Bill's Blog

The Prisoner Wine Company

Outstanding labels

Tres Sabores

Julie's winery is one of our favorites

Inglenook

Francis Ford's little chateau

December 19, 2021

Honig Vineyard

Honig's bee symbol

James Cole Winery

One of two things every winemaker stores with his wine...

The other, of course, is a classic Rolling Stones pinball machine!

December 18, 2021

On our way through California, we saw increasing clouds as we headed towards Barstow. Stopping at a rest area, they started looking more ominous, obscuring the upcoming mountains...

As it turns out, on down the road at the Tehachapi Pass, we ran into serious snow conditions almost to Barstow. Fun driving in the snow!!

December 14, 2021

Bonus Image:
2nd image rendered as a Pencil Drawing:


 

Memories of a Friend

and

Thoughts from 2009
(click on the words at the bottom of the image)

'Miss you, my friend.

December 12, 2021

On the road to California...

Biloxi

West Texas

Pecos

December 8-11, 2021

After a dreary and rainy Friday. Saturday, November 6 arrived as a glorious but windy, chilly morning. 'Perfect day for the annual Florida Seafood Festival Parade in Apalachicola, FL. It was the definition of a smalltown parade, bringing out almost everyone in town.

Lining up to watch the parade

Waiting.

First came lots of fire trucks, including those from all the neighboring communities. Shined up and most carrying a platoon of kids.





The local power company put in an appearance, with a bucket o' kids.

There were BIG floats and...

not so big floats...

A King and Queen

and an only-slightly older Ms. Apalach (1954).

Poodle skirts, with the obligatory poodle and..

the Swivel Sisters with big hats.

A Wizard even rode by.

There was a bike-riding exhibition, which included greeting parade watchers.



Strange characters appeared occasionally...


much to the delight of viewers.

It all ended with a horse-borne contingent stopping frequently to meet and greet.

A great time was had by all.

November 6, 2021

44th Wedding Anniversary

A sunset sail on a small boat out of John's Pass, Florida

A sunset progression...

No motors... real sailing

Treasure Island, going out

Boat in the distance

Sunset prequel

Annual Sand Sculpture Festival, just at sunset (the party was loud even from where we were)

An alligator chasing a flying duck into the sun

Rope catching setting sunlight

Sunset Progression

Motorized vehicle disturbing the calm

John's Pass, heading back in

November 19, 2021

November 13, 2021

At a produce stand on Hwy 19, Chiefland, FL

November 8, 2021

Two from our hotel room in Savannah...

Rainy Balcony

Trolley tracks in the style of oil painting

September 20, 2021

Everyone who has been to Savannah, GA with a camera or even a cell phone has done a picture of the river bridge at sunset. This is my contribution to the mass.

So, a little different take on the traditional:

The bridge long after sunset, about a one-minute HDR exposure

Bridge in the round, with observers.

It was a dark and cloudy night with lots of rain late one evening.

Straying a bit further off the traditional path, 

Raindrops on our hotel screen window that dark and rainy night. 

Reimagined as an impressionist painting.

September 20, 23 & 24, 2021

This post is in fond and loving memory of my cousin Tim Blackburn, who we visited in North Carolina just after the rainy images and just before the others. He left us, comfortably in his sleep, the night after we got back to Tampa. Goodbye, cous.

A few weeks ago a new guy moved into the neighborhood, right next door to us. Mostly he just sits on the concrete pond square watching the world go by. Occasionally he goes for an underwater hunting swim, with his head popping up around the pond. He has occasionally been mistaken for an aquatic snake, much to the chagrin of those seeing him.

New neighbor airing it all out.

The longtime resident quackery shares space, mostly ignoring him.

Off to find a snack

Is that a stick... no, it moved... IS IT A SNAKE??? Nah, it's just the new guy.

September 14-15, 2021

Three more images from the Westgate River Ranch Resort south of Orlando last month...

Three Birds

View from the front of an airboat

Pink flower from a moving airboat

August 2021

St. Petersburg night

St. Pete, harbor left

September 4, 2021

The Lee Miller Exhibit at the Dali in St. Petersburg is a beautiful and wonderful spotlight on an amazing woman- Model, Photographer, War Photojournalist, Surrealist Photographer. 

The Woman Who Broke Boundaries

Sept. 3, 2021

An afternoon storm leads to...

An outstanding sunset.

Coming in to watch the sunset (and drink wine)

Sunset Progression

August 13, 2021

A trip to Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales, FL

I have been driving by signs to Bok Tower for years when headed to other parts of Florida. Last month, with Ruth, we decided to stop. The gardens and the Singing Tower were beautiful. Since it was during the week, there were very few people. Unfortunately, it was a summer day in Florida: very hot, and very humid. They advertise a tram, but it was closed due to COVID so a lot of walking and we only covered a small part of the grounds. Well worth it, but if we go again it will be during cooler weather.

The history of Edward and Mary Louise Bok, the Singing Tower, and the Gardens are the subjects of many a book and website. Click here for the Wikipedia short version.   

The Singing Tower is about a half-mile walk through the gardens

Reflecting Pond

Approaching the Tower

The Gothic Revival Tower is the highest spot in the Gardens. Named the Singing Tower because of its 60-bell carillon, it is built with marble from Georgia, and coquina stone from St. Augustine, FL. The tower is surrounded by a moat that is now a koi pond. 

Trivia: there are carvings and paintings of flamingos. Unfortunately, attempts to introduce live flamingos failed because of the "cool" central Florida weather. 

A working sundial on the side of the tower.

Sundial closeup, with dedication by President Calvin Coolidge.

Views from the base of the tower

Lots of things left to age gracefully

Off to the side and below the tower is an Exedra commissioned by Edward Bok's neighbors.
Amidst all the meticulous landscaping, it looked oddly neglected.  

Carved into the marble.

View from the Exedra

At the visitor's center, we were surprised by a demonstration of a unique Florida activity: Gator Wrestling, updated with the introduction of a cell phone.

'Sorry about the quality, it was a very bright day.

August 13, 2021

Wandering the Westgate River Ranch Resort south of Orlando
(we stayed in Deluxe Teepees)

Where the buffalo roam...

"Water" Buffalo

Being ignored

Surly "Water" Buffalo up close

Herd 'o Buffalo

The front one is a youngster without full plumage

Don't get too close: sharp beaks and they spit

August 9-12, 2021

Tropical Depression Fred arrives at Anna Maria Island, Florida

August 14, 2021 approximately 3:30pm Eastern

Chihuly Collection
from a visit in May 2021

Very strange: lighting in the room was solid blue but the camera added the stripes

Jodi and Ruth in Chihuly!