Sticker Shock

The day after I posted last month's gas photo, the price shot up 10-cents -- in a matter of hours.  Then, it increased another 10-cents over the next couple of days.  What the heck?!  So, now we're facing $3.89.  That's up 44-cents in one month.  Any guesses what the price was one year ago?  $3.69 --- up 20-cents.   

G is for Gown

It's high season in Sarasota.  That means all of our seasonal residents are here, plus tourists, and every social event imaginable is scheduled between now and Easter, including oodles of balls and galas.  Ladies looking for something special to wear to that social event of the season may find themselves here at Foxy Lady on St. Armands Circle. 

When I first drove by this display in the evening, I thought it would be a good photo opp for the letter G.  Not having time that night, I returned later during the daytime.  Ugh --- I was so disappointed!  The windows were not conducive for shooting in the daylight.  My pictures were hazy.  So, I left.   Wouldn't you know it...when I drove by a short time later, after dark, it caught my attention again.  So, I set up my tripod and...voila!  So much better than my daytime attempt.  The lack of sunlight seemed to do the trick.  Naturally...evening shot for evening wear.   (That being said, I think she could use some accessories.)  If you'd like to see how other bloggers around the world interpreted the letter 'G', visit ABC Wednesday.

Stealthy Observer

Great Blue Herons can be quite stealthy, especially considering their size.  When I was at the New Pass Bait & Grill recently taking pictures of egrets, I turned around and was a bit startled to see this large guy standing a few feet behind me near a picnic table.  I guess he was patiently waiting for his close-up.  Here you go, Mr. GBH!

Going Vertical: 4th Floor

We're now on the fourth floor of the Palm Ave. Parking Garage as we continue our tour of 'Going Vertical', a public art program of themed murals within the garage.  The theme for this floor is...music.  I really like the funky, dazzling display of color in this one.  And, look at that puffy cheek!  It seems as though he's blasting the color right off the wall.  Check out other murals at Monday Mural.

Out With The Old

When I posted this photo in December 2011, showing Sarasota Hardware and commenting that it had been a mainstay in downtown for 77 years, who knew it would be out of business within the year?!  Yep, the owners closed up shop this past fall.  Most people suspected "the big box stores" did the family business in.  Au contraire, said the owner.  In a newspaper article he stated it was a lack of development downtown which led to the closing.  Storefronts on Main Street are rarely empty for long.  Sure enough, within a couple of months, another business moved in.  Any guesses?  It's something that's been featured on SDP before....

A Tube Dube showroom is now there.  When I visited the place during a recent Saturday, it was busy with lots of people checking out Tube Dude golfers, sailors, photographers, mailboxes and pretty much anything you can dream up.  Business must be going well for the Tube Dude to open a showroom on Main Street.

Tube Dude Pets

Tube Dude artwork has been featured many times before on SDP.  (Click the label below to see previous posts.)  In the past, I've shown the standard smiling stick figures, which are pretty common to see around Sarasota nowadays.  But, these Tube Dudes, located in front of Bee Ridge Veterinary Clinic, caught my eye and prompted me to pull over for a photo opp.  This is Tube Dude waiting for Tube Doggie to take care of business apparently before seeing the doctor.  And, for those who are more feline friendly....

...here's Tube Kitty, having a good stretch on a flagpole just feet away from Tube Doggie.  Very clever indeed. The man behind the Tube Dude creations used to build yachts here in Sarasota but reinvented himself when the economy tanked several years ago. You can read his story by clicking here.

Winter Drive

The winter sky was so beautiful last night, I just didn't mind pausing an extra minute for a red light.  I'm linking to Skywatch Friday.  TGIF!