What's On Your April Calendar?

Yippee!  April is only a few days away.  I turned the page in my journal/datebook, taped April's calendar page right where I wanted it and added the birthdays I always remember at this time of the year.

 

When I catch myself doing a foolish thing, I like to share my embarrassment with whoever's near.  Why not share silliness enthusiastically?  Laughter is the best medicine and works wonders in glamourizing foolishness. 

Coincidentally, April kicks off with April Fools' Day.  Hey, how about that!  We're given specific instruction to be fools and of course, we'll do it with great enthusiasm.   

 

My niece, Beth, will celebrate her day on April 2nd.  My friend, Don, will kick up his heels on the 22nd.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BOTH OF YOU!


Easter is on the 24th of April.  What plans do you have for that day?

I'd love to hear about any plans you might have for the month of April.

The Mote Aquarium, Sarasota, FL

 Lon, Jared and I visited the Mote Aquarium in Sarasota, FL on March 20th, the day before we came back to Wisconsin.

Lon and Jared both have aquariums of their own.  Needless to say, this visit was right up their alley.  Jared has a wealth of knowledge regarding starting up and maintaining home aquariums.  He gifted Lon with the one he presently enjoys.

Whether you have an avid interest or not, I can't imagine anyone not enjoying a visit to view the splendors of the underwater world.

These orange and white swimmers are clown fish.  The variety of live plants around them provide an awesome environment. 

Can you imagine walking on stilts day in and day out?

Picking out this creature is a bit challenging.  Do you see the mouth and the big ball eyes above it?  This fellow creeped me out!

Mysterious-looking is my adjective for this.

Too many appendages to keep track of, don't you think?

What big and woeful eyes you have!

Around and around and around they go...

...dragging their tails behind them.



These come wrapped in aluminum foil, ready for baking.  I didn't mention that to them though.



Part of a hammerhead shark.

A pack of serious-looking Jack fish.

They meant business and had places to go and important things to do.

It's crazy to be so close to these monsters and yet so safe.

This closeup photo is taken of part of a preserved squid.

Here's another preserved squid.

This pair of Lion fish are dressed for some grand gala event.  I felt like a slob next to them in my blue jeans.

If you were as big as this manatee, you'd eat an entire head of lettuce in one gulp too!

That's all folks!  These are my favorite photos taken at the Mote Aquarium.  I hope you enjoyed them.  

(See my previous post for photos of a famous sculpture which replicates a world-renowned post World War II photograph).   

Sarasota's World-Famous Sculpture

We've driven past this sculpture many times over the years since we've been vacationing on Siesta Key.  Finally, I took the time to photograph it.

Perhaps you're familiar with the photograph this sculpture replicates.  The joy of this couple when World War II ended is especially poignant in this much larger than life sculpture that towers high overhead along a Sarasota highway.

Don't you just love all that this sculpture says about the importance of love when war wages?  

(You can click twice on the sign to enlarge it.  Let me know if that doesn't work for you and I'll rewrite the words on it for you on another post).

Fishing in the Gulf



Jared fishing in the Gulf of Mexico


My son, Jared, loves to fish.  He spent a few hours every day fishing while we were in Florida.  His luck has been better previous years, but he continued to plug away regularly this trip.  In Venice, FL, there's a wonderful fishing pier.  Jared spent some time there this year but the fish weren't biting and fishermen were scarce.

Jared had his best luck this year beyond the wall on Crescent Beach on Siesta Key.  He caught a few lady fish and a puffer, enough to keep him interested.

A pretty good sized stingray came completely up out of the water not far from where he was standing with his pole one afternoon.  Talk about an adrenaline rush!  That's the kind of experience that keeps Jared fishing.  He's also been close to sharks in the gulf waters.

Jared often stands on rocks or on the shore rather than in the water.  This picture is taken where the water doesn't get deep until far from the shore.    



Follow Us On Friday

Early Friday on our way to view the beach.

We aren't the only ones out this morning.

Yup, the gulf's still there.  See it above the fence?



The bright sun made it hard to look toward the camera.  Everyone wants coffee when they see us with ours.



The walk down the stairs and past the pool plum tuckered me out.

Lon sits with his cup with his feet in the wonderful Crescent Beach sand.

Looking north toward the public beach.

Footprints in the sand on the freshly combed beach.

I love Florida's "wild life."

I wasn't expecting this little fellow to hop along beside us.

After verifying the gulf was still where it belonged, Lon cooked up some sausage for our breakfast sandwiches.



Looking south on Crescent Beach.  The sand is as fine as flour, cool on the feet and soft to walk on. 



A Taste of Wednesday

Sunset in Venice, FL from Sharkey's Restaurant and Pier

A view of the pier as the sun drops lower yet.



A little critter at the condo. 



The same gecko up close.  If he keeps growing, I'd love to wrestle with him next year.

What can I say?  Being on vacation has me fading away. 

...same as up above...

Shaddy's back in clear focus.  Oh sure, it's time for dinner!!!



Excuse the disorder of the photos.  Heck, I'm on vacation...and only half-cocked.  Life is good anyway, right?