Anyone missing an old photo?

This morning I received an email from a woman named Mary Ellen as follows:

I purchased a copy of "The Simplicity Primer" at Goodwill in Nashville TN and found a snapshot inside of a lovely young woman holding a precious baby. On the back it reads, "spring or summer '52." Goodwill of course has no clue as to owner. I thought if it was someone who followed your blog, and you mentioned it, they would get in touch with you and I'll send it to them. The photo is in excellent condition so it meant something to someone. Thank you.

I thought it was very kind of Mary Ellen to try and reunite the photo with its owner, and she gave permission to post her email.

So -- if anyone recognizes this photo, please contact me at ruralrevolution@hotmail.com and I'll forward your claim to Mary Ellen.

Happy New Year!

To end the old year on a happy note, the fine folks at Thoughts from Frank and Fern sent me the following photo:

They're holding two of our tankards plus a copy of my book. How sweet is that?

As I post this, I have some homemade macaroni and cheese in the oven, a glass of wine at my elbow, Mozart on my Pandora station, and I will doubtless be in bed by 9 pm (my party days are long over).

May God grant you all a blessed, healthy, and prosperous New Year, dear readers.

Kind words from a reader

It's been awhile since I received an email regarding my book The Simplicity Primer, so when I got the following, I was so charmed I asked permission to post it here.

Nancy wrote:

Hi Patrice,
Your book is amazing! I thought when I bought it that it was going to be a self sufficiency book about living in the country, etc. But I am glad that it is so much more than that. The best chapter so far (not quite done reading it yet) for me has been the chapter about husbands. I have used your suggestions and what a difference (for the better) it has made in my relationship with my husband, not to mention how much more help he has been to me since I tried your 'problem solving' approach for him instead of just nagging him to do something. We live on a farm so the more help I can get from him, the easier it is for me to get all of the my farm chores done plus work at my day job as a telecommuting software developer. Also the Silly Guilt, and the paper towel on the public restroom door describe me perfectly - sometimes I think we must be related! Just wanted to let you know I am really enjoying the book and plan to loan it to my daughter-in-law to help her figure out my son (clone of my husband) when I am finished. Thanks for a great read.

Ain't that sweet?

A lovely review

Book reviews of The Simplicity Primer are few and far between now, so I was pleasantly surprised to find this charming discussion on a website called Nourishing Minimalism.



Thank you!

Booksigning!

Hey, if anyone is near St. Maries, Idaho, I'll be doing a booksigning for The Simplicity Primer tomorrow (Saturday) from 1-3 pm, sponsored by The Paper House (822 Main Street).

I realize this is (cough) a little out of the way for most folks, but I'd love to meet any local readers. Hope to see some of you there!

Linked!

Rob over at PACNW Righty gave me a lovely book review for The Simplicity Primer.

Thanks Rob!

A great big thank-you!

Sloppy wet hugs and kisses to all the kind readers who posted positive reviews for The Simplicity Primer on the Barnes & Noble website recently! I don't know what happened to that original one-star review, but it's gone, whoo-hoo!

Seriously, I very much appreciate it. Thank you all so much.

A favor to ask...

Dear readers, I have a favor to ask.

My husband happened to be on the Barnes & Noble website recently, and looked up The Simplicity Primer. What he found was a single review... and it was a one-star! Someone clearly didn't like the book, but gave no explanation as to why. Just that durn one star.

So, for those who read the book and (cough) liked it, would you be so kind as to add some positive reviews? I would much appreciate it!

The Simplicity Primer gift-wrapped!

You might have noticed the new bright-red banner at the top of the blog page. This is to announce a Christmas special on The Simplicity Primer.

We're offering it for $2 less, and we can gift-wrap it for you as well.

If you wish to order two or more books, those orders have to be placed separately. There is no extra charge for ordering separately, fortunately, so don't hesitate to place a separate order for as many books as you wish.

Click on the banner link above for details!

Does anyone want to meet Enola Gay?

