Vox’s posts tagged florida

Scallops!

nobody@vox.com(Lisa) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:55:23 +0000

After relaxing on the beach for a couple of days, the weather was finally stable enough for a snorkeling expedition. Our camping neighbors had not had much luck with the scallops but admitted that they were not experts. Nevertheless, we loaded up our tiny boat and headed out to our favorite scallop spots. I didn't bring a waterproof camera with me so I don't have any boat or actual snorkeling pics this time to share. We have to motor about 45 mins to go the three miles or so to our starting point in St. Joseph Bay.

Snorkel Map

It took about an hour to find a spot with plenty of scallops but they were there just waiting for us to pick them up!

Here are a few pics of Pat and the scallop-cleaning process. He's gotten better at cleaning them, it only takes him about 2 hours to clean our 4 gallons.

The delicious final product before it is released from the shell for cooking.

Scallops 6

Pat finishes with a sip of his favorite beverage and it's on to the next one.

That's enough for now. I have tons of cleaning to do here and need to make a trip to WalMart this morning. Tomorrow I'll post the pics of my favorite nautical antiques shop in Appalachicola.

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lyric of the day 7/23/08

nobody@vox.com(uncagedbird) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 20:45:09 +0000

yesterday was an odd day. I was ready to kill at work, and then had Tracey Time when I got home. Took a long walk with the dogs, read, wrote, watched Deadwood. Most of the music I listened to didn't have lyrics.
And since there's no real song that hits it...you get Modest Mouse.

Although we often wondered
It was no thing of wonder
The shit that flew from our minds
Grass stains and fresh fruit
Reminds our shoes of horse glue
On this ridiculous climb
With great tall vision
We built ourselves a mission
To ride out motives decide
Oh, with vague description
Of what we have been missing
So why would anyone try?
- Modest Mouse, "Florida"

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Alright the love is NOT here - WTF?

nobody@vox.com(SerenityLife) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:34:55 +0000

It amazes me of the insensitive people in this world. Why would he do this?

Further, this is in my mother's hometown and honestly, I have had some scary experiences down there throughout my life but this is the scariest thing that I have ever read.

Thank you to my friend here in VOX for sharing this with me.

Tells you WHY I don't wear my hair braided. Listen to what the newscaster said.

Makes you wonder why some of us try to assimilate into society or coon or just act like baffoons. Why? Some of us assimilate not to make some people upset. Some people HATE other cultures just because they are different and us minorities dislike the ignorance. Why hate? So ignorant! Some of us don't hate you but just because I have SPF 50000 as Oprah said (melanin - dark skin) and my hair is kinky you are going to hate! How absurd!

This misguided idiot needs to get a clue why he is torn psychologically. To the dude who ran over the young lady, you are a disgrace to the world and you are a peon. I hope the Lord gets the demons out of your system. You are beyond lost but in need of spiritual intervention (prescription drugs may help you out too!)

Video - White Man Yells, "All Black People Should Die" Man Mows Down Bicyclist While Screaming Racial Slurs

Please check out CNN's Black In America Part 2 tonight

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Deerfield Beach, FL pier at dawn

nobody@vox.com(LondonYankee) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:41:46 +0000

Hello all! I found the cord and got these off the camera from Sunday morning! They are in order as the dawn progressed...

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Florida Fun Day One

nobody@vox.com(Lisa) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:41:25 +0000

We spent our first full day in Florida just relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Cape San Blas in St. Joseph Penninsula State Park.

We Were Here

After getting our fishing licenses, icing down some beverages, collecting our gear and books, we headed out to the beach for a relaxing day of fishing, reading and sunning.

We enjoy the shore birds and other wildlife.

Bird on Beach

The surf was fairly high the first couple of days and the purple flags were out warning of jellyfish in the water. Our beach neighbor caught this Remora and wandered over to inquire whether to keep it or throw it back. We also caught one but this pic is of hers.

Remora

After finishing one book, failing to catch dinner and getting plenty of sun, we enjoyed our first sunset of the week. None of the sunsets were special all week...either too many clouds or too few...today it was too many.

Sunset 1

But anytime you're at the beach watching the sunset, it IS special!

Sunset 2

I have a ton of things to do today. Get a haircut, go help my boss with her new toy...a new Canon digital SLR...can't remember which one but my lack of cell and internet service while on vacation meant that she had to pick out her camera without my help. We're going to play with it today. And get started on this filthy house! We picked out new den furniture while on vacation and I need to get it ordered. We have to paint the room first so we have to empty it. Big project. Here's a pic of our new sofas. They're slipcovered in denim. Most appropriate for us!

Lr_sof_10167105

I'm letting Pat keep his ugly recliner but I'm getting this chair and an ottoman that matches the sofas.

0-2500-1298havertys

I'll paint the room a light khaki color...I think. The sofas are on sale so I'm ready to get started. Have a great day ya'll!

