Thunderstorm

Out in west Texas

On the wide open prairie

Thunderstorms are fierce.

From miles far away

One can observe their approach

Exhilarating!

But in Florida

Surrounded by lush forest

Lightning surprises.

Rains pound all around

Drumming in relentless force

Crashing thunder booms.

There is no telling

When the next crack will occur 

Heart stopping each time. 

   

Blurry photo of a medium sized turtle. I spoke to him and he scurried back to the safety of the forest.   

 

Tijuana Flats

Studly Doright finally had the opportunity to eat at Tijuana Flats, hands down the best fast food Mexican place in Tallahassee. 

I’ve been after him for months to try them out. Of course he loved it and asked innocently, “Why haven’t we eaten here before?” Slap!

 

 Peace (and hot sauce) People!  

The Snake Next Door

  

And his worst enemy, shovel.

My neighbor discovered Mr. Snake on his front porch upon returning home from a doctor’s appointment. The meeting did not go well for the reptile.

The little guy wasn’t a danger, but my neighbor panicked. Understandable, yet regrettable all the same.

Rest in peace Snake.

Peace, people.

Give ‘Em L Tour Ending

All good things, 

They say

Must end. 

I want to know

Who are “they”

And why must I 

Listen to them?

 The three L’s leaving our mark on the beach at St. George Island, Florida, March 23, 2015.

These were a few of our favorite –ings:

Shopping

Wining

Dining

Exploring

Talking

Laughing

Reminiscing

 Lauren, Ponce de Leon, Leslie, and Lila, at The Fountain of Youth, March 25, 2015.

Leslie and Lila at The Spanish Sugar Mill in DeLeon Springs, FL, March 25, 2015.

 Lila and Lauren at The Blue Parrot, Saint George Island, March 23, 2015.

 Lauren, joined by two little folks at DeLeon Springs. One of my favorite pictures of the week.

Why is it that 

Spring break weeks

Take forever to arrive, 

Yet end almost as

Soon as they’ve begun?

That’s a question 

For the wise folks

Among us, and 

Certainly I am not one.

 

Peace, People!

Frog Chorus

I. Sun sets over lake
Rousing chorusing begins
Syncopated frogs.

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https://www.etsy.com/listing/125730184/california-florida-chicago-yankee-doodle

II. Sing it again frog,
Your beautiful song of night.
Nature’s lullaby.

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III. Thousands chirruping
Signal another day’s done
Melodic strains rise.

http://youtu.be/8fWjKQaPc0c

Lesson Learned

Note to self: Never hit Panama City Beach during March! 

I’m picking Studly up at the Panama City airport in a couple of hours, and thought I’d come on over a little early and eat dinner at the beach before his plane lands. 

It is a zooooo!!! People who have no business on motorcycles are riding scooters and splitting lanes. Families in these funky little street buggies–colorful little golf carts, really, are pulling in front of lane splitting scooter riders. College kids are everywhere. Of course at my age they all look like preschoolers. 

On the plus side, and it is a BIG plus, I can see the beach from my table, and I’m having fresh mahi mahi. And, Studly will be home soon!



Peace, people!

Give ‘Em L Tour

In a week, two of my friends from Illinois are coming to visit me in Florida. To protect their anonymity I’ll call them L1 and L2, since both their names start with the letter L. And Nana Noyz is just an alias. My name also begins with L, so I’m dubbing our get-together the “Give ’em L” tour. I’m excited. Beyond excited. Ecstatic is the best word. 

I’m a bit envious, too, because the Illinois Ls are taking a major road trip to get to Doright Manor in Tallahassee. I am the queen of road trips. So, as soon as L1 and L2 arrive we’re going farther south to the oldest permanent settlement in the United States: Saint Augustine.

It’s been years since I visited, so I can’t wait to explore the old cobblestoned streets and quaint shops.



Saint Augustine also boasts some of the prettiest beaches in the country.



And an historic fort:



Of course I’ll let the visitors choose our sights to see, as long as we get to eat some good seafood. 



Peace, people!

Rainy Evening

Slow plinking then gush
Then abruptly back to plink
A Florida thing.

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Photo by Judy Wanamaker

Drinking wine on a
Rainy evening with friends
Life at its fullest.

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Hold me closer now,
Raindrops in syncopation
Tapping out love’s code.

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The Red Umbrella by Loui Jover.

Mail Lizard

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I have gotten better at opening the mailbox so as to not disturb the mail lizard. For his part, he has come to expect my presence.

My question, has he taken the civil service exam?

Convertible Weather

I. My man and I

Out for a 

Cruise in the

Sunshine with the

Top down and the

Radio blasting our

Favorite tunes.

Damn, these

Florida

Winters are

Brutal.



II. Late winter sunshine

Indulging my contentment

Basking feels so right.



III. Snow where is thy sting?

My northern brethren know well

I revel in warmth.



Peace, people!