My friend Enola Gay who runs the Paratus Familia blog is planning on being at the Spokane Gun Show this weekend on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Nov. 4-6) located at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds and Expo Center.

While she'll have a few guns for sale, mostly she'll be selling copies of her book The Prepared Family Guide to Uncommon Diseases, as well as samplers of her homemade reusable feminine hygiene products.

In our house, we've used Enola's reusable hygiene products for about 2 1/2 years, and as a result, I'm her biggest fan.



Enola invited me to share her booth and sell The Simplicity Primer as well, but my weekend kept getting busier and busier (plus I'm still recovering from a bad cold) so it just didn't work out. However she kindly offered to sell copies of my book for me.

So I autographed a stack of books for her and delivered them to her house.

Into each book I slipped a couple of business cards.

So if anyone would like to meet Enola Gay and see her items, be sure to stop in at the gun show and tell her I said "hi."

What a bunch of BLATHER and a waste of paper

I just got the snarkiest review on Amazon for The Simplicity Primer:

What a bunch of BLATHER. I bought this book based on the ten 5 star reviews; what kind of whacky weed are you all smoking? Here's some chapter headings: Be Humble, Don't Gossip, Be Polite, Love Your Spouse and the book goes on and on... As you get to the three hundred series it doesn't improve: Enjoy The Holidays, Keep Learning, Live Cheap, Be Creative and then it gets into "Radical Simplicity" !!! People writing reviews should not be allowed to practice their writing skills just to sound sophisticated. This book is a waste of paper.

It was Younger Daughter who found this review and read it out loud to me. Frankly I found it hilarious. I wasn't offended in the slightest, in part because it's pretty apparent that this reviewer Just Didn't Get It. That's fine. Can't please all of the people all of the time.

Awwww shucks -- cute pic!

I received an email this evening as follows:
_________________________

Dear Patrice,

Thank you for all your effort and dedication to your blog and for allowing those of us planning a move to the Redoubt a daily opportunity to live vicariously through you! I look forward to your posts and thoroughly enjoy your insight. The pictures are grand as well!

We have received a copy of your book, The Simplicity Primer, and I thought you might enjoy knowing that the entire family is taken with it - including my 2.5 year old son. Here he is in the "library" "reading" The Simplicity Primer. (picture attached)

He sits in that rocking chair often and chooses a book that becomes a favorite for a period of time. Yours has been the "one" for some time now! I thought it would be fun to share this with you, so I snapped a photo and was quite surprised it turned out half way descent.

Thank you again.

Blessings and peace,
Eileen
_____________________________

Is this too cute for words or what??

Book review from a Seattle progressive

Recently I received an email from a woman named Audrey, who lives in Seattle. She sent her thoughts and impressions of The Simplicity Primer. I was very, very glad to get her review because I've always wondered how the book would impact the Simplicity community in the Pacific northwest.

The simplicity movement is big -- huge -- in the Pacific northwest. Many simplicity authors reside in Seattle or Portland or vicinity. But I have not reached out toward these communities because, almost to a person, they reside on the extreme far left end of the spectrum and I felt they wouldn't care for my perspective.

So this is my first review from the far left.
____________________________________

Having been in the "simplicity movement" since 1986, in Seattle, with some of the early people (Cecile Andrews, Duane Elgin and Robin & Dominguez) every time a new book catches my eye I give it a read. Having read yours I felt drawn to give some feedback.

My life isn't perfect, but whose is? But I do live in a 100+ year old house of 600 square feet, eat game, buy meat and eggs from my country friends, have a huge garden, cook from scratch, eschew TV, cable, dish, internet, books, getting my needs met at my local library. My clothes, excluding socks and underwear come from thrift stores. I drive a 30 year old car, they were simpler then, it gives me no trouble. I have been living the life for a long time.