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Lakeland Local

nobody@vox.com(LakelandLocal) — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:02:27 +0000

Lakeland Local

///////////////////////////////////////////
Cabbage Palms and Date Palms hit by Disease New to Area

Posted: 22 Jul 2008 03:45 PM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/342867294/cabbage-palms-and-date-palms-disease.html

I found an article that might be of interest to local home owners. It seems Texas Phoenix palm decline (TPPD) has been confirmed in Lakeland:

The first clue is an excessive amount of dead lower leaves; more than what is normally seen with aging (senescence) or nutrient deficiencies. The second clue is death of the spear leaf, prior to death of all other leaves in the canopy. Eventually, the palm canopy will collapse around the trunk as the bud decays. -- Naples Daily News

Officials believe the phytoplasma pathogen that caused problems with the Texas Phoenix palm may be affecting cabbage palms. They feel it will be easier to detect the problem in natural areas, or palms with "relatively large canopy."

For an extensive account of the disease's process and how you can check your palms see the article at naplesnews.com

Remember that cabbage palms die or appear unhealthy from a variety of problems: lightning, nutrient deficiencies, over-trimming, deep planting, insects, other diseases such as ganoderma butt rot, herbicides (roadside vegetation management) and fires (natural or prescribed burns). Only palms with the symptoms described above should be sampled for lab analysis of this new pathogen.

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Rep. Bob Allen (R-Merritt Island, Florida) is not a homosexual.

nobody@vox.com(Q) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:57:45 +0000

Bob Allen is not a homosexual.

Bob Allen

Jet Boy, Jet Girl

Elton Motello

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Lakeland Local

nobody@vox.com(LakelandLocal) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:02:38 +0000

Lakeland Local

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Blogging, Business, and Such

Posted: 21 Jul 2008 07:52 AM CDT
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/LakelandLocal/~3/341474835/blogging-business-and-such.html

A reminder:

The Polk County Bloggers, a not-for-profit, bylaws free, organization sans leadership, is happy to announce a meeting today for area bloggers, citizen journalists, paid journalists privileged to write blogs, business bloggers, and anyone with an hour to spare.

July 21, 2008
Noon to 1 pm
at the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce
(Yes, you read that correctly.)
35 Lake Morton Drive
Lakeland, FL

This meeting is focused on the business that blogs, hopes to blog, or wonders why customers always ask for the company "blog." It doesn't matter if your company is for profit, not for profit, or wondering what this "profit" thing is that everyone talks about. We'll mainly discuss some of the problems and opportunities blogging brings to your business, but the floor is open to any of your questions.

See you there!

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busy busy

nobody@vox.com(LondonYankee) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:23:09 +0000

Has been a busy couple of days - lots of moving stuff around here at the house and still not much sleep. I am considering taking a roommate for a few months to cut down on some expenses as the new job ramps up. Did I mention that it is commission only? eek :) good thing I love it but after lots of thought - the roommate option seems to be the best. The apartment is set up perfectly so that they could have their own room and living space and so can I. wee bit tighter quarters but I can live with it. So much rearranging and finding new homes and creative homes for the several hundred books and all m statues and stuffilove... :) I packed some away and there is just still tons!
Crossing fingers that I find someone nice...otherwise I could always just go camp out with the dragonflies! :)
Here are a few more Florida pics...

son of fat boy before he eats the flower

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On the bike

nobody@vox.com(E&G) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 03:21:52 +0000

This is funny, I was riding the bike yesterday on what has been my regular route on the island, and holding my phone in one hand (which was also holding the handlebars) as I was expecting a call. Somehow or other I guess I pushed the camera button on the side of my phone, because when I looked down to check the time instead I saw this photo:

Image034

I took a picture of myself and I didn't even know! Oh, and I know, it's not safe to ride a bike wearing headphones. But hey, I barely have any time to listen to music out in these Florida wilds, so I need to get my fix whenever I can. Besides, I'm riding on bike paths, not in the street.

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Quick And Easy Steps To Find The Right Modern Furniture For Your Home In Miami

nobody@vox.com(wchua24) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:44:23 +0000

There might come a time in your life when you reach a dead end in coming up with an idea for a modern furniture that will fit perfectly with your residence in Miami. In fact, inexperience can lead to major regret when you purchase the wrong furniture that clash horribly with the design of your abode.

Considering that many of the homes in Miami, Florida are elegant and stylish, you need to find the right home furnishing that will match with the overall architectural design, as well as accentuating its beauty and comfort. Here are some quick and easy steps to find the right modern furnishing for your needs.

Step 1: Finding The Right Idea

When picking out modern furniture for your Miami abode, you need to keep in mind that creativity plays an integral role in coming up with the right design that will fit perfectly with it. If you don’t have one of your own, then you might want to check out other sources idea to find the right design for it.

