Shrimpapalooza 2013

My favorite Old Homosassa Parade was held Saturday. (Yeah, it’s the only Old Homosassa street parade.)

We started out the day with some excitement just getting there.  Terry went to Wesley Chapel to pick up the two older grandkids that live there, Courtney and Justin, so they could enjoy the parade and festival with us.  The streets were closing at 10 am so we knew it would be a race to get back home before the deadline.  Terry made it to Smokin’ Mos which was pretty close to the beginning of the parade so I walked down to meet them. And he had the wrong kids–Kendall and Jack!  Surprise!  But he had Courtney and Justin’s clothes. I’ve given up trying to figure all that out. Since we were at the restaurant anyhow, we had breakfast at Smokin’ Mos and waited for the fun to start.

This parade has all the necessary ingredients for success.

A band!

Shrimpapalooza 2013
Crystal River High School Band

Floats!

Shrimpapalooza 2013
Who is Chad Crawford?

Shrimpapalooza 2013

Shrimpapalooza 2013

Shrimpapalooza 2013

Golf Carts!

Shrimpapalooza 2013
Those pink ladies on the back are shrimp. Lots of shrimp depicted in the shrimpapalooza!

Shrimpapalooza 2013

Shrimpapalooza 2013
Hey, that’s Kathy Beck! She must be famous!

Spectators

Shrimpapalooza 2013
Glad we already ate breakfast because it looks like everyone that works at Smokin’ Mos is out here!
Shrimpapalooza 2013
Yep, there’s Carol and Cristine! And the rest of the crew was in the parade!
Shrimpapalooza 2013
Hey, there’s a bunch of our neighbors!
Shrimpapalooza 2013
Wow! Those are some cute kids!

We didn’t make it to the festival since Kendall (almost 5) told me she was “weared out” (probably from wearing all those beads) and wanted to go P-L-A-Y at our house.  (A recent thing with Kendall, she likes to spell things out for me)  But the parade was fun, fun, fun.  And by the end of the day playing with Jack and Kendall, I was “weared out”, too.

 

It’s Spring!

The best time of the year in Florida.  Well, at least that’s my opinion.

We had a really mild winter but the month of March has been crazy cold on some days and beautiful on others.  I don’t go out when it’s under 60.  Seriously, that’s cold!  But on those nice days I’ve been in the yard and gardens working and taking pictures, of course!

Here’s a few snaps from my bird feeders,

It's Spring!
Northern Cardinal
I think that these are two female or immature male American Goldfinches.  Could be wrong.  But I was trying to get a picture of a beautiful bird with yellow body and black wings which was definitely an American Goldfinch. These two look just like the bright one, just a little duller.
I was trying to get a picture of a beautiful American Goldfinch that would not hold still for me.  These two showed up a little later and posed very nicely.  They look just like the American Goldfinch but not as bright so I’m guessing they are two female or immature male American Goldfinches. I’m waiting for an opinion from my Audubon buddy.
It's Spring!
Tufted Titmouse (whoever came up with that name?)

The hummingbirds came back this week.  Or maybe they’ve been here but I just remembered to put up the feeder.  They wouldn’t hold still for a photo moment, though.

And one final picture for today…

It's Spring!
This squirrel came down to ask me when I would be planting tomatoes. I told her ‘never mind little missy, no tomatoes for your dining pleasure this year!’