I may look funny, but I'm warm

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - I go to a nearby bagel / coffee shop about three days a week.  We have an interesting crowd including an individual who rides a bicycle and brings his dog along in an attached basket. The dog patiently waits while his owner gets his order. It was 40-degrees again this morning and the pooch was bundled up and getting plenty of attention for his "winter" outfit. I don't think he liked  it.

A chilly morning stroll

The damaged pier with the city hall / library complex in the background

It's Nov. 28...do you know where your Christmas decorations are??

ORMOND BEACH,FL - - It's 40-degrees with a brisk north wind...obviously time for a morning walk. Two years ago our annual hurricane season took a slap at our coastline. Since we live one mile from the ocean there were damages. One such problem concerned our fishing /walking pier four blocks away. Storm surge up the Halifax River trashed the southern portion while only slightly damaging the rest of the nearly  half  mile long structure.  Finally, funding is now in place for work to start.  Thus a barge with a crane has moved in to begin repair / replacement of the damaged area. 
     We've got Christmas decorations to go with our palm trees for the holiday season. Our location  doesn't get snow, but we sure try to crank up the holiday spirit.

The colors of autumn

Cassia

Mexican petunias

A red hibiscus.  We also have yellow; white and peach colored ones

Note the bee at the very top of the cassia bloom

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - One drawback of being away for five months...especially if there is plenty of summer rain... is that invasive bamboo; weeds and vines grow like mad.   And have to be hacked, wacked and disposed of.   So they can grow back in time for us to do it again before we leave next May.
     But enough of that. Let's look on the bright and colorful side of yard work.  It's still like summer here in  OB, even if relatives in upstate New York have been hit with 12 inches of snow and 18-degree temps within the last 10 days.
     The shrubs are blooming, adding color to our "natural" landscaping.  And next weekend we'll hang out our Christmas lights.

Art festival weekend - - DeLand

There were interested visitors

Not so interested visitors

Welcomes everywhere

Wildlife

And a quartet of devious-looking kitties

 DELAND, FL - - We like going to the local art shows.  You can bet on finding something unique...and, maybe even affordable.  As with any outdoor activity, there were plenty of dogs.  And most weren't looking to have their photo taken.  But some....

Moving out!!

ORMOND BEACH, FL - - It's Thursday lunchtime. Sunny; breezy; mid-80's, a perfect day for our first lunch of the winter season down on the Halifax River at a nearby park. This is (boat) traffic watching season for us. There isn't an official starting date, but Nov. 1 seems as good as any:  If you're a boater it's time to head to South Florida for the winter months. 
     The boat in the above photo just might be on the way or, more likely, it is  heading out to open water for some fishing.  In any case, when you kick up a wake like this it means that while your speedo is moving up, your fuel gauge is heading in the opposite direction.