For starters, you can check home improvement channels on television for home furniture ideas. Also, you can purchase home improvement magazines and furniture catalogs to be able to determine on which designs would fit perfectly with your taste. The Internet is also a good source of furniture ideas, since most of these furniture businesses are going online with the venture, so go online and check them all out.

Step 2: Measurements Are Essential

If you don’t want to end up purchasing furniture that is too big or too small for your home, then you better take some extra time to make a floor plan, complete with measurements, that will help you acquire the right size of modern furniture for it.

Draw up a layout of your home and decide on where you want your modern furniture to be placed. Measure carefully the floor area so that you will know if the furnishings that you picked will fit perfectly with it. If not, you can check out other designs with measurements that will match with that specific area of your home.

Step 3: Window Shopping Is The Key

You don’t have to settle on one furniture shop in Miami for your modern furniture acquisition. In truth, it is advisable that you check out assorted furniture shops around the city, or on the Internet, so that you can compare prices and designs to avoid any regrets later on.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor
http://www.modani.com/store/

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Our Fascinating Past purchased

nobody@vox.com(yapidka) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:00:18 +0000

Our Fascinating Past, Charlotte Harbor: The Early Years

I finally bought a copy of Our Fascinating Past, Charlotte Harbor: The Early Years by Lindsey Williams and U.S. Cleveland. Tom used to have a copy that was signed by both authors but Hurricane Charley took it like it took many things. The only author available to sign now is Williams, but I'm not complaining. I think it's cool he's willing to sign copies.

As it is, it seems odd to pay shipping and have it be mailed. This is something that I could very easily just pick up. Oh well. I already paid the $4.

I'm hoping the book will answer some of the questions that seem to be rapidly growing in number with the more that I learn about this area.

This is an image of the cover since Amazon is lacking:

Our Fascinating Past

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Vacation - Act IV - Fort Matanzas

nobody@vox.com(Spike) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:39:17 +0000

Fort Matanzas National Monument is located just outside of St. Augustine on Rattlesnake Island. We actually had to drive out on Anastasia Island to get to the visitor center, and then take a pontoon ferry out to the fort. The original fortification there had been a wooden stockade and watchtower, but a more permanent stone fort was built by the Spanish after the British besieged St.Augustine in 1740.

Here is a view from the boat.

Matanzas

The fort has been heavily restored and now sports four cannon, though the original had not so many. The wooden staircase leads to the upper level where the officer slept. The enlisted men (six or seven usually) slept in the barracks below the officers' level. The lowermost part of the fort housed a cistern for storing fresh water. From the officers' quarters, one can climb a wooden ladder through a very small opening and gain access to the rooftop. The view from there is quite spectacular.

The guns are on a wooden platform, but the platform itself sits on a good solid stone parapet. Rattlesnake Island is actually quite small.

That little bastion is the only one on this fort, unlike the Castillo de San Marcos. At one time the entire fort was covered in a smooth surface of white plaster, but the weather has eroded that away. The little tower is quite cozy. There is room enough for one person IF he or she is not terribly stout.

The single gun is (I believe) a 12-pounder or possibly a 24 pounder) I ought to know..but being that the tour only lasted an hour I had lots of photos to take and neglected the poor cannon. :(

The guns protected the inlet from British ships (and later from Spanish ships). There is a nice indepth history of the fort on the page I linked to above if you want to read more.

The lands around the fort are in part owned by the National Audubon Society as a wildlife sanctuary and are part of the Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve. Suffice it to say there is plenty of things for nature-lovers to see too.

Matanzascedar

For instance, this 300-year-old cedar tree. At this time there is an effort at the Matanzas National Monument to restore the historic plantlife by removing all species of plants that were introduced in the past 200 years. There is also a boardwalk nature trail near and around the visitor center. The island on which the fort itself is built is quite marshy and likely snakey too..so this photo of the cedar was as close-up as your intrepid photographer dared.

Below are a few pics of the officers' quarters and barracks as they might have been furnished.

The room has a vaulted stone ceiling, and the powder magazine is actually built into a tiny nook in the curving part of the wall (see right of the first photo). In the little alcove around the powder magazine are baskets and barrels of provisions. The men garrisoned there might have been supplied with fruit, corn, or hard bread. Water had to be collected from rainstorms or brought in from the mainland. The desk (right-middle photo) is a reproduction, though some of the colour-printed pictures and modern maps are a bit anachronistic. Note the crucifix on the wall. All soldiers of the Spanish army of that period had to be Catholics in good standing with the Church. The enlisted soldiers had a bit less personal space than the officer(s) above. In addition to themselves, they had all their muskets and gunnery equipment and impliments stacked in with them.

It is a great site to visit, and hopefully we will be going back this fall when we have more time for the nature trail.

Tune in sooooon for my final vacation posting of photos in and around St. Augustine including our lovely meals at Barnacle Bill's seafood restaurant.

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