Name that wildflower

Nature sleuths, get out your wildflower books and online links! Please help me identify this wildflower.

I originally discovered several of them last month around Range Point, but last week I was excited to find one blooming out of a clump of the sea oats which surround my house. If you click on the photo above it will enlarge and you can see the exquisite detail in the center of the bloom on the right.

I believe the flower may be Centuary, but I can find no photos of Centuary with a center such as these.

[Update: I knew my fabulous blog visitors would come through for me! Thank you so much, Anne. The name of the wildflower is Slender Rose Gentian. I can sleep peacefully tonight with this mystery solved.]

Just another day in paradise

"...Well, it's okay, it's so nice,
It's just another day in paradise.
Well, there's no place
That I'd rather be.

Well, it's two hearts
and one dream,
I wouldn't trade it for anything.
And I ask the Lord every night
For just another day in Paradise..."

~~ Lyrics by Phil Vassar

Oleander

"Flowers are the sweetest things that God ever made and forgot to put a soul into."

~~Henry Ward Beecher

Augers

Look at these little guys! The shells are in the Auger family, but I don't know their precise name.

The other thing I don't know is whether these are the critters that are supposed to live in the shell or if they are some type of body-snatchers....oops, I mean shell-snatchers. Something tells me they are an invader.

Right now you can walk out to a sandbar in the Gulf and scoop them up by the handful. If you put them in a bucket of saltwater, you'll swear they are trying out for the WWE! The tiny creatures are not amiable at all. Then again, I'd probably be fighting mad if someone scooped me out of my home and dropped me in a bucket with a bunch of other ill-tempered strangers.

What a beautiful day!

Just look at that sky...the sand...the water...just beautiful!


Nice gentle waves that are high enough to surf and beautiful to watch.

Evenings in Olde Seville Square

There was a large turn-out last night for Evenings in Olde Seville Square. The featured band was Reunion and they did a fantastic salute to the Sixties!


Waiting for the music to start...


The playground is already full...


You still have time to grab a 'dog.


Papa brings his tiny princess to dance...


And the pretty babies start clapping their hands...


Twirl your partner...


Or twirl yourself...it's FUN!


Now see, there was still a spot for you last night, right next to this table!



And don't say you're too old to enjoy the music!


And don't say you can't find a dance partner!


This guy can rock it!


And so can she!

See you next week at Evenings in Olde Seville Square!

Lester & Lucy

Lester & Lucy sailed by me...


S-w-i-m'-i-n-g...


First came love...


Then swan-marriage...


Now they're looking for a baby carriage.

[Editor's note: Follow the links above to learn more about Mute Swans.]

Bands on the Beach!

Last night we were finally able to enjoy Bands on the Beach again. Due to storms, it had been three weeks since our last one!


Early arrivals started streaming in and finding their favorite spot to listen to the concert. I can't post a panaramic photo of Casino Beach on my blog, but if you picture the photo above to your left...


And this photo on your right, you will see part of the reason we all enjoy Bands on the Beach so much. There isn't a prettier concert venue around. It even provides an ocean breeze to keep you cool.


Last night concert's was provided by Civilized Natives, a high-energy rock band. The little girl wasn't part of the band, but just a tiny, enthusiastic fan...maybe even a diva-in-training!


And if you can't dance, you can still enjoy the music and a picnic...


or the local beauties on the beach...


and sweet, smiling faces who enjoy the music...


and making memories. Hmmmm...wonder what she's taking a photo of there....


Could it be the great view she had????


Everyone loves to dance...


Seniors...


Parents and children...


There is room for everyone!


Fun is Bands on the Beach!!!

See you next Tuesday night!

Pensacola Beach is...

The waves and the water have been so beautiful in the past few weeks. Standing at this spot yesterday, I realized that even after being a full-time resident for about two years I am still in awe of living in such a special place.

No matter where you go in life, you can generally find fault in the towns or the people -- if you choose to look at life negatively. But rarely do you find a place like Pensacola Beach where you can walk or drive a mile or so and see this incredible view, the sugar white sand, sapphire and emerald water, and solitude to meditate, read, or just relax.

Pensacola Beach is the home of people with big hearts and kind souls. It's my kind of town. It's my paradise.

