Christmas Lights

I have been taking a break for the past week or so because of being sick and then the holiday rush, but I am popping in today to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. This is a picture of the annual holiday light display at Dorothy Oven Park. I am spending time with my family this week and next, so I won't be back to blogging until the new year.

Weekend Reflections

I took this photo from the same window on the 13th floor of the DoubleTree Hotel downtown as the one I posted on Friday. This is the Highpoint Center office building next door. Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Sorry I haven't been visiting and commenting on your blogs, but I seem to have caught a cold from my grandson and I have been living on cold medicine all weekend. I hoping I can get over it soon so I can do some Christmas shopping!

SkyWatch Friday

I took this picture looking south from the 13th floor of the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Tallahassee at sunset. In the center of the picture is the 22 story Florida Capitol, often referred to as the "new" capitol, even though it was completed in 1977. The small dome in front of it is the House of Representatives office building. Not visible on the other side of the tower is an identical domed building serving as the Senate office building. The historic old Florida Capitol can be seen directly to the left of the tower with the flags on top. It has been restored to its original 1902 appearance and serves as a museum and tourist attraction. The brick building in the foreground is a downtown office building. The Gulf of Mexico lies about 22 miles directly south of where I took this photo. On the street below, the Tallahassee Winter Festival is going on, which is where I took the picture I posted on Monday here. Linking to SkyWatch Friday.

Note that the flags on the old Capitol are flying at half staff in honor of Leon County Deputy Christopher Smith, who was shot and killed in the line of duty the Saturday before Thanksgiving by someone who set his own house on fire and then ambushed Deputy Smith when he was the first to respond. The shooter then proceeded to walk down the street and fire at police and firefighters until he was killed by an off duty police officer who lived nearby. This incident happened in my own neighborhood on a quiet Saturday morning. I was sitting in my living room and heard all the gunshots and sirens. Very scary!

Good Fences

This fence seems to be in need of a few repairs, but the ducks at Lake Ella don't seem to mind. Linking to Good Fences.

signs, signs

I think they mean it, so watch out. Linking with signs, signs.

Winter Festival

One of the more popular food vendors at the Tallahassee Winter Festival this past weekend. Who can resist handmade candy canes, root beer floats or hand dipped ice cream, especially when it is served from a converted school bus! This particular vendor is Lofty Pursuits and you can view their website here.

Sorry lady, but this table is taken

I found this photo in my archives and I have to admit it was not taken in Tallahassee. I took it when I was visiting family in Austin, Texas a couple of months ago. We had stopped for lunch at Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q and this little bird was guarding someone's leftover tray at one of the outdoor tables. I had forgotten that I took the picture and couldn't resist posting it. The bird was being very protective of its lunch, so I was able to get really close for the picture. I have no idea what kind of bird this is, so if you know please tell me in the comments. Because the wood table is so shiny and there are a few reflections, I am linking up with Weekend Reflections.

SkyWatch Friday

I never get tired of seeing these beautiful deep blue fall skies. Even though we do have some fall foliage here in north Florida, the palms and pines stay green all year. That is the Florida Department of Transportation headquarters building in the background. Linking to SkyWatch Friday.

Looking through to the other side

This stone wall runs along the street next to the sidewalk by Cascades Park. I like the way they placed windows in the wall so you can get a view of the park as you walk by. I guess the bars are there to keep people from climbing through. It's not quite a fence, but it serves the same purpose, so I'm linking up with Good Fences.

Prime Meridian Marker

The Prime Meridian Marker is located in Cascades Park near downtown Tallahassee and is the beginning of all private property descriptions in the state of Florida. The marker is the point at which the meridian parallel and the baseline parallel intersect and creates the starting point for Florida's survey system, which began under the direction of President Thomas Jefferson. The point was set in 1824 by acting Governor George Walton. You can see the location of the marker sitting on a giant map of the state of Florida in the second picture (black arrow). Linking to signs, signs.

Potting Bench

I spotted this old potting bench outside an antique store. The green paper says the price is $275. I don't think I wanted it enough to pay that price, but it is nice. Sorry for not posting and commenting last week. I had family visiting for Thanksgiving and got to spend some fun time with all three of my grandchildren. Linking to Rubbish Tuesday.

