We were standing under this street lamp and large bell ornament when it started to "snow" in Celebration.  It felt like winter for a minute, it looked like 'home' and it made me feel homesick.  Then I remembered it there was a real blizzard predicted for WI tonight!

IT'S A LITTLE CHILLY HERE~IN THE MORNINGS

The mornings have been chilly.  High 30's, low 40's, when I get up.  
Flip the "fireplace" on and it gets toasty warm.  Today, off to a health fair and then to the Osceola Flea Market. Usually I like to buy fruits and veggies at the markets, but there is now a couple selling fruits and veggies about a mile down the road from us.  I stocked up yesterday-watermelons were $2!  Bananas, apples, onions, green peppers, potatoes and more. 
I'm making potato soup this weekend and pasta sauce to freeze.  Ready made meals in the freezer/it's a GOOD THING! 

Santa is keeping watch over our "fireplace".
My picks from the "Couple's Market" are gracing the table.
The sun is shinning ~ it will be a great day to look for "treasures" at the Flea Market! 

                        

ANOTHER MC DONALD'S/THIS ONE IS A CLASSIC!

Me, Elwood and Flat Stanley.  

This is why I take all the pictures ~

 Joe cut Elwood out of the picture!  

The stools have the little McDonald's guy on them, with his fifteen cents sign.  

Joe with Jake and Flat Stanley.  

Joe likes coffee from McDonald's,
I like their side salad.  
Today we stopped in Winter Haven 
and each had what we like.

Elvis is everywhere! 

This was a Classic McDonald's, so I had to take pictures! Of course, Flat is still with us so he is in every picture.  A fun place/Mickey D's sure has a "handle" on marketing! 

                                        
                   This little guy is cute!  
             Old McDonald's icon.
               His name is SPEEDEE. 
                  He was replaced in 1967
                  by Ronald McDonald.

Marilyn shows up everywhere too!