Stillness

Peaceful Sunday on the golf course.

"To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment."
~Jane Austen

GQ

Village on Venetian Bay, Naples

Since I've already touched on the subjects of shopping and fashion for the ladies, in the name of gender equality, I dedicate this post to my male visitors.

According to the latest fashion magazines for men, these days belts are optional when wearing a suit. In fact, many say you should always forgo the belt when wearing a modern two-button suit. If you decide to wear a belt, make sure it is leather and matches your shoes. The buckle should be the same color metal as your cufflinks and watch, either silver or gold.

So there. I've done my good deed for the day. Just don't blame me when you lose your pants - I'm just the messenger here ;-)

Waterways

Mangrove estuaries of Florida

"Rivers are roads that move and carry us whither we wish to go."

[French original: Les rivieres sont des chemins qui marchant et qui portent ou l'on veut aller.]
Blaise Pascal

The question is: where do you wish to go?

Metamorphosis

"The woods are lovely,
dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep."

Robert Frost

Many of you expressed dismay at how empty the pools are in my community. Well, this shows more of the same - our private beach at Hickory Island is deserted as well.

No, it's not for the hot weather (there are nice breezes coming off the Gulf of Mexico), or the mosquitoes (naturally controlled in our area) that most of Naples empties out for the summer .

The reason is quite simple - about 70% of the homes in my community are vacation homes, used only for a few months a year. Now it's time to make the trek back north, to our family, friends, work, school...

I've been already spending more time in Michigan than in Naples lately. There are also time-consuming personal commitments to fulfill. I will continue posting on NDP when time allows, but it will not be every day. I hope you'll visit, whenever you think of me and miss the Florida sunshine ;-). I know I will miss you!

Forsaken

This pool (one of many in my community) is representative of the summers in Naples - sunny, wet and...deserted ;-)

Wish you were here!

The Big House

This is the Municipal Jail of Naples. Notice the guard tower?

All the hard-core criminals - those that mispronounce "bruschetta", drink white wine with beef bourguignon or wear black socks with shorts - serve their time here.

So be forewarned: unless you drive a Lexus on your visit to Naples, you could end up here as well ;-)

Gotta believe!

(This one's for Nikon)

"Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all."

- Emily Dickenson

Quiz Tuesday part 31

Old habits die hard...so here is one more quiz ;-)

This tree, which technically is not a tree at all, produces one of the most popular foods on earth.

Today's question: what kind of (not a) tree is it?

Ahoy mateys!

Ft Myers beach

Stop ye whining ye yellow bellied, lily-livered landlubbers! If you are itching for some seafaring adventure, I give you Captain Paul.

Here's an old dog of the seas, ready and willing to take you on his private yacht for an afternoon of unforgettable fun!

I must say though, for all this pirate attire, he doesn't look too intimidating...And shouldn't he be chewing tobacco, instead of an ice-cream cone ;-)

Shipwrecked!

Big Hickory Island beach (can you spot red-clad Robinson on the faraway island?)

"SEPTEMBER 30, 1659. - I, poor miserable Robinson Crusoe, being shipwrecked during a dreadful storm in the offing, came on shore on this dismal, unfortunate island, which I called "The Island of Despair"; all the rest of the ship's company being drowned, and myself almost dead." Daniel Defoe

Doesn't that just make you want to pick up a copy of Robinson Crusoe again and relive his adventures?

Good weekend...and good reading!

Big gulp

Coconut Point mall, Bonita Springs

Getting back to the subject of the obesity epidemic in the States...

Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi distributors agreed to halt nearly all soda sales to public schools by the year 2009! According to the plan, the schools will only sell water, diet soda, unsweetened juice and sport drinks, as well as fat-free and low-fat milk.

Just this one policy can add years to the lives of 35 million young people!

Reckless endangerment

In the course of a lifetime, we must pass numerous tests: to make the grade, to get a job, to obtain a driver's license, to adopt a pet...

Sadly, there are no requirements we have to pass to become a parent!

If you enlarge this photo, you will see a father, baiting the alligator to approach for a closer look. Alligators can run as fast as 40 miles per hour on dry land - how fast do you think the father can run in those "crocs"(shoes)? And what's worse, how is he going to protect his children...