But you really got off track with #354. "Move to where there are like-minded people." [NOTE: The text of this tip is copied below.] Whoa, sister! That sort of attitude fosters an "us versus them", red state/blue state, bunker mentality that engenders things like the Aryan Nations. I made a choice to move here 16 years ago and I'm not leaving. I suppose people see me as an eccentric, radical, commie-pinko but I was raised by parents who had a mantra, "what other people think of you is none of your business." What we have to try to do is find the common ground, sometimes it may be only that we are of the same species. My buddy thinks Glen Beck is god and I think he's a wing-nut but we have endless discussions on techniques for organic gardening. I trade him homemade bread for rototilling. We get along, somehow.

Regarding religion... My parents raised the six of us on "the golden rule", do unto others, etc. We were encouraged to explore, read and be free-thinkers; some of us have religion and others don't. Personally, I do not deny the existence of god, I just haven't seen it proven scientifically. Maybe god is quantum mechanics or string theory. I guess I am a militant agnostic; I don't know and YOU don't either. If you don't have the resilience and strength of character to handle life's challenges and religion gives you that, go for it. Some of us, however, prefer freedom FROM religion.

The Green Movement is a sinister plot to move us to Socialism?!? Whoa! What sort of Tea Party Kool Aid you drinking?!? [NOTE: The text of this tip is also copied below.] If we don't get this climate change thing back to 350ppm nothing will matter. You are a breeder, just what sort of world are your grandchildren going to have to cope with? I personally don't think there is time to get things fixed but we all need to do what we can. The underlying problem is that the corporate concerns who run politics in this country have a vested interest in keeping the status quo and deriving short-term profits at the expense of our children's future. Maybe green politics is one response, but personally I think armed insurrection is a better idea.

I found alot of things in your book to like and agree with. I probably sound retro but I think if people have kids under 18 there should be no divorce unless there is a documented history of abuse. Work it out. Too many kids in poverty, on welfare, not getting a fair start in life and being a burden to the taxpayer besides. This business of sexualizing young girls, WTF!! Don't tell ME this is feminism! My mother, Susan Sontag and Bella Abzug are rolling in their graves. I laughed hard at the "country living" sequence. When I moved here most people thought I was a few bricks short of a load and the others were saying "such a beautiful place, why aren't you living in the country?" My response was, "are you [expletive deleted] nuts?!? I GREW UP IN THE COUNTRY! I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE! In town; I turn on the faucet and water comes out, I flush the toilet it goes to the sewer, Donny Mueller picks up the trash every Thursday, the city plows the street when it snows. Living in the country is over-rated." Yes, it is nice...IF you are prepared to deal with it. Plus it costs money. I live alot more frugally and with alot less hassle in town. Not to mention, now that I am officially in "old bag" status, it is more prudent.

Best wishes with your publishing career and other business interests.

Audrey
________________________________________

Here are the specific points from the book which Audrey referenced:

354. Move to a Place with Like-Minded People
If moving to a different town or even state is in your plans for a simpler life, take warning: make sure you investigate your destination area to see if you’re among like-minded people.

Beyond the usual red-state-blue-state demographics, it is wise to be aware that there are certain places where the political or social climate may not be to your liking. If you have strong political beliefs, for instance, and you move to an area where the majority of people are at the opposite end of the spectrum, you’re going to be miserable.

Be sure to research your target location thoroughly. Subscribe to the local newspapers. Visit. Rent for awhile, if you can.

There is joy in finding yourself among others who share your values. When we moved to Idaho, for instance, we found to our delight that we were among neighbors who cherish independence, family values, and thrift just as we do.

We know of a couple who purchased property recently in our area. They had wildly different viewpoints from those of their immediate neighbors. Wildly different. I met them once or twice and they seemed like nice folks, but I sensed trouble ahead because of their different attitudes and viewpoints. In our brief conversations, they immediately launched into their personal philosophies in a rather belligerent, defensive manner…almost as if they sensed they were different. I don’t know all the details, but their property was up for sale again within a year.

Relocation is much simpler if you know you’ll be welcomed in your new neighborhood.

244. Support Green Living, Not the Green Movement
We are urged to consider the sustainability and impact of our choices in order to think “green.” I find this to be a high calling, one worthy of everyone’s attention.

