Dunedin, Florida: Kiwanis Park Benches With A Waterfront View

Click for larger picture in a new window

In Dunedin, just off Alternate Highway 19, you can find some neat little parks. Many are nothing more than a couple of benches, a plot of grass, a seawall, and an awesome waterfront view. They may not seem like much to an athletinaut, but if you can find some quiet space in your mind, they are a great place to sit and ponder the universe. Of course, if you can't get your mind quiet, sitting and watching the water move for a while might help with that.

"... Mathilde smiled a tiny little smile of satisfaction as she reached the park and walked the narrow wavy sidewalk to the water's edge. She was alone in the small space, just her, the benches, the grass, and that wide blue-green expanse of water. Nothing there to distract her. Nothing to keep her from her appointment, her date.

Her curly white hair shifted only slightly in the sea breeze. The wrinkles on her lightly tanned face asserted her place in the history that had been her life so far. She folded tired hands in her lap, rested her stiff back against the green cradle of the bench. She felt the heat of the sun soaking into her body, her soul. It felt good. 'Surely', she mused, 'I must have some plant life in my bloodline'. The irony made her smile.

Settled now, she relaxed into an easy, comfortable vigil, staring out over the water. Her eyes lost their focus, as if she were looking at nothing. The nearer sounds slowly faded away, leaving the distant cries of the seagulls and the soft murmuring of the waves against the sea wall. Then, as she sat there in a trance like state, nearly oblivious of her surroundings, he slowly appeared before her.

She grinned broadly, like a young woman welcoming the appearance of her lover. 'Clarence, darling', she murmured. He took her hand, bent, and kissed it. She sighed deeply. A passing jogger wondered briefly at the lone, old woman sitting on the bench gesturing. Clarence sat down next to Mathilde, and she lay her head on his shoulder. 'It seems like I haven't seen you in so long Clarence', she whispered, 'I've missed you so'. He put his arm around her shoulders. 'I know darling, I know'..."
____
If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Waters: Michael Phelps?

Click for larger picture in a new window

I don't know about you... but I think that looks a little like Michael Phelps on that there boat! Maybe the waters off Dunedin's Honeymoon Island Beach ARE his secret training waters? And maybe they need a boat that fast to keep up with him when he is in training?

"... 'But coach, why CAN'T I swim this fast in competition? I mean, I'm good, you know I am, and I'm faster than ANY of them!' Michael whined to his coach.

'Yes, I know you are, but remember, if they find out you have gills, and if anyone actually SEES you swimming as fast as a dolphin, the Navy with snatch you up for experiments and you will never see daylight again!'

'Now, get back in the water and show me your really slow stroke, the one we worked out where you will win the meet, but only just'..."
____
If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Millions Flock To Awesome Antiques Festival In Downtown Dunedin

Click for larger picture in a new window

Okay, okay, that was another outrageous lie. There were not millions of people there. Heck, I doubt there were more than a thousand or two. But it really was quite enjoyable. At least, for most of us...

"...Richard wandered through the crowds of happy antiques shoppers, scanning the faces of every person he passed, as well as the inventories of each table. "It has to be here," he muttered to himself. And if it isn't, he thought, surely THEY must be here. One or the other, he calculated, one or the other would be here, if not both.

He would not rest until he found them. It was HIS turn now, it was HIS time for revenge, time to even the score, time to make that one superb snatch that would set him up for years to come.

Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice near the tables in a small courtyard to his left. His heart jumped for just a moment, and he nonchalantly veered into the area. As he came closer to the voice, he fingered the small revolver in his pocket..."
____
If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Fun Times And Fast Rides At The OLL Fall Festival

Click for larger picture in a new window

A photo-inspired story.

Marie was having such a wonderful time she could almost forget about the life she led at home for a while. Martin had been an absolute gentleman all evening, and was treating her like a princess in a storybook. She sighed deeply, and then tightened her grip as the whirling carnival ride jerked suddenly in a different direction.

She felt Martin's hand wrapped over hers on the restraining bar holding them in their seats. It was a hand that was both gentle and strong, and it made her feel warm and safe. It was not a feeling she was used to. She smiled widely, and remembered all the times she had come to the OLL Fall Festival that had never felt quite so wonderful as this time!

Martin had seemed to accept the things about her life and family that she was always so ashamed of. He didn't seem to mind at all that, at 27, she was living with her parents again after her divorce. But she still had him pick her up down the street, so she could enjoy this one evening out with him before he met her father. Her father was the last thing on her mind when they walked off the ride and she saw him striding purposefully toward her...
____
If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Jillian Michaels, Joe The Plumber Ravage OLL Clothing Sale

Click for larger picture in a new window

This past weekend was the weekend for the Our Lady of Lourdes Fall Festival, also know as the OLL Fall Festival. So if you were thinking of attending, but didn't make it by yesterday, I'm sorry you missed it. It was nice to get there early, before the worst of the heat and the crowds. We had a nice time wandering about, snapping pictures and checking out the deals.

When I was reviewing my photos, this one of the Flea Market tent morphed into a story from the recent news, and turned into one of my Outrageous Lies...

"... Recent news reports confirm sightings of Jillian Michaels, professional trainer on The Biggest Loser, rummaging through the clothes tables at the OLL Fall Festival in Dunedin, Florida. Shocking as that was, we were doubly surprised to find she was accompanied by no other than Joe the Plumber! That's right! Evidently, she is working with Joe the Plumber as a personal trainer, and now that he's lost so much weight, she is showing him how to save money when you suddenly have to replace your entire wardrobe. When asked why he decided to hire Jillian Michaels, Joe responded "Well, ever since Barack Obama has been talking about me on his Presidential Campaign trail, I have been making public appearances, and so I wanted to look my best... "
____
If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!

Dunedin, Florida: Honeymoon Island Beach: Michael Phelps' Secret Training Waters

Click for larger picture in a new window

Now that the Beijing Olympics are over, I can finally reveal Michael Phelps' secret training location: Honeymoon Island Beach! No surprise he won 8 gold medals!

Okay, it's true, that is not Michael Phelps. And I doubt he has ever heard of Honeymoon Island, here in Dunedin, Florida. But it's a fun thought! That guy is awesome!

Don't forget: The Clearwater Jazz Holiday ends today in Coachman Park! Click here for the complete entertainment schedule.
____
If you would like to see more of this area, check out Clearwater Beach Daily Photo, and Clearwater Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Dunedin, Florida!