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Hotel in Safety Harbor, FL

When I visited a friend in FL, we drove to this town.  I think this is such a neat looking building.

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One of the last times I went to Hawaii for the winter, I found this checkbook cover at a vendor booth at one of the fairgrounds.  I've been using it ever since.  It brings back fond memories and there are so many times I wish I were back there.

I guess that was a season of my life that will probably never be repeated.  It was good while it lasted.

I'm grateful for: 

the many years I was able to be in Hawaii for the winter and not have to deal with upstate NY winter weather.

139/365

Dalmation and Fire Hydrant

I saw this while walking through a residential area in Dunedin, Florida where a few of the homes were decked out in funky artistic styles.

I just thought this was cute.  

I wouldn't want it in front of my house, but to each their own, and it definitely makes a statement about the people living in that house.  Good for them!

My heart is grateful today for:

finally learning that it's not possible to be discouraged/depressed when feeling grateful

138/365

Hearts and Locks

Seen in Dunedin, Florida along one of the public walkways.  Many of the locks have sentiments of love inscribed on them.  This is one of the iconic tourist destinations in Dunedin.

My heart is grateful for:

having so many photo opportunities today

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Ozona Hotel

The Ozona Hotel in Ozona, Texas is a 3-story abandoned hotel.  

Ozona is the only town in Crockett County, Texas

grateful heart:

my daughter is having another baby girl in July

Honolulu

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I finally got the chance to get into Honolulu to photograph some architecture.  This first photo is of the building that is used for police headquarters on Hawaii Five-O.  It isn't really police headquarters, but it is a court building and it's beautiful both outside and inside.

In the same general area as the above building is a Mission Museum with a small cemetery.  

All three of these images were put through photomatix.

It was a beautiful day and the "icing on the cake" was that there was a hot dog vendor selling Sabrett's hot dogs at lunch time.  Yum!

Beautiful Morning at the Beach

8/365

I decided to finally get going to a beach this morning.  I only have about 30 more mornings to do that before I head back to NY, where my toes will not touch sand for the next 9 months when/if I return to Hawaii next year.  Insert sad face.

My beach of choice was Ko Olina.  It's close, it's beautiful, and the weather there is usually wonderful even when it's pretty stinky elsewhere on the island.  I packed a book, my camera, a snack and a drink...

Ko Olina is home to Aulani--the Disney Resort.  After grabbing some rays and then walking around to get some photos, I took a walk through the grounds of Aulani.  It's one of my favorite places to be.  I know it's a tourist trap, I know it's crowded, I know it's not what you think of when you imagine Hawaii, but I love it anyway.  

It was designed with an Hawaiian cultural advisor on staff  and it's so NOT hokey.  I lucked out again and saw one of the characters, Stitch, wandering around looking for photo ops with the children.

I.   WANT.   TO.   WORK.   THERE!!

It will never happen, but it tugs at my heart every time I'm there.

Anyway, after several hours at the beach, I packed up, drove to the Y and swam my laps.

It was a really good day, praise God.

A Day in Haleiwa

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My friend and I spent the day in Haleiwa.  I wasn't too excited about it when she suggested it, but I agreed because I haven't been out shooting much lately and I needed the diversion.  Once we got there, I decided to put some effort into it.

It was hot and I'm not a big fan of hot-weather photography.  But unlike hot weather in the northeast, there are always chances to cool off by getting into the shade or when the trade winds blow, so it was fairly tolerable for me today.

I'm pretty happy with some of the images I brought home.  

So I give thanks to my friend, Jackie, for giving me the impetus to get out there, for the stimulating conversations we had and for the great ideas for some creative uses for my images.  

A Fresh New Day

2/365

For the past several weeks I've been dealing with some serious pain in the leg where I had my hip replacement last year.  It always takes me by surprise how constant pain can drain a person.  It's somewhat under control with the use of ibuprofen, but it's always there.  I finally had some blood work done and am awaiting the results to see what further action needs to be taken.

For the past 2-3 days the weather has been oppressive too.  Cloudy, rainy, cool--conditions that make one want to grab a book and a beverage and curl up on the couch even when feeling well.  So by the end of yesterday I was dealing with not only pain and apprehension but a serious case of cabin fever.

I say all of that as background for today.  It was a fresh, new day.  It dawned clear, sunny, beautiful & warm.  So off we headed to Ko Olina, one of the most beautiful areas of the island, to show a visiting friend the glories of the Ihilani & Aulani Hotels.

Pool at Ihilani

Ihilani Hotel

Aulani Disney Resort

Beach at Aulani

Aulani

Mickey posing for photos