I support green living. I try to live by the principles of green living. It’s all so sensible—and simplifying. However, I do not support the green political movement because these activists are using “green” to advance Socialism. And Socialism, as any student of history will tell you, does not make anyone’s life simple. Socialism takes away independence. Sustainability increases independence. Which makes more sense to you?

Columnist Rebecca Hagelin writes, “If you let people control their own destinies, there's no limit to what they can achieve. But if you bind them with the straitjacket of central planning, smother their creativity with over-regulation, fence them in with high tariffs and take their hard-earned money with high taxes, you kill their dreams even as you wreck an economy.” [Emphasis added.]

But the march toward Socialism is subtle, and prettily wrapped up in 100% recycled green wrapping paper. After all, as commentator Walter Williams points out, there’s less resistance if liberty is taken away a little at a time. This year, light bulbs. Next year, temperature controls in your house. After that…who knows?

History has demonstrated the destructive results of Socialism. Become green and independent, not part of a collectivist society. Think for yourself. Only then will your life simplify, unless, of course, you prefer the simplicity of no longer having any choices at all.

Here is the reply I sent to Audrey:

Good morning, Audrey:

Thank you for taking the time to write regarding my book The Simplicity Primer. Like you, I’ve spent many years both living and reading about the simple life, including the authors you mention (Andrews, Elgin, Robin & Dominguez, etc.). I admire the way you’re conducting your life in conformity with your beliefs. Not many people have managed to do that, so you’re to be commended.

With regard to the tip to which you took exception (#354, Move to a Place With Like-Minded People), please remember that the ideas in the book are suggestions, not requirements. While I’m pleased you’re able to find common ground with your buddy who listens to Glenn Beck, you also mention how you moved to Seattle from a rural location, presumably because the social and political climate were more to your liking. In other words, you moved to a place with like-minded people. I find nothing wrong with living among people who share one’s beliefs, and believe me it has nothing to do with a “us versus them” bunker mentality, much less anything whatever to do with the Aryan Nations (yuck, pitooey).

Regarding religion: I think you’ll agree that the Simplicity Primer is a rarity among simplicity literature in that it’s written from the perspective of a conservative Christian. The premise of the entire book is that simplicity is achieved through making the right choices. I’ve chosen to embrace religion; you’ve chosen to do otherwise. If you’re satisfied with your choice, then you’ve achieved simplicity in that category.

I do maintain that the Green political movement advances socialism. We live a lifestyle that is “greener” than 95% of America, but it’s our choice to do so. My quarrel with the green movement is it is dedicated to passing legislation forcing others to conform to their agenda, i.e. phasing out incandescent light bulbs or regulating home temperatures. Such legislation reduces choices and increases unconstitutional authority. We keep our home cool and we use (mostly) CFL’s, but that’s our choice and I don’t believe there is any constitutional justification forcing anyone else to live the way we think they should live.

I thoroughly, absolutely, one-hundred-percent agree with your assessment of country living. LOL – sometimes I think I spend half my time convincing people NOT to move rural since (as you well know) country living is only for those willing to put up with a lot of hassle, grief, inconvenience, and even danger. We love it here, but then we don’t have to commute through snow drifts to a job (we work at home) or school (we homeschool), so we’re willing to put up with a lot of inconvenience. Life is indeed much simpler in many regards in the city, but we don’t like the crowded conditions or noise factor. It’s quite literally a case of “to each his own” when in comes to choosing a place to live.

I find myself in complete agreement with many of the things you wrote in your email. I wish we lived closer as I suspect we could have some lively and fascinating conversations over a nice pot of chai tea.

Thank you for your kind wishes and once again, I appreciate you taking the time to express your thoughts and opinions.

Raising kids simply

I had an article published in the latest issue of Backwoods Home Magazine called Raising Kids Simply.

I've written for BWH on and off for a number of years, but after The Simplicity Primer was released, they were wildly enthusiastic over the book (bless them) and asked me to write this article on raising kids as a supplement to the generous advertisement they ran. At first I thought the article was a little too over-the-top, but they liked it and I've received more positive input from this article than almost anything else I've written for them (go figure).