Weekend Reflections

I know I posted a picture of this same egret earlier in the week, but this shot seemed so perfect for Weekend Reflections, that I couldn't resist. He seems to be admiring his reflection, but he really has his eye on a tasty snack in the water.

SkyWatch Friday

This lamp post light had just come on as the sun was going down. Linking to SkyWatch Friday.

I have added the second picture to this post today because you may have heard about the horrific events that unfolded yesterday morning on the campus of my beloved alma mater, Florida State University. I am thankful to the FSU Police Department and the Tallahassee Police Department for their quick response and courageous actions that prevented this tragedy from becoming much, much worse than it was.

Great Egret

Stopping to pose for me while looking for some dinner at the edge of Lake Ella. Linking to Wild Birds.

Rusty Bench

This beautiful old bench was for sale outside an antique shop. Linking to Rubbish Tuesday.

Everyone gets thirsty

This fountain located in Cascades Park accommodates adults, kids, and pets. I love the little plaque in front of it.

Weekend Reflections

Blue sky reflected among the lily pads. Linking to Weekend Reflections.

SkyWatch Friday

Autumn sky and the flag framed by palm trees at Cascades Park. Linking to SkyWatch Friday.

French WWII Monument

I had originally planned another post for today, but when I saw Ciel's post over at Versailles Daily Photo yesterday, I changed my mind. As you can see, the markers are quite similar. This one is located near the American Legion Post at Lake Ella. The monument was given to the citizens of Florida from the people of France in 1949 as an expression of gratitude. Following the Allied victory over Germany in 1945, and gifts of food to French citizens by generous Americans in 1948, the French responded with forty-nine rail cars of gifts, one for each state and Washington, D.C. This monument, actually a marker from “Liberty Way” road, was included in the Florida car received on February 11, 1949, by then Florida Governor Fuller Warren. Inscribed on one side of the monument is “MERCI aux Soldats et au Peuple Américains.” The last time I saw this monument, it was plain pink concrete and not that noticeable. It looks to have been recently painted in these bright colors, so now it really stands out.

signs, signs

Since I don't have an electric vehicle to charge, I had to park in a regular spot. Linking to signs, signs.

Veterans Day

Today is Veterans Day here in the U.S. and I am proud to say that my father served in the United States Navy during World War II. I still have his 1944 edition of The Bluejackets' Manual and the Servicemen's World War Map he carried with him during his service.

Get on the bus

This bus makes it easy to give blood. More info right here.

SkyWatch Friday

To see more gorgeous skies from around the world, don't miss SkyWatch Friday.

Good Fences

I'm not sure whether that building is occupied or not, but the fence looks like it is meant to keep people from using the sidewalk and steps leading up to it. Linking to Good Fences.

signs, signs

So many choices to make! This sign is located on the edge of Cascades Park near downtown. Linking to signs, signs.

Rubbish Tuesday

Old Primitive Baptist church building north of Tallahassee. There is a newer version next door. Notice the cemetery in the back. Linking to Rubbish Tuesday.

Korean War Memorial

The Florida Korean War Memorial is located near downtown. Dedicated on December 11, 1999, it is a large semi-circle representing the "Circle of Life". The break at the top of the circle signifies the war's interruption. The broken part of the circle sits on the ground behind it with the names of veterans from Florida who lost their lives in the war inscribed on the inside. For a more complete description of this memorial, go here.

City Daily Photo Theme Day: Landmark

The biggest landmark in Tallahassee is the historic old Florida Capitol building. I took this picture of the dome just as the sun was setting behind it. The first day of the month is Theme Day in the City Daily Photo community. To see other interpretations of this theme from all over the world visit our Theme Day page here.

Happy Halloween

I took this picture at the airport a couple of weeks ago while I was waiting for my flight to depart. I think this guy's luck may have run out while waiting to win the lottery.

A black bird and a broom

They make a cute and simple Halloween decoration, don't you think? I took this picture inside one of the old shops in Havana while I was enjoying the Pumpkin Festival.

signs, signs

Cute sign seen in the street during the Pumpkin Festival. Linking to signs, signs.

