The Main Library is my favorite place in St. Augustine. The staff is amazing, helpful, pleasant, and if an award is to be given to library staff it is these folks. It’s one of the few things about St. A. I will miss. They treat all with respect and care greatly for the enormous amount of homeless that hunker down in their domain. This winter they even had a box of free blankets for them. One of the many wonderful staff members is pictured above in holiday regalia.

What spirit for the holiday!

After my library visit went to a garden festival at a local farm. When leaving the car a woman asked me to sign her petition to run for office against 5 men. I asked if she was a republican, and she said yes. Then I asked if she will endorse female health care and she stated in a nasty tone, “That ship has sailed,” and she walked away. Sad, as women should stand with other women on this issue, especially for their daughters.

Thought this gal had an interesting store working from her trailer.

And the food was quite tasty from the food trucks. Had a great chicken sandwich from the VFW Food truck. They were retired military and their son was the cashier. What a nice young man graduating from high school and looking to go to technical college. A straight A student as well..

My fare and the gal even substituted coleslaw for fries. Nice touch.

More vendor pictures..

And I found some very healthy African Violets for only $5. each. In another life I grew them from leaves in an aquarium. May do that again. Have been investigating the purchase of a green house for the cabin and still thinking about bee keeping.

Arrived at the hotel at 4 pm, and off to the pool. Met a delightful senior from Wisconsin. and together we chatted while soaking up the sun. Had heard of a free sunset opera at Loew’s Portofino Bay Hotel, and was intrigued. Called and received all the info making my way there after a short jaunt to Dollar Tree. Needed bubble bath for the evening soak.

For a laugh!

Once I arrived at Lowe’s found there was a guest lot with a parking fee of $45.00. Was grateful I had no one behind me so was able to back out before going through the gate. Have to be careful with these sort of fees. Also, florida has the highest volume of toll roads in the nation. At one point in my journey there was a 17 mile trip on a toll road costing seven dollars. Luckily, I found the alternate route button in WAZE and traversed back roads. Saw much of the area and shall we say enjoyed the ride…

For Another Laugh..

Back at the hotel walked International Way and attempted to decide what to eat for dinner. Every type of food imaginable is served on this road. And McDonald’s even serves PIZZA! Finally decided on Taco Bell and the manager gave me a free taco! Guess she didn’t want to make change at the end of the night, but how lovely. From there returned to the hotel, soaked, and read a book.

What a delightful way to end the day.

This boutique hotel is one not to miss. It is located down the street from the Historical Museum. On the day of my visit a wedding was occurring, and it was ablaze in beauty. The hotel is also an art museum with their collection being 600 original modern works. The owners are patrons of the Rollins Museum and some works are from the Rollins students. Rollins College has over 6,000 works of art in their collection.

The Grounds

The Inn is also home to the famous Hamilton Kitchen.

I am told the Hotel gives property tours, call for more information.

The Lobby – here I was able to sit briefly, and have a cold glass of water. What a restful place of beauty with book shelves lined with many art books.

The Art – while the collection is modern, (and not usually a fan), did enjoy taking in some of the works.

Visited the Rollins College Museum of Art – which is a free admission, and beautiful collection. On this day one of the professors gave a tour which was informative and enlightening. In April the Museum has a student collection on display. Here is some of the collection.

Amanda Gorman – poet laureat

A recent addition to their collection.. George Inness Overlook Mountain in the Catskills

And Thomas Cole, Catskill Mountain House.

And lastly some old and new – Madonna and Child from the 14th century, and a modern sculpture box.

Then on the way to Orlando passed through North Mills Avenue.. What a fun place with many murals, restaurants, bars. A great place to get out and stretch the legs.

And another great Orlando place to visit..

50 acres of a botanical oasis as their web site states. It even includes a tropical rain forest. A must see. And oh those lucky brides who have their weddings here!

What a wonderful day. Off to the hotel. See you tomorrow.

Winter Springs is in my opinion is the most beautiful community in florida. Following are some spots to check out should you have the opportunity to visit…

Kraft Azalea Gardens

With the azalea’s in bloom this was an amazing time to visit. Also, there were several other treats as snowy egrets were nesting in the trees, and a rowing competition sponsored by Rollins College was taking place.

Then the rowers..

You can also take a boat ride around the lake of Winter Springs.. https://www.scenicboattours.com/ for more information. Schedule ahead. Another phenomenal experience.

Walk the streets and find homes of every style.

A Cedar Ranch Home

A Colonial Home

A Spanish Home

The Alabama – a former major hotel now a condo community. Winter Park was begun by a man from Chicago wanting to develop tourism in the area. He began with large hotels such as The Alabama, and now this is the only surviving major hotel (now condo) of that era.

A Sprawling Southern Home

A Modern Home

Downtown Winter Park

The Morse Museum of Winter Park is probably one of the best collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany stained glass in the world. Closed Monday, even if you are not a stained glass enthusiast it is worth a visit when in Winter Park.

The Library and Cultural Center of Winter Park is another must see if only to drive by the unique architecture.

And for more on the history of the area and how it all began, The Winter Park Historical Museum, will give you a quick oversight to the area. The gal here gave many insights.

And while there an open market was occurring in the park. Unsure if this occurs every weekend, but easy to find and fun to attend.

Further down the street from the Historical Museum are interesting shops and here I found dark chocolate coconut macrons. Pricey, but you only live once, and can only eat one!

Let’s close with an interesting sign. Always find these so informative, hope you will as well.

Next: The Alfond Hotel

Decided to take a jaunt to stay away from the condo traffic this weekend. In selecting what to do went to Disney first. Thought as a florida resident I would get a “deal.” Tickets on the weekend for a florida resident were $158. Since I am on a budget ruled the mouse out quickly.

