The art of peace

"Know that we all have access to four treasures:
the energy of the sun and moon,
the breath of heaven,
the breath of earth,
and the ebb and flow of the tide."

The Art of Peace (#11) -
Morihei Ueshiba

Just clouds

What a glorious sunrise!



My favorite days are those with scattered clouds. Sometimes the sunrise bathes the Gulf in shimmering gold like this and at other times it sets the water on fire with shades of crimson.

This morning there were about 20 surfers already out in the line in their fullsuits, watching the sunrise and waiting for a wave! Oh for a telephoto lens to catch some action shots for you.




Beautiful cloud formations which we frequently see here on the island.

Ft. Pickens hike

What started out as a short walk into Ft. Pickens for a few photographs last week turned into a five hour hike. Heading west toward the fort, I suddenly had a desire to walk until all other footprints fell away. Though woefully unprepared, I did have the essentials: my cell phone, my camera, a bottle of water, and lip gloss.

About four miles inside the park I came upon the ranger station. As you can see, I was able to stand there and see nothing but sand stretching over the old road bed, nary a footprint in sight, just a few ghostly tracks.

It was a unique experience to stand there alone, no sound but the wind and the surf.




Remnants of Ft. Pickens Road.

Gray day

It's raining, it's pouring
the pee pup is snoring.
Curl up in bed, all sleepy-heads,
cause we can't go out this morning.

Red dawn

A spectacular sunrise over the Gulf this morning.

Thanksgiving at the beach

My first Thanksgiving at the beach!

"Nothing is as real as a dream. The world can change around you, but your dream will not. Responsibilities need not erase it. Duties need not obscure it. Because the dream is within you, no one can take it away."

-- unknown

No fishing from pier

The sign says "No fishing from pier," but this fisherman can't resist checking out the possibilities.

Splash!

I love it when I catch a wave-splash!

Irish jellyfish

Come on, everybody, sing along!!!

Oh, I'm looking over a four-leaf jelly
that I overstepped before.
One leaf is sunshine, the second is rain,
Third is the jellies that grow in the bay.
No need explaining, the one here remaining
Is something that I abhor
Oh, I'm looking over a four-leaf jelly
that I overstepped before.

(Apologies to the late Mort Dixon)

The changing sea

"I ’m on the sea! I ’m on the sea!
I am where I would ever be,
With the blue above and the blue below,
And silence wheresoe’er I go. "

- Barry (Bryan W. Procter) Cornwall (1787 - 1874)

The double rainbow

Without a doubt, this is the most incredible sight I've witnessed since moving to Pensacola Beach. The fog and rain, which moved in earlier today, lifted momentarily and the sun came through just enough to set the island aglow.

I ran for my camera as a rainbow suddenly grew out of the Sound, arched the island, and ended on the beach below me. I watched in awe as an exquisite double rainbow began to form, then realized I was standing there, mouth agape, camera at my side, nearly missing a change to capture it.

Slowly the sun faded and the rainbow lifted from both sides, back into the sky, like the end of a shimmering, magical hologram .

Soundside Sunday

The high winds out of the north that we experienced for several days have finally calmed. The Sound is smooth as glass and the water is crystal clear.


Although there are times when I know a shot is pretty good, there are others when it definitely does not translate from what I see in my mind's eye. This photo was meant to show the viewer a close-up of delicate grasses in crystal clear water of the Sound. Unfortunately the final effect looks more like the back of an Italian guy my former roommate dated several years ago.

A day in the city

If you can tear yourself away from the island -- and I know it's difficult -- try a leisurely walk through downtown Pensacola. Palafox Street is lined with charming little shops and galleries and restaurants. The Christmas decorations are up now and not to be missed.



The architecture in downtown Pensacola is incredible. Even more incredible is that this was once the tallest building in the state of Florida!



As a matter of fact, I am.

I have discovered many wonderful details about Pensacola by simply looking up or looking down. You never know what you may be passing by when you look straight ahead. See if you can find this artful tilework the next time you stroll down Palafox.



Don't miss the opportunity to visit downtown Pensacola during Winterfest! The opening weekend is November 25 and 26.

http://www.pensacolawinterfest.org/

"The annual Winterfest Celebration is a series of interactive performances along a 2½ mile route in downtown Pensacola, Florida. The idyllic small town setting encompasses a historic residential neighborhood and downtown storefronts along Palafox Place.

Winterfest provides unique experiences for people of all ages. The area comes to life with entertainment provided by residents and business owners and beautiful downtown Pensacola becomes a stage for Winterfest during the holiday season. Organizers for this year's holiday trolley tours in Pensacola, Florida are well on their way to establishing one of the nation's premier holiday events showcasing the scale of a small town atmosphere by using the historic downtown streets as a setting for interactive performances from classic movies. Trolleys act as theaters taking passengers to performances at eleven locations where dozens of local residents bring to life favorite characters of the season.

