No Time For Simple Pleasures

Ah, the simple pleasures. To just kick back and enjoy a fine cigar and superb glass of wine as I explore and capture the people, places and things that are Tampa. It's the good life and terrific city.

I've been absent for several days as an important change have developed that will alter my life and daily routine for many months. It's an extremely positive and even exciting change - a new and challenging opportunity in my career that will take me away from Tampa each day at least through the summer and perhaps into the fall.

I am really looking forward to this unique and unexpected adventure which lies ahead.

I will try to visit your sites and comment as I can, but I won't be able to post with any regularity. I will be buried in new responsibilities and am not sure what the weeks and months ahead will mean to my time. I already miss the fun and great pleasure Tampa Florida Photo and Tampa Daily Photo have given me...and the friendships that I have with you and my loyal Followers.

I will miss you and look forward to the days ahead. When I can, I will return.

A Pickup Truck Place to Shop

Modern fountain of youth?

I'm not sure if this contraption on the beach is a water fountain, plain and simple, or a place to clean fish. It's the oddest fountain I've encountered. Anyone seen another like this one? Anywhere? ever?

Three Pavilions and a Sky

Cold, Windy and Windsurfing

Tampa's skyline from the river's edge

This shot was taken from across the Hillsborough River at Plant Park and captures the Kennedy Street bridge and the Regions Financial tower at 100 North Tampa Street. The towering skyscraper stands 579 feet tall and has 42 floors. Currently it is the tallest structure in Tampa and the ninth-tallest building in Florida.

Cold but the fountains at the Straz Center were warm and colorful

We had the good fortune to enjoy an early date night to celebrate Valentine's Day - it's Sunday, the 14th!! - and went to the Straz Center for the Performing Arts to see the musical Godspell. It was performed in my favorite space at the center, the Jaeb Theater. Of the four theaters, this one is next to the smallest in size,

but is the most interesting of all. There are two balconies and the floor surrounding the stage. Everyone sits at small round tables for four, and our seats this evening were at the front, directly at the stage.

The performers came off stage several times onto raised staging in the middle of the audience and it made for a great evening of music of the 1970s made new, dance and song. Even the staging and musicians get my thumbs up for being just right. I highly recommend that you see Godspell; it runs though May 16th.

After the show we walked out toward the Hillsborough River and I took the fountain, gift shop and walkway. It was a really fun night and except for the temperature in the 40s, it was perfect.

Skywatch Friday - Season 4 Episode 31: Blazing Sunset followed Heavy Rain

I can't resist our native sea grasses. These line our beach and are proudly posing against a glowing sun as it sets. After an entire day of heavy, pounding rain, the sky cleared and the temperature began to drop. But at this moment, all that matters is the glorious sun bidding us adieu.

Visit Skywatch Friday to see the beauty and wonders of the world's most magnificent skies. It's always an amazing show and all brought to you by Skywatchers from all over the planet.

Don't mess with a pelican's steel girder

Do you see the look I'm getting. This fine-looking and I'm sure friendly Florida pelican was giving me a serious evil eye. And, no, I did not try to get closer.

Platt Street Bridge is well adorned

Drivers quickly passing over the one-way Platt Street Bridge over the Hillsborough River to downtown would never guess what fine and interesting artwork lies just beneath them. No, I'm not suggesting they slow to take a better look. The many visiting college rowing crews leave their mark on bridges, such as this one built in 1926, and on the seawalls that line the riverfront. It's part of a long tradition they continue as a fun and colorful way to proclaim to all that they were here. May the athletes and their creative endeavors long endure.

So-o-o inviting my wife could move right in and call it home

Even driving by in the late evening we find Wiliams-Sonoma (visit them online HERE) to be such a warm and welcoming place to visit and shop. No matter the season, or cooking experience level, they have a huge selection, love to help and have such great gifts...Valentine's Day? Perfect. There has got to be a chocolate cake in there somewhere.

Sailboat réflexion du jour

This sailboat is tied up at the city docks directly across from Tampa General Hospital (in the background.)

Tree (or cellphone tower) at sunset?

What, no satellite dish?

Weird and Wacky in Metal

Rustic Steel Creations is always good for color, fun and imaginative objects and photos galore...even in the rain. The incredible metalworking shop sits in a 7,000 sq. ft. space on 12th Street in Tampa's Channel District. Visit their website HERE.

The Calm of the Late Evening

WATERY Wednesday #73

Welcome but please wipe your boat shoes before stepping on board. Oh, and you can grab your life jacket, too. (Across the channel you can see the newest parking garage built on Davis Island for Tampa General Hospital.)

Click HERE to see other wet and Watery Wednesday images from around the world.

Jose Gasparilla resting at sunset

The warmth of the setting sun is washing over the notorious pirate ship Jose Gasparilla. She is rocking gently now and resting at the Tampa Convention Center following last Saturday's Gasparilla invasion and parade. The swashbuckling Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla and their ship led the flotilla up the channel to another successful invasion and capture of the city.

The Gasparilla Aftermath: Beads, Bottles and Comfy Seats