The Sullivans

Posted on April 11, 2014 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

Last Thursday night our friends, Kirk and Laura, stopped by to visit before their flight out the next day. They brought a chocolate fudge cake from The Dessert Lady shop in Dr. Phillips and good gawd was it fantastic!

As we visited, it occurred to me that we did not have a photo of them with Cindy’s parents, so they were gracious enough to pose for this photo in front of the fireplace.

Kirk, Laura, Kay, Glendon

I have often told Cindy that if she ever divorces me I get her parents, lol. I should also add that I get the Sullivans.

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Social Media For Dogs

Posted on April 10, 2014 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

dog_social_media650px

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How To Make Small Talk

Posted on April 10, 2014 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

howtomakesmalltalk250pxThis video has a lot of good points and advice on how to make small talk with strangers and I have used most, if not all, of them when I have been forced to do so. But my preference is to just stand awkwardly by the punch bowl until the soirée is concluded.

 

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Rocky The Albino Squirrel

Posted on April 10, 2014 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

Last week Cindy and I were out walking through the neighborhood when I spotted an albino squirrel playing chase around the tree with another squirrel (you can see it on the left side of the tree).

I’ve never seen a white squirrel before and so I took several photos with my iPhone in case you’ve never seen one either. This is the best of the shots.

albino squirrel

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SunRail Tour

Posted on April 10, 2014 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

Last Thursday Cindy, her parents, and I were in the area of Florida Hospital for some appointments. We had some free time between those appointments, so we took the opportunity the tour the new SunRail Florida Hospital Station and SunRail train that was at the station for media and public display.

SunRail begins running on May 1st and will be free to all riders the first 2 weeks. The current route is between DeBary in Volusia County and Sand Lake Road at Orange Avenue in southern Orange County, with multiple stops at stations throughout the route. Travel time from one end of the route to the other is approximately 57 minutes. Free wi-fi is available on all cars.

Here are some photos from our tour.

All of the SunRail cars are the "double-decker" type.

All of the SunRail cars are the “double-decker” type.

Here's my lovely mother-in-law pointing out the convenient ticket machines.

Here’s my lovely mother-in-law pointing out the convenient ticket machines.

Some clueless doofus who walked into the photo of the engine car.

Some clueless doofus who walked into the photo of the engine car.

Now THAT'S an improvement. My beautiful wife in front of the engine car.

Now THAT’S an improvement. My beautiful wife in front of the engine car.

Each train has a car with the lower level designed for mobility-impaired passengers. The seats fold up so that those who are wheelchair-bound can have easy access to windows and room to maneuver.

Each train has a car with the lower level designed for mobility-impaired passengers. The seats fold up so that those who are wheelchair-bound can have easy access to windows and room to maneuver.

Here's the upper level seating.

Here’s the upper level seating.

Cindy's parents pose for a shot in front of the engine car.

Cindy’s parents pose for a shot in front of the engine car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Throwback Thursday – My Little Brother

Posted on April 10, 2014 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

Since I enjoyed such a wonderful visit  this past weekend with my younger brother (I stopped calling him my “little” brother a long, long time ago, but just had to do it for the post title, lol), Mark, at his home in Clearwater, I thought this would be an appropriate “Throwback Thursday” photo.

My brother appears to be 6 or 7 years old in this photo, which would place this sometime in 1968 or 1969. The wall heater on the left and scuffed rocker on the right are reminiscent of our grandparent’s home, though I can’t be sure. Maybe Mark can offer a memory of where and when this was taken.

Note the old rotary dial phone on the stand.

Mark Wetherington in 1968 or 1969

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How Do YOU Find Happiness?

Posted on April 9, 2014 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

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When Will Winter End?

Posted on April 9, 2014 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

hellowinter200pxFor my friends to the North who may identify with this video and enjoy the lyrics and music adapted from Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence” hit.

 

 

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Weeki Wachee With Heather & Abby

Posted on April 9, 2014 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

Last Wednesday Cindy and I took Abby and Heather over to one of the oldest tourist attractions in Florida, Weeki Wachee Springs (which is a bit of a repetitive name since “Weeki Wachee” means “Little Spring”) located in Hernando County in western Florida.

Weeki Wachee first opened in October of 1947. I remember my parents taking me when I was 7 or 8 years old and the mermaids are the only things I recall about the visit, though I am sure there were other parts of the attraction that I just can’t call to mind.

Here are some photos from the visit.

Heather and Abby standing in front of the entrance to Weeki Wachee.

Heather and Abby standing in front of the entrance to Weeki Wachee.

Abby and Heather waiting for the reptile show to begin. Abby appears to be practicing her dance moves...

Abby and Heather waiting for the reptile show to begin. Abby appears to be practicing her dance moves…

Heather petting the baby alligator VERY carefully.

Heather petting the baby alligator VERY carefully.

 

Abby petting the baby alligator's tail.

Abby petting the baby alligator’s tail.

About to enter the entrance to the Mermaid Theater for the first mermaid show.

About to enter the entrance to the Mermaid Theater for the first mermaid show.

Mermaid!!

Mermaid!!

Heather and Abby enjoying The Little Mermaid show.

Heather and Abby enjoying The Little Mermaid show.

Abby gets a photo with a mermaid.

Abby gets a photo with a mermaid.

Heather gets a photo with a mermaid.

Heather gets a photo with a mermaid.

Abby and Heather together with the mermaid.

Abby and Heather together with the mermaid.

After all the mermaid shows, animal shows, lunch and the river boat cruise, it was time to change to bathing suits and go swim in Buccaneer Bay spring, right next to the mermaid aquarium.

After all the mermaid shows, animal shows, lunch and the river boat cruise, it was time to change to bathing suits and go swim in Buccaneer Bay spring, right next to the mermaid aquarium.

Abby having fun swimming in the spring.

Abby having fun swimming in the spring.

Heather got a little water in her nose swimming underwater in the spring.

Heather got a little water in her nose swimming underwater in the spring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Happy Birthday Dad

Posted on April 9, 2014 by J.M. Wetherington Sr.

Dad, headshot, 325 pixelsToday would have been my late father’s 89th birthday.

My dad was not perfect, by any stretch of the imagination, especially the first 13 years of my life when he was a functional alcoholic. Even after he sobered up, and stayed sober for the remainder of his life, we still had the usual differences of opinion that fathers and sons have and sadly had a period of time many, many years ago where we did not speak to each other. But we healed our wounds and I always knew that my dad loved me and I believe he knew that I loved him.

I miss you dad, but I keep you in my heart.

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