A Fine Day in Ocala

 These colourful horse statues adorn the town square in Ocala, and are fenced in to protect them from damage. We toured Ocala today as well as some outlying towns and saw more wonderful countryside. Back to Are and Ron's for yet another wonderful dinner and an early night as we must pack and get ready as tomorrow we catch the big bird to take us home to Calgary.

It's been a wonderful trip/holiday...spent wonderful time with my sisters, celebrated birthdays and spent time with good friends. Pat has enjoyed it immensely as well, as seeing Florida was one of our objectives. 


And so, this will be my last post for the "Florida blog" and we're coming home MISSY!

Birthday Celebration

Well, it's my birthday and what a day we had! At my request, we stayed home, walked the dog and worked on my buddy Ron's new phone and computer. We had a tremendous dinner - run over chicken and homemade trifle. 

Run Over Chicken stuffed with alligator and rice

Trifle

Greatgranddaughters Faith, Isabelle, and Lillian

I received many calls and cards from all my special people...and all of this made my day so very special. 




Especially, from my great granddaughters in St Adolphe who sent me their own colouring and a big Happy Birthday! 

Still in PJs opening cards and messages

Patsy with mare in background

Thanks to everyone for making my day so memorable. 

Homosassa Springs Wildlife Centre

Red Wolf

Aligator 

Ron and Are

We spent the day here

There are only 2 ways to get into this wildlife park (it's NOT a zoo) - be rescued or be confiscated...this organization helps heal injured wildlife and returns them to the wild if at all possible. They have everything from orange flamingoes (all birds that can fly are free to come and go) to manatees (sea cows) and alligators. So here are some great pictures of the wildlife. 

Manatee (this fellow is 10 feet long and weighs about 1000 lbs)

Louie the hippo

The Manatees have no natural enemies and are typically injured by  motor boats and they released 2 back to the wild last week. They also have red wolves (endangered species) american eagles, turtles, a black bear orphaned by his mom, Florida deer, and on and on. They have S N A K E S and other reptiles. 

American Eagles (both with wing injuries) 

Spoon billed ?

Orange Flamingoes

Having fun with friends 

It's a Girl

Born 9:30a.m. March 18th

An auspicious day with a baby born 

Momma and daughter only a few hours old

At the Barn

The "Barn" house (quite the spread)

Beware

View of one of the Paddocks

The house incorporates stables at one end and a huge workshop and garage at the other end. In addition to two bathrooms and 3 bedrooms down, there is another huge bedroom upstairs with a bathroom, king bed and enough room for a barn dance. (I'm upstairs). 

Pot Bellied Cow

Sway back horse

Folk art Unicorn 

Jade sculpture 

Are's art work is quite spectacular, and the following shots are only a few examples. 

1st Birthday Party

Well, altho' my birthday is TOMORROW, we had a wee get together with friends of Are and Ron (Tammy and Karleton) and Tammy's birthday is the same day as mine (and Di-Di's) but Di is in Sarasota!


So we went to Tammy and Karleton's and had lots of yummy appies, and then we had yam fries, chicken wings, salad, and the BEST birthday cake ...(gluten free) and I have to tell the truth, I had 2 pieces, and slept poorly and had a poor day (for a bit) as my poor tummy was too full and still digesting. (Now I'm ok). So here are some pics of the wee get together. 

Blowing out candles with Tammy

Tammy and Thibodeaux

Tammy, Are, Ron and me

Leaving Sarasota

Janet, Steve and me

My Irish Friend Di Di

laughing sisters at sunset

Juggler at St Armand's Circle

Rolls Royce

Pat, my handsome brother in law and me