At any rate, here's a teaser from the top of the article:
_____________________________
What simplicity is not

First let's examine what simplicity for kids is not.

Simple living is not "green living" or otherwise saving the planet. I've read books on raising "simple" kids which focus solely and exclusively on being green. Bunk. Personally I don't care if you impart these values to your children or not — but please note this constitutes a belief, not a behavior. Beliefs may or may not simplify one's life; but behaviors (which after all are based on choices) will make or break a person.

Simplicity is not giving your kids unlimited freedom to (cough) "express themselves." Naturally I'm not suggesting you stifle their childish impulsive emotions or creativity — far from it. But too many parents think "expressing themselves" means children should be allowed to behave like horrible brats, unrestrained by their parents or other adults. I've often found that parents who want their children to "express themselves" are just too lazy to discipline them... (Read the rest here.)

"What mama taught me"

If there's one thing I absolutely love to hear, it's how peoples' good, sound, sensible choices positively impact their lives. That's the whole premise of the Simplicity Primer, after all -- the benefits of making good choices.

A couple days ago I read this letter to Dr. Laura which illustrated the point so beautifully I'm reproducing it here:
______________________________________

Dear Dr. Laura,

You asked what we as parents have taught our children about drugs. I can't answer that because I've not had children. But I want to share with you what my Mama taught me about drugs.

I was born and raised in the projects in California. Children in gangs, children taking drugs, and children having babies were all around me. One day, quite frustrated perhaps her words weren't getting through to me about certain things, Mama began pointing out the natural consequences of choices to me.

When another 12 year old girl was pregnant, Mama taught (with a very clear visual) what happens when children have children: I watched as the girl brought the baby home from the hospital, watched as the girl quit school, watched as they lived on welfare.

She did this each time something arose: a kid pinned to death to a fence, the police taking away some kid, etc.

The saddest and hardest lesson, however, came with drugs.

When my dearest friend became involved with drugs, as difficult as it was to listen to, Mama told me point-by-point what her drug use was doing to her family… Then Mama pointed out what it was doing to me: I lost my friend - not to death but because she didn't exist any longer due to drugs. I cried myself to sleep many nights. My friend used me to steal money from people she knew and left me literally holding the bag for her actions: she lied to me and deceived me.

I was a 12 year old child and my world changed. I learned there are very few choices and actions which do not affect someone else, especially those who love us.

When I entered high school I knew the signs of someone using and I stayed away from them. I had sorrow for their families and I knew the eventual consequences: dropping out of school, becoming lost, becoming worse than dead to friends and family because who they were was being eroded by the drugs.

I never experimented with drugs. Not because of what my Mama taught me, but because of what she helped me clearly see.

Perhaps today the answer for parents isn't WHAT they teach their children, but what they help their children to SEE. To see clearly is something that doesn't exist among many children today, I've observed. To be quick to observe and to learn from what others are doing - THAT is seeing clearly. And perhaps THAT way of teaching is more important than words - like how my Mama taught me.
______________________________________

God bless this woman's mama.

Occasionally I get lambasted for my "intolerant" views on poverty and welfare and other such issues because I firmly believe most (not all, but most) long-term poverty results from making poor choices.  I'm not talking about temporary setbacks like unemployment or medical issues; I'm talking about chronic long-term poverty in which multiple generations of children are never taught the consequences of poor choices... just like this woman illustrates in her letter to Dr. Laura.

What kind of poor choices can result in long-term poverty?  As the letter-writer mentioned, taking drugs.  Having babies out of wedlock.  Not finishing school.  Other issues (which, remember, are choices) include having a poor work ethic.  Being dishonest.  Refusing to stand on one's own two feet.  Having a gimme-gimme entitlement mentality.

If you haven't been raised with solid stable virtues, then they're harder to acquire.  But as the letter-writer clearly demonstrates, it's entirely possible.  It's people like her that give me such hope for our world.

