13th Anniversary (IV)

Day 3:

You can barely see (and boy are they hard to shoot!) the dolphins here. It took a couple days to get any pics of them since they don't pop up out of the water too much. They were active like the pelicans every morning in bad light.

This closer-up is the best I got:

Great Blue Heron:

And again with the GBH:

And the pre-dinner view, once again:

We had salmon with leeks. No pictures. I'll be sure to fix that next time we do anything like this. I did post some pics of salmon with leeks in the past if you're interested.

13th Anniversary (III)

Day 2.

Pelicans seem to really love being active in the morning when the light's not too great:

The Wife and I have been paying attention to the sky here in Florida, and we just have to say that I don't think we've seen anything like it anywhere else:

Why, yes, this is a self-portrait. It was not taken by myself, however, but by the lovely Wife:

The not-as-stellar-as last-night's sunset, but still nice:

I think that last one was taken by the Wife. She was trying for that "lava" effect where the sun seems to melt into the sky before it quite reaches the horizon.

We retired to a grilled meal of Nathan's hot dogs, Johnsonville Brats, and pork tenderloin. Unfortunately, I failed to photograph dinner. Again.

13th Anniversary (II)

Day 1.

At the seawall, almost immediately upon arrival:

I know it looks rickety, but I was quite surprised at it's stability.

Not the best light, but I like shooting pelicans:

The requisite self-portrait:

Nearing dinner time, day 1:

We had ribeyes, asparagus, and potato leek soup:) I failed to photograph the meal :(

13th Anniversary (I)

A few pics related to the house we rented last weekend at Manasota Key.

A friendly 'gator:

The house, a view from the seawall:

The view from the bedroom:

this must be "quote" week for me...

"The world doesn't need one more American IPA, the world doesn't need another hefeweizen. Make something that adds to the beer drinkers' choices."

I agree.

I have my Aliteration ale fermenting now. It's my Sarasota summer seasonal sparkling sour-mash something-or-other. I'm searching for the perfect beer for our summers, and I'm getting close...

Heritage (Guns XXXII)

I just couldn't help myself. I had to get a photo. I really need to learn about indoor lighting (still...) so I can get rid of the flash. I probably need a new tripod since I lost the QD base for mine at a ren. fest.
It's made here in Florida, woohoo! It has the color case hardened frame, green camo (laminate wood) grips, 4.75" bbl, 2 interchangeable cylinders: LR (pictured) and WMR, 6 shots, 4-click hammer, 50 yard report is it can bust up some dirt clods. It's loads of plinking fun without plunking down loads of cash!

unintentional internet vacation

Our router went out on us almost a month ago. We got a new one from Verizon, but it wouldn't work with the old computer I was using. I broke down and spent some money for a new one yesterday and finally have it working. Hooray!

I look forward to blogging again very soon now.

Our drought of two years here has been impacted greatly over the last month due to some really good rains even before the traditional rainy season had begun.

I'll be blogging some more once I download my tons of photos from the cameras now that I have a new computer to do that with. See you then.

state fair

So, I took off last monday (Presidents' day). The kids had all been given free passes for the last day of the Florida State Fair. I borrowed my parents' camera and we drove 108 miles round trip to the fairgrounds in Tampa. Cracker Country was right past the entrance, thankfully, so it wouldn't be missed. I think that was the most interesting part for me. Then there was the fried food and the whirly-rides.

Cracker Country photos:

In the "Dry Goods" store I was intrigued by the Tinctura of Humulus Lupulus. Better known as hops!

This chicken didn't like being cooped up:

Our girls, bird (well, chicken) watching:

Basic Brewing Radio did a show the theme of which was: you know you're a homebrewer when...


So, when I saw these huge salt vats, I thought to myself "those would make some great brewpots!".


If you click on the picture, you will be able to read the sign.

not Cracker Country photos:

Devin, sitting across from Lauren. I just wasn't able to get a picture with Lauren in it.

Devin, front seat on the roller coaster:
Kevin and Ashley (the girlfriend), front seat on a different roller coaster:
Lauren, loosing her grip:

Winter Vacation...

... for the kids anyway. It ended when they went back to school yesterday.


I remember winter break when I was a kid. I spent every odd winter and spring break and every summer break with my dad while I was in grade school and he lived in Idaho and later Wisconsin. COLD AND SNOWY!!!

I know I sound like a broken record, but you gotta love Florida!


From left to right: Lauren's left hand, Kevin filling Devin's bike tire with air, and Devin eagerly awaiting the return of her bicycle.




Devin:

The lot of them:

Remember how I want to make impressionist photos? I got close again. Especially on the second one.

'Twas the night before Thanksgiving...

It was a bit chilly. Somewhere around 68 degrees. I wore a long-sleeved shirt. I am thankful for Florida weather among other things.

but... I read.... to my kids... but nobody gives me beer for it...

Free beer for men who read
7:00AM Friday August 01, 2008
Organisers of New Zealand Book Month are offering free beer to try to entice blokes to read books.
To promote reading as a "manly" activity, organisers have invited fathers and their sons to an evening of male bonding over sports, adventure and literature.
When they arrive at the venue, the Auckland Town Hall, the guests will also get a free beer - but only if they produce identification.
The evening, entitled A Word in his Ear, will be held on Friday September 5.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10524694

I can't get the beer (damnit!) for reading, as we're in the wrong country, but most recently we've been reading "the Children of Odin". I ordered it online with gift cards, thanks, Mom!

Independence Day

We had a good ol' time, thanks to Ernesto and Pam's invitation. We met them out at South Lido Park where they had a great spot back off the nature trail.

I guess our food smelled pretty good. This little lady tried to pry the lid off Pam's baked beans dish while nobody was looking. (Credit to Misty for getting this photo)

Must have smelled really good! Look at all the boats that came in:

Ribs:

Self-portrait:

Lauren, left and Devin, right:

Kevin, having trouble with his goggles:

Devin's grapes:

Sea grapes:

I must have had my camera set to video by accident. I inteded to do a little macro shot of the sea grapes, but caught what appears to be an ant chasing off a fly.

Thanks, guys!

Lake Manatee

We went fishing a couple weeks back at Lake Manatee. We'd never been there before. It was a very windy day so there wasn't too much boat traffic going on which was good since we could only fish off the docks.

It will be a nice place to fish if I ever get into a little boat. There was a guy there with a Gheenoo and I liked the little thing. I think it would sit on the van's luggage rack nicely.

The first two pictures were on our way in toward the docks. We saw the little fellow not 2 feet off the road. I have heard there is a good sized population of them here, but it's my first sighting. Thanks to Misty for the photos from the passenger seat!

Armadillo's front end:

Armadillo's rear end:

Self Portrait:

The scenery while fishing:

The bird kind of whitewashed out because the sun was going down, but it's still a nice idea of the place.

Any Given Saturday the 13th of October 2007 (part2)

It is the Sunshine State, after all.