And So It Begins

Kicking off the holiday season with the traditional unraveling of the Christmas tree lights!

Merry Christmas!

This neon green sign is iconic in Ft. Myers.  It's been in the front yard of a private residence along McGregor Boulevard, a busy road through the city, since 1943 when George H. Gruesbeck, a devout 7th Day Adventist, put it there.  A couple of years ago, though, the sign went dark.  Apparently, the property was in foreclosure and the owner at the time couldn't pay the electric bill.  Knowing how popular the sign is in the Ft. Myers community, the John E. & Aliese Price Foundation Inc. of Ft. Myers stepped up and made the necessary arrangements for a separate electric meter to be installed just for the sign -- and agreed to pay the electric bill in perpetuity.  At the time, the story made national news.  You can read about it in this USA Today article.  

Before the sign was re-lit, it was refurbished and an extra bit of text honoring the man behind it was added.  (When the sign was temporarily removed for refurbishing, I noticed its absence almost immediately and started asking around, "What happened to the God is Love sign?")  I've wanted to photograph this sign for quite awhile.  And, it was quite a challenge!  Neon is difficult, isn't it?!  Hope everyone in the blogosphere is enjoying a wonderful Christmas.  Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

I spotted this pretty stained glass lighting up the outside of Rumple Presbyterian Church in downtown Blowing Rock, North Carolina in October and figured I'd save it for the Christmas season.  Beautiful scene, isn't it?!  Merry Christmas, everyone!

Wreaths Across America

"Isn't it beautiful!" That's what a visitor to the Sarasota National Cemetery exclaimed to me as she admired the Christmas wreaths adorning every grave. For the fourth year, the Sarasota Military Academy spearheaded this local initiative which is part of a national program called 'Wreaths Across America'.  Each wreath costs $15 and the school raised $75,000 to cover the expense of providing one wreath for each of the 5,000 tombstones. Great program! To learn more about the national program  visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

Ushering in Christmas

I attempted to be discreet while documenting this scene with my phone in the grocery store: eggnog already stocked on the shelves the day before Halloween! I love, love, love (read: LOVE) eggnog and Christmas, but...before Halloween? Perhaps we should dispense with the dates and seasons and just celebrate year round.  Green eggnog for St. Patrick's Day anyone?

Palm Present

A gift wrapped palm tree under sunny blue Sarasota skies for my blogger friends in colder climates to enjoy.

Go Green

This ornament was spotted on someone's tree in Sarasota. Coincidentally, college football bowl selections were announced last night.  #7 Michigan State University will head to the Sunshine State for the Capital One Bowl right down the road in Orlando on New Year's Day to take on Alabama.  The Spartan nation and love for Sparty extends around the globe including right here at SDP.   It's anticipated the entire SDP staff will be given the day off to partake in the Spartan festivities.  Go Green!  

Editor's Note:  Due to forgetful SDP staff leaving a key piece of computer equipment  80 miles away, this photo was taken with a primitive cell phone.  Darn.  The Quality Control Division of SDP is launching a full investigation into matter.  Meanwhile, efforts are underway to minimize the impact on the CDP community.  

'Tis the Season (Already)

Yep...the bird hasn't even been cooked and the Christmas decorations are out ---- and lit up.  I spotted Dionysus under a neon bow Monday night on St. Armands Key.  When I noticed the crews putting up the decorations in the afternoon, I wondered whether they would wait to light them.  Now we know the answer.  Dionysus seems to be quite festive this year.  For those of you who don't recall, this is what he looked like at Halloween.