My mother was raised in horrible poverty by a brutal alcoholic father.  She could have followed the easy path and stayed in poverty by marrying a brutal alcoholic man (in fact, she got close).  But she didn't.  She was wise enough to know that her choices would impact her future.  Instead she choose to marry a stable decent man like my father.

Choices choices choices.  That's what it comes down to, folks.  It's all up to you.  It's in your hands.

Filming in Florida

Yesterday was my last day in Florida, and of course the most nerve-wracking day of all since it was the day of the actual filming.

At the appointed time (well, a bit early) I drove to the studio.

It didn't look like much on the outside (except for this HUGE antenna)...

...but inside was a veritable maze of rooms and studios...

I was escorted to the Green Room, a lovely place, to wait until the current guests were finished filming. I paced around nervously.

Then it was my turn. I shouldn't have fretted. The hosts -- Herman and Sharron -- were a kindly older couple who had been married 53 years. They were as nice as could be and immediately put me at my ease.

The studio was fascinating to see from the inside. The studio had a number of sets used for different shows. Ours was a "garden" set.

Other sets were dining rooms, a desk area, and even a full living room.

One of the cameras was on a boom, so it could be moved around from a higher angle.

The whole ordeal wasn't nearly as nerve-wracking as I thought it would be, except for being painfully aware of my appearance. The reason is the lights shine so brightly I couldn't see the cameras, so they didn't freak me out too much. Instead I tried to concentrate on just chatting with the hosts.

Nonetheless, I was GLAD when it was over!

I happened to notice the temperature as I left the studio. Ug, sometimes it's better not to know.

After lunch, I immediately hit the road since it was a two-hour drive back to Orlando. I waved at the dinosaur as I passed.

While driving, something unusual happened at 1:52 local time. I was listening to a news station broadcasting out of Washington D.C. when all of a sudden the female host stopped, gasped, and said "Oh my God, we're having an earthquake!" She and the male host were being shaken in their studio, live during the broadcast. All the pre-recorded sound bites they had lined up for their news stories suddenly didn't work, but that was okay, they had lots of stuff to fill the air time ("breaking news," they called it). (Apparently the political Tweets were almost instantaneous. My favorite so far: Evidently the quake occurred on a little known fault line outside of DC called "Bush's Fault.")

When I got to the airport, it was insane. The security line was massive and very slow-moving. When I got to the fist checkpoint, I asked the TSA fellow if it was always this crowded. He said it was the busiest time of day for flying anyway, but because of the earthquake, there were massive flight delays. I was glad I got to the airport as early as I did.

And thankfully I didn't have to go through any TSA nonsense on this end either. Perhaps it was due to the huge crowds (which, I'll admit, were very cooperative and well-behaved as a whole), but I merely walked through a metal detector, re-gathered my belongings, and I was good to go. The flight the Denver wasn't delayed, nor was the second leg of the trip from Denver to Spokane.

Flying west, the sun was at an angle that photos didn't really come out. This is a color-enhanced shot as we were landing in Denver.

And of course, Denver has the funky roof of the terminal to amuse visitors.

The second half of the flight was entirely in the dark, so photos wouldn't have worked. But here is Spokane (or more specifically, Spokane Valley) just as we're approaching the airport.

My flight arrived on top at 11 pm and Don met me without any trouble. What a tiring day! I'm glad to be home and glad to have survived the experience.

Sightseeing in Florida

With a day to myself in Largo, I decided to do some sightseeing. In the lobby of the hotel is one of those displays that has brochures from all the local tourist attractions. And you know what caught my eye?

The zoo! Specifically the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa.

Zoos have a special meaning for me. When I got my master's degree in the biological sciences (specifically, Environmental Education), it was with an idea toward working in a zoo one day. So what happened? We ended up setting in a spot 300 miles from the nearest zoo. I haven't been to a zoo in over ten years. So despite the heart-stopping entry price ($23!!!!), I decided to go.

Well it was superb. The zoo was confusingly laid out, but that was half the charm. I only consulted the zoo map a few times to confirm I hadn't missed anything, and despite the heat and humidity, I enjoyed myself thoroughly. So pardon my excitement as I post highlights of some of the animals.