Next was my go to, Expedia. While they had some challenges with the Pandemic, they have returned stronger, and found a hotel for approximately $100/night. While only 2 stars I later found upon my visit the mattress was comfortable, room clean, pool functional, and staff friendly, so what more can you ask for?

A google search using key words top 10 free things to do in orlando discovered some great ideas. Then as I planned my route to the big O, recalled how much I enjoyed a visit to Winter Springs, Florida, so that is where this journey began.

Stay tuned as you will want to take this trek as well.

Oh, and by the way, guess who rode with me?

My new Biden car window sticker.

Available from Amazon but think it might be sold out.

Check it out.

In the words of Karen Carpenter, We’ve Only Just Begun…

I’m late in the game commenting on the State of the Union, (gosh almost wrote onion, but it’s 4 am as I write, and the running upstairs has begun), speech. Frankly, I thought it was amazing, and to watch maga mike squirm, and marjorie taylor red, (not a bottle of wine, an ineffective maga rep from ga), to be ignored were the highlights for me. Loved how Joe called out the repubs, he was forceful, smiled, and if only we could make him more agile know he’d have this election wrapped up. Maybe we could give him dancing lessons, or have him do stretching exercises with Miranda Esmonde-White, (Essentrix – try it, it changed my life and will yours).

Available on https://essentrics.com, this powerhouse 70 something gal, former Canadian ballerina’s exercises will change your life.

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The Queen of Digression has once again digressed, time to get back on point…

Listening to what Joe and his folks have accomplished in 3 years is profound by any length of the imagination. How did he do it? Over 50 years of experience, and getting the right people to work with, and do the job, that’s how! I was exhausted just listening, and I am 15 years younger, and known to be quite perky. While 81, he knows his stuff and that only comes with years of wisdom.

While it was sad that the red raiders didn’t applaud but merely sat smugly, let them. They did what they always have, nothing. They led the second least unproductive congress in history. They should be shamed, and will be at election time as WE VOTE.

November is coming and before you know it, it will be here.

America and the world has been watching..

The red wave, I think not, more like the blue sea drowning you!

Update: Joe and Kamala raised beaucoup bucks post State of the Union speech.

george santos, ..

Think the size of the font reflects the ability, and the craziness of this guy to even consider a run again, but then who ever thought trump would win?. And for those non-believers he did ONCE…

In scrolling through the comments related to this santos article, one stuck with me.. The individual said santos would be in jail before he gets to run. And while he only has 13 indictments vs. 91 of the rapist’s, there is a good chance jail time is in the cards for the both of these Bozos as they are certainly clowns.

Which makes me wonder… perhaps we could put save some tax dollars and have these guys share a cell?

It certainly would be a good fit as both are liars and scam artists. And wasn’t santos a financial powerhouse? That along with a Baruch College and New York University graduate, Olympic volley ball player, a Jew whose mom was in 9/11, the lies go on and on.

The more I write the more I see a match made in Heaven.

Think of the chaos they could create – maybe they could do a pod cast from the cell or if santos is a singer join the january 6th choir, or they could teach fellow inmates the art of the deal?

What a perfect combination!

For a laugh..

As I write this I am in orlando, and while I wanted to see Mickey one last time before heading North found my pocket book and the venue not in sync. This is sad as I have a wee bit of Disney stock which quite frankly has been in the toilet for several years, and only recently seen the light of solvency. But when you pay someone to run the place over $119,000/a day the money has to come from somewhere.. And quite frankly my back thanks me as those rides are hell on the back as they toss you at high speeds into hard plastic seats.

Then there is ronnie who screwed the mouse big time. But karma is life, and don’t need to say more.

He got his, and believe me it will continue.

That’s why,

Remember – available on Amazon, he’s looking better each day.

Go Joe and Kamala..

A little commercial advertisement for them.

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Again, I digress, just call me The Big Digressor..

I thought since I was a florida resident I would get a Disney ticket deal but when I clicked on the site found the $99 a day ticket became $158, and since I’d rather put that money in my kitty for the trip North quickly clicked off the site.

There are several free sites in Winter Park, florida, where the ultra rich live so will be visiting them, and report my findings.

Thanks, rich people!

Looking forward to the get away.

Sorry, couldn’t resist, just love the guy!

Remember Amazon $19.99.

..Has Biden loosing to the rapist 43 to 48,

and also loosing the female vote big time. This cannot be possible, why would women increase their vote for a now known convicted RAPIST. And while my cousin, (of which I have 70, and know literally none, only a few names), was married to the guy who started the Siena College poll – recall the First Lady Survey – that was their kick start survey, Let’s shame Siena College…

Bad Siena College!

My Siena College 1970 memories….. picking my St. Rose College, (now almost closed), sister from a Siena College “dance.” Watching as a young girl I saw these drunken Siena College men carried out of the dance/mixer, (and what were they mixing?), puking their brains out as they stumbled from the dance hall.

Oh, St. Francis, Siena is a Franciscan College.. what were your thoughts as you watched from Heaven?.

And the uncatholic church, why did it take me 65 years to leave it?

I finally saw the light of day.

The morning after the dance.

Perhaps these former students are the ones still doing the survey?

If so they are essentially brain dead, and probably millionaire republicans attempting to secure their fortunes because isn’t that what the republican party is all about.

Fear tactics to maintain wealthy people’s wealth.

And have no idea where they located these 980 participants – perhaps American Samoa, or maybe Russia?

Side Note: America Samoa is the only place Biden didn’t win on unsuper tuesday.

SO>>>>> Women to the Rescue…

Because.. their motto,

“When women show up, we win.”

Come Follow Me..

Let’s get the job done..

Elect Joe and Kamala.

https://www.womenforbidenharris.com/

Sign up do your part for Joe and Kamala.