Hot Dog Hat

One of the vendors at the Havana Pumpkin Festival. I couldn't resist taking this picture because of his hat.

Weekend Reflections

Every October I like to attend the annual Pumpkin Festival which is held in the small town of Havana (Florida, not Cuba) just a few miles north of Tallahassee. There are quite a few interesting shops and restaurants there and this shop is called The Wanderings. You can see a bounce house that was set up in the street in front reflected in the window. Linking to Weekend Reflections.

SkyWatch Friday

The sky could not have been more perfect on the day I toured the Texas State Capitol in Austin last week. That is the Goddess of Liberty statue standing on top of the dome and is actually a replica placed there in 1986. The original 1888 Goddess of Liberty statue was taken down, restored and moved to the Bullock State History Museum. I'll probably be returning to local pictures this weekend. Linking to SkyWatch Friday.

Texas Longhorn and friends

This is another picture I took last week when I was visiting family in Austin, Texas. They live in one of the small towns just north of the city and this handsome fellow posing for me is one of their neighbors. That is a donkey in the pasture directly behind him. Believe it or not, that other animal in the middle on the far right and almost out of the picture is a zebra. You may have to click on the picture to enlarge it for a better look. My sister and I had stopped on the side of the road so I could get a picture, but the cow was so preoccupied with grazing that he would not look up. My sister decided to bust out with a loud "moo" and he looked up just as I snapped the picture. It was pretty funny, but I guess you had to be there. Linking this post to Good Fences.

signs, signs

I'm still showing pictures from my visit to Austin, Texas last week. The Texas Chili Parlor is located within walking distance of the state capitol building, which we had just finished touring when we stopped here for a late lunch. The food was fabulous and so was the atmosphere. I also bought one of their cool t-shirts. I liked their sign too, so I'm linking up with signs, signs.

Another one of Scarlett's dresses from Gone With The Wind

Yesterday I promised to show another picture I took of a dress worn by Vivien Leigh in the movie Gone With The Wind from the exhibition currently on display at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas in Austin. This dress was worn in one of the final scenes of the movie when Scarlett attended Ashley's birthday party. You can't tell from looking at the picture, but Vivien Leigh must have been very tiny to fit into this dress because it is really quite small. This dress is definitely not rubbish, but it is old and pristine and quite vintage so I am linking it to Rubbish Tuesday.

Scarlett's "curtain dress" from Gone With The Wind

I spent most of last week visiting family who recently moved to Austin, Texas and I had a wonderful time! One of the highlights of my trip was visiting the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas where they are currently showcasing an exhibition featuring items from the Center's own collection entitled "The Making of Gone With The Wind" in honor of the film's 75th anniversary. I took this picture of the original dress worn in the 1939 movie by Vivien Leigh as Scarlett O'Hara. In the storyline of the movie, Scarlett fashioned the dress out of her mother's old curtains because she had no money for clothes. She wore the dress in the stable scene of the movie where she visited Rhett Butler (played by Clark Gable) in Atlanta to try and talk him into giving her the money to pay the taxes on her plantation after the Civil War. That's why it is referred to as the "curtain dress". There was also a famous parody sketch done by Carol Burnett on her comedy show many years ago, where she wore a similar dress, but left the curtain rod in at her shoulders and I can't see this dress without thinking about that show because it was so hilarious. You can find out more about this wonderful exhibition and the Harry Ransom Center by visiting their website here. I will show another dress worn by Vivien Leigh in the movie tomorrow.

Sand Play

A nice place for the kids to play in the sand at Cascades Park. I will be taking a short break from my blog this week to spend time with family. Be back soon!

Weekend Reflections

The manmade waterfall at Cascades Park. Linking to Weekend Reflections.

SkyWatch Friday

Deep blue skies on a cool fall day can be seen behind the entrance to the Discovery Playscape for kids at Cascades Park near downtown. Linking with SkyWatch Friday.

Great Seal

The Florida Department of Transportation headquarters is a rather plain looking building just down the road from the Florida Capitol. The prettiest part of the building is the Great Seal of the State of Florida over the main entrance.

Signs, signs all in a row

These signs are lined up next to the Imagination Fountain at Cascades Park near downtown. Linking with signs, signs.