Indian rhinoceros. It's hard to imagine a more prehistoric-looking creature. The classic description of this animal looking "armored" is dead-on true. Look at the plates on that body!

And as if this wasn't cool enough, there was a baby rhino! He (or she) was gamboling about the enclosure, butting into mama and thoroughly enjoying him/herself.

I was joking to myself that I had to come all the way to Florida to see a Bald Eagle in captivity, when we see them all the time in the wild where we live.

These tortoises were enthusiastically doing exactly what it looks like they're doing.

The highlight of the zoo is its manatee recovery tank. Many manatees that have been injured in the wild come here for vet treatment and rehabilitation.

Here a zoo worker is cleaning the inside of the tank. The blue double-circle gizmo in her right hand is a suction to attach to the window to keep her from bobbing to the surface, while she cleans the glass with her left hand.

Manatees are big benign-looking creatures. It was feeding time so many were chomping leaves of lettuce.

Apparently one of the most common injuries for manatees is getting caught in boat propellers. This female had half her tail flipper ripped off. The sign said she's nearly ready to be released back into the wild, just in time for her to calve.

(This is what a regular tail looks like -- nearly circular.)

I have no idea what kind of tree this was, but it was impressively fruiting.

All over the place, I saw parasitical orchids in trees.

A collection of lawn ornaments. Whoops, sorry, these are flamingos.

Lorikeets. Staggeringly pretty birds. This was an apiary, so we were right in with them.

Flying foxes, the biggest bats in the world. Wingspan about four feet. WAY cool.

An apiary full of budgies. I'm fond of these critters, having had many as pets.

By this point a thunderstorm was looming, with some impressive thunder rolling in.

But I couldn't go without seeing one of my favorite animals, the giraffe. You know how in high school, so many girls are horse-crazy? Well, I was giraffe crazy. Absolutely gaga over 'em.

They have such beautiful eyes.

Eating some lettuce.

Majestic during some times...

...awkward during others.

They even had a skull on display.

Some more armored personnel.

I had just finished seeing all the displays when the heavens opened and it started pouring WARM rain. As I was driving away, a crack of lightning and a boom of thunder came simultaneously, so it was definitely not the time to be in the open.

After that enlightening afternoon, I figured I couldn't leave Florida without seeing the beach, so I asked directions at the hotel desk for a suitable place to visit. They directed me to Clearwater Beach.

It was, to put it mildly, impressive. Miles of pure white sand as well as miles of condos and hotels. Facing north...

...and facing south.

The water was bottle green and very clear.

Brown pelicans were everywhere.

I got off the pier and went onto the sand. It was burning hot and fine as sugar. Just gorgeous. But when I stepped into the water, I nearly fell over. It was warm! Warm as milk fresh out of the cow! I'd never stepped in (natural) water that was so warm!

I went under the pier (the only shady spot) and for many minutes just stood in that warm water, marveling that I was in Florida.

This gigantic monstrosity, I learned, is a Hyatt Regency Hotel. Cha-ching! Can you imagine what it must cost to get an ocean-view room? (Between $200 and $550 per night. I looked it up.)

There was, to my considerable surprise, a pirate ship out to sea. Well, why not?

It chugged (for make no mistake, it had engines!) up the coast a mile or so, then turned around, discharged a couple of loud cannon booms, and chugged back. Very impressive.

Sated with hot sunshine and humidity, I knew it was time to get back to the hotel before I wilted from the heat.

I stopped for dinner, and as I came out of the restaurant I noticed this billowing thunderhead towering over.

A little thunder and lightening, but nothing serious.

By the way, I don't think I've ever seen such a place for clouds that resemble things. (I've enhanced the colors to make them more visible.) This morning I noticed a lion's head...

...when I got to the beach I noticed this huge fish...

...and driving back to the hotel I noticed a catfish. Go figure.

Today was my day of play. Tomorrow is the more serious business of going on television. Yikes.