THEME DAY-CHANGES

As day changes into night, the transition isn't smooth. Though the inevitable must occur, the day does not give up without a fight. We are all the beneficiaries of that battle.Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST

Just one last look at our favorite Manatee mailbox. We have featured this guy decked out in all manner of costumes appropriate for each holiday. Have fun tonight but be careful. There are enough crazies out there without you adding to their numbers. Happy New Year to each and every one of you. Best wishes for the best of all possible new years.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

While I did not take this picture nor do I know who did, I felt it appropriate to upload it today. A very Merry Christmas to all of you! May the peace that transcends all understand rest upon you and yours.

MOOSE CROSSING

Here's another creature I caught wandering around town. He wasn't with yesterday's animal but he was out of place, nevertheless. With the cold weather in the North, any creature with a credit card is heading South. Can't say as I blame them. He really needs to work on his tan.

IN DESPERATE NEED OF SUNBLOCK

You know how you always see Santa's sleigh being pulled by reindeer about the size of a real deer or perhaps a small horse. Well, I have it on good authority that the real reindeer employed by S. Claus, Inc., are considerable larger. I happened to see one of them just the other day. He was vacationing here prior to the 'big event.' That whole Rudolph thing is starting to make a lot more sense now.

FLY INTO THE DANGER ZONE...

This little guy flew into our yard the other day. He spent about 20 minutes watching me watch him. I politely asked from whence he came and by what name he favors. He remained silent but focused and reticent till his departure. If anyone out there knows his family name, please let me know. I can't say that I've seen his kind before.

HERE'S LOOKING AT YOU, KID

This is certainly not your everyday truck. This one has character, personality, and a whole lot of charm. The paint job is right out of Spray-Paint 101, no air brushing on this baby. It's also very easy to find in a parking lot.

HE OVER STATES THE OBVIOUS

I have displayed more than a few shots on this web sight that were taken in cemeteries. They contain beautiful sculpture, touching verse, and the occasional oddity. The above shot defies convention. The dearly departed is sending a message to the living. Enlarge the photo and read the inscription in the lower right corner. Truer words were never spoken.

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

I don't really know what to say about this statue. The owner must not have been happy gazing upon the sculptor's work and felt the need to embellish it. And that, he did. I cleaned up the image a tad to allow viewing by all age groups. I had to use Photoshop since I was unable to find a fig leaf. I don't suppose any of you have something similar in your backyards? I thought not.

IN THE OCTOPUS'S GARDEN IN THE SHADE...

Many people go to great lengths to decorate their homes at this time of year. I'm sure many of you have seen Santa in his sled being pulled by 'Ole Red Nose' and the boys (they were actually girls, you know;the 'boys' shed their antlers in winter but not the girls). But I digress. I bet none of you have seen a Christmas Octopus. Well now you have. Kind of makes you wonder what Halloween might have been like.

OSTER SHREDDER

Another one of Those weird pieces of "Modern Art." Looks rather interesting from afar. Not quite sure what, or if, it represents. I believe it looks like a combination of a paper-shredder and a blender.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

Many people have made inquiries as to where I originally hail from. Well, I really am not permitted to say. Some have hinted that it is "not from around here," and, no, I have never been in New Mexico. At least not around Roswell. I will show you a shot I took on returning from home. I took this just before reentry (I mean landing). So there you have it. I hope that answers all your questions. Oklahoma is lovely this time of year.

THE DETROIT LIONS

While walking around downtown the other day, I came across these lions arguing. Seems they were about to play basketball but they each wanted to play with their respective basketballs. The were hissing and snarling at each other;and the language the were using. Finally, I had enough. "Have some 'pride' I screamed." "They'll be her shortly," they retorted.

TROMPE L'OEIL, MY DEAR?

The more I get around this city, the more murals I discover. They really seem to be everywhere. The work above is one of my most favorite. Do yourself a favor, click it and be amazed. The perspective is incredible. While my French leaves much to be desired, I believe this is a real 'trompe l'oeil.'

KNIGHT TO SEE YOU AGAIN

I was taking some photos the other day and came upon this tree. I really liked the way the light was reflecting off the trunk. I must have looked suspicious because the owner of the house came out and was ready to defend it at all cost. You can tell he means business just by looking at him. So, I got back in my Yugo and retreated to my own castle. I may be gone for a day or two as both my Commodore 64 and "Trash 80" have been removed from life support. The new 'Black Box' arrives today and it may take me more than a day to get it up to speed. Those new IBM PC's can be pretty tough on the floppy disks.

VOISIN BIENVENU

We have many Canadians that visit South Florida at this time of year. They are wonderful people in spite of their strange accents. They, also, bring with them a few strange habits. Being of hardy stock and great lovers of the outdoors, they enjoy being in nature as much as possible. While we Americans are a tolerant lot, we must put our collective feet down. Please, bathe indoors. Aye!

WALL TO WALL, WALL

I came across this mural by chance. While out in search of what, I can't remember, I ran into this very strange work;almost primitive by most "mural" standards. It certainly got my attention. You may want to click the image for a better view.

STOCKING STUFFER

I love cars that look like they're moving when standing still. The Audi R8 pictured fits that description perfectly. Just sitting at a parking meter it might get a speeding ticket. The U.S. version checks in with a 420 H.P. engine capable of speeds in excess of 180 MPH;very practical in a state where the top speed limit is 70 MPH. But hey, who said anything about practicality? It gets about 12 MPG city and 18 MPG on the highway. I guess that explains why it's not available in "Green."

I'LL MEET YOU BY THE RED CHAIR

I am confused when looking at some modern art. Take the above piece which resides in front of a downtown office building. It is Modern, obviously not part of the 16th, 17th, or even the 18th or 19th centuries. One look tells you it is somewhere between one month and 10 years old. Kind of makes you wonder what people will think of it and similar pieces in the not too distant future. Just down the street, is a wonderful exhibition of Norman Rockwell's works. I think I may rest in this chair before heading down to see it.;if I can just find the missing cushion.