Signs...

For many years I have been intrigued by headlines and signs.  There are two clippings from the local newspaper on our refrigerator right now: one reads "Man Turns Himself Into Police"(an interesting magic stick to be sure...and it does not even indicate the involvement of a phone booth) and the other is an ad that says "2 Dozen Large Males $40" (I am sure that one could be of interest to a number of young females).

I love the way our language is used. Words imply so many different things and the messages we put out there can be very amusing at times.  One of the things I enjoy doing is to look for signs in relationship to other signs. My all time favorite was in Towson, Maryland several years ago at one of the strip malls.  There were two businesses next to each other - actually sharing a building. Picture this:  "Raver's Fine Meats" immediately next to "Towson Animal Hospital."  Mr. Raver, the butcher, had a great reputation, but I could never make myself go in there!

Recently on our spring break vacation I spotted these road signs.  Like the aforementioned signs which really had nothing to do with one another, I am trying NOT to treat these as being connected...but I had to put them in my sketchbook.

There is something about 'Lovers Lane' and 'Dead End' on the same pole...   its gotta make you smile!

Spring Break

Last week we were on "Spring Break." For the past couple of years, my daughter and her husband have invited us to spend this vacation time with their family in Florida - they love the beach...and this spring we were again blessed with fabulous weather!  Daytime temperatures in the 80's - cooler at night.  LOTS OF SUNSHINE!

Most of the days are spent on the beach and/or in the pool with occasional 'outings' to play miniature golf, shop or, this year, a trip to the Naples Zoo.  It's a fun time to be with family and really 'hang out.'

Every year I take my sketchbook.  Last year all the girls wanted to draw/paint in it.  This year there was hardly any interest in that, but I did do a few sketches...just because I have to!

The place that they have rented is a nice sized house on the beach with a smaller house in the back  - a grandparent suite.

There are plantings everywhere and pathways lined with stones.

The pool is between the big and little houses.  The girls spent many hours here and practiced doing flips off the side.

Lizards abound...all sizes and darting around everywhere!  One evening (after we had gone to bed) the girls found a tiny one in the bedroom!  That must have caused a bit of commotion. I understand that their mother wisely put a plastic cup over it, slipped a piece of paper under the cup and released it outside...after they took a picture of the culprit.

 
A FUN time for us all.  Thanks for including us again this year!