I Will Survive!

[This song is dedicated to all the grandparents, step-parents, aunts and uncles in the world. My apology to the fabulous Gloria Gaynor and her great song, "I Will Survive." You may use this link to her original lyrics or sing karaoke with my parody]

I Will Survive
(a visit to the Water Park)

First I was afraid, I was petrified
A visit to the water park with children by my side
And I spent so many nights thinking how it could go wrong
But I grew strong, when Papa said he’d come along.

And so we packed: high SPFs, our bathing suits, some floaties,
Got our sunhats off the shelf.
I should have held my head up high, I should have laughed aloud with glee
If I had known for just one second how much fun this day would be.

Come on, let’s go! Walk out the door!
No turning ‘round now ‘cause you know that I am shaking to the core.
Weren’t you the one who thought this up and said the day would be so cool
Did you think that I would crumble when we reached the kiddie pool?

Oh no, not I -- I will survive!
I’ll even float the Lazy River, try the alligator slide.
I’ve got all my life to live and a lot of love to give
So I’ll survive! I will survive! Hey, hey.

It took all my strength not to fall apart
Until the very moment when we reached the water park
And then I splished, and then I splashed and then I fell right on my a**
But I survived, oh I survived! Yeah, yeah!

And you see me, somebody new,
I’m not that chained up little person so afraid to act a fool
Now there’s a floatie with my name and I will never be the same,
I survived! Oh I survived! Hey, Hey!

~~ Barrier Island Girl

Stormy weather

Storms moved into the area yesterday and began clearing out this morning. Sunny weather is straight ahead!

Mandevilla

I'd forgotten how beautiful mandevilla can be until I saw some on my walk through Calle Hermosa.

One of my favorite flowering shrubs is the gardenia, but unfortunately through experience I've discovered they are not very salt-tolerant. These mandevilla are thriving and, though not fragrant as gardenias, the blossoms are just as exquisite.

Wanderings

There are times I head to the beach to capture images of a day in paradise, only to be distracted. Yesterday I noticed a dragonfly...which drew me to a clump of sea oats on a large sand dune across the street... which drew me on to a beautifully landscaped yard next door...which drew me on down the street around the corner to a piece of driftwood...which drew me on down the street to totem pole of a pirate...which drew me on down the street to a boy on a gargoyle??? Yes, I do believe it is a gargoyle.

A home in Calle Hermosa had this lovely (possibly non-working) fountain in the front yard. I absolutely fell in love with it. Look at the incredible life-like expression on the boy's face. Oh to have a piece of art like this, but at least I know it is close by to appreciate.

Isn't life an adventure? You never know what is around the next corner.

A rambling fancy

"One cannot fix one's eyes on the commonest natural production without finding food for a rambling fancy."

~~Jane Austen (1775 - 1817)

Reflect

"Reflect upon your present blessings - of which every man has many - not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."

~~ Charles Dickens

Evenings in Olde Seville Square

I just love Thursdays in Pensacola during the summer months because it's the time for Evenings in Olde Seville Square. It's a tradition many area families enjoy. Last night we were treated to Clark and Company. Next week will be the sounds of Joe Occhipinti's Big Band which is sure to bring out the Swing Kids, and if you've never seen these young people dance, you must come watch them.


Don't you just love the cute 'screensaver' for hors d'oeuvres on this little table?


All Evening in Olde Seville Square concerts are free, but you may sign up to become a member. Membership includes three issues of the club newsletter and weekly prize drawings which include Dinner in the Square or a bottle of fine wine. The table above was set for the special person (and three of their friends or family) whose name would be drawn for last night's Dinner in the Square. Various local restaurants take turns supplying this scrumpuliscious prize. I believe next week's dinner will be hosted by Eat!


For those who prefer a more casual dinner, a simple blanket and a picnic basket of goodies will do.


This lady must be a Martha Stewart fan! Can you believe her fabulous table setting?


Ahhhh...papa is dancing with his little princess.


And this pretty baby is just waiting for a dance partner.


Taking a photo of someone taking a photo of another great family evening in the Square.

Sweet summer days

Not to worry, Pensacola Beach was not invaded by a small vampire. It's just a little boy enjoying sweet cherries on a beautiful summer day at the beach.