The overall theme of Winterfest deals with holiday subjects celebrated in our popular cultural heritage, commonly expressed in literature, songs, movies and shared traditions. The focus for the theme is taken from the Frank Capra movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" which will be staged as a movie set on the porch of a Victorian home in Pensacola's Historic Village. Other holiday classics, such as "The Grinch" will be reenacted in similar fashion using historic buildings of the period as backdrops for the action. Cartoon characters are included in the holiday fun. Frosty and Rudolph board each trolley and lead the passengers in song."


Stroll along Palafox and enjoy the Christmas displays.


An elegant fountain in Plaza Ferdinand is still under repair.


On the south side of Plaza Ferdinand stands a monument to Andrew Jackson. This is the site where he formally accepted Florida into the United States in 1821 and was sworn in as territorial governor of Florida.

During the mid-1700's, the British ruled Florida and divided it into East and West Florida, separated by the Apalachicola River. St. Augustine was the capital of East Florida; Pensacola was the capital of West Florida.

Palm trees and proverbs

"It is good to know the truth, but it is better to speak of palm trees. "

-- Arab Proverb


Huh????

Wind from the north

Strong winds from the north create white caps in the Sound.




Sound-side surf

The cold front moving through

"Hello, Victoria's Secret? Can I put in a rush order for flannel PJ's? Great! I'll take the w25- pink zebra. Better throw in the matching slippers!"

-- barrier island girl

Checkin' out The Oar House

I discovered a great little place in Pensacola! It's called The Oar House on Bayou Chico - "The Friendly Place with the Big Deck."

The Oar House is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. 'til closing. Happy hour is from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. They have great grouper sandwiches which may be ordered blackened, fried or grilled. It's a nice place to kick back - on the big deck - while watching a sunset or boats as they go in and out of the marina.


Brother, can you spare a dime?



Darn! I was too late, overdressed and uptight!


Hey, I found Pelican #32! Now where are the other 31?

Strolling through the marina

Double vision

Rainy days

It has been so long since we had rain that I had trouble finding my poncho. Not that it does much good when the wind is gusting 15 - 20 mph. These kind of days produce snap 'n run photos!

I discovered one old saying to be true: A rainy day at the beach is better than a sunny day at the office!!

November sky

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy. "

–Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl

Pensacola Greek Fest 2005

You still have the opportunity to visit the 46th Annual Greek Fest. It runs until 10:00 p.m. tonight and from 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Live Greek music is provided by the Athenians from Pensacola/Daytona. Dancing by HARA/Glentzethes tomorrow at 1:30 p.m; 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.

A wide selection of Greek food is available, from roast leg of lamb to Amaretto flavored baklava.


Gorgeous entrance.


The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church is located at 1720 W. Garden Street in Pensacola, Florida. One of the unexpected pleasures upon attending the festival today was the opportunity to tour the sanctuary and view their beautiful iconography and strained glass windows. The windows alone are worth the trip. You may check out their website at www.annunciationgoc.org.


Greek linedancing!


Baaaa'd luck


Pita, pita, gyro eater.


Smile and the world smiles with you.

East of Eden

Santa Rosa Sound is so lovely on days like today. This shot captures the east side of Range Point. In the distance you can see Gulf Breeze and even one small ribbon of Escambia Bay.

Peaceful afternoon

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair."

-- Kahlil Gibran

Driftwood

"... we are as frail as young trees in tornadoes, and our beloved homes are one flood away from driftwood...we will not win, but we cannot give up. "

- Robert McCammon

Market view

Did I mention that the greatest thing about attending all the festivals, concerts, and special events in Pensacola is coming home to this beautiful island? As I returned from the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival in Seville Square this afternoon, I stopped at the Market on the Island. This is the incredible view I saw -- that I see each and every time I go to the market. How lucky can islanders be?

Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival - Sunday

End of the weekend for me was a concert by the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. I couldn't believe they managed to get 61 musicians on this stage! What a lovely way to end the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival. Have I told you happy I am to live here?


Green light! A break in the crowd! Whew!


My favorite art was presented by Michael Bryant from Atlanta, Georgia. His sepia-tone photographs were beautiful. You may check out his galleries at www.michael-bryant.com


I enjoyed the unusual porcelain sculpture of Bruce Gleitsman from Corralitos, CA.


Art is so subjective, a true case of beauty is in eye of the beholder. My motto is: If you like it, it's good.