Four Pin Friday

A definite highlight of our trip to Florida . . .

the colors and creativity of Leoma Lovegrove!!

Here is the entrance to her gallery on Pine Island

I couldn't stop taking photos in her wild and whacky back yard.  It is just crazy and a must see for anybody travelling to that part of Florida.  Here are only a few of the many Pinterest offerings from her gallery . . .

You get the feeling that whatever doesn't move, she applies her artistic talents to






If these pieces grab you, please check out her amazing artwork on Pinterest.  It will brighten your day and give you a feel for that part of the world!

Florida Wildlife

This is my last post on our Florida trip

I promise!

 feeding the pelicans

 These were our next door neighbors at Mikki's house.  They are protected burrowing owls and took up the lots on both sides of our home away from home.  They seemed to know that we would  only bother them for photos and they were happy to pose for our cameras.

 

 Another eager model was this white egret who loved the attention

and t.o.b. enjoyed this statue outside of Leoma Lovegrove's gallery so much that he insisted on snapping it!

Pine Island

If I lived in Florida, Matlacha would be my ultimate Happy Place to go to when life was getting me down!

Leoma Lovegrove's gallery and fun palace.  After you've ooohed and ahhhed over the artwork inside the gallery (no pix allowed) this happens out the back door . . .

Those "toadstools are all made from blue bottles

 Who knew you could actually paint tree trunks?

 "ON THIS SITE IN 1827

NOTHING HAPPENED"

 If only I had room in my suitcase!

 Leoma's getaway trailer

Part 6 of Florida trip

 

The Estate Gardens

The Old Boy took some amazing photos at the Edison~Ford Estate Gardens with his new Canon camera.  Believing that a picture is worth a thousand words, I give you . . .

Part 5 of Florida trip

After the storm

Our previous tickets were validated so, after a few days, we went back to the Edison~Ford Winter Estates for another go at it.  This time the weather cooperated and gave us a sunny warm day.

And we were glad we returned!

Here are some views of the Thomas A Edison winter estate . . .

This is the side yard.  As you can see (if you enlarge this photo) our only access to the inside was through the windows on the first floor.  They were halfway open so that we could take pictures of the late 19th century original decor.

  

and some pictures of the Henry Ford estate . . .

Stay tuned for pictures of the fantabulous gardens!

Part 4 of Florida trip

Edison & Ford Winter Estates

Our first trip to the fabulous Museum/Gardens/Homes of Thomas A Edison and Henry Ford was a bust.  We were trapped in the Museum because of tornado warnings, heavy winds and downpours.  Not allowed to view the grounds or the estates!

As we entered the grounds and before we were confined to the buildings, these trees took our breath away . . .

The grounds are strewn with banyan trees.  This one is world famous and covers almost an acre in diameter.  It is considered to be the largest in the continental United States . . .

 The original tree, as it grows, drops its branches which take root and form new trunks.  This all came from one planting!
 

Several banyans had these hanging from chains on them.  Would like to know the name of the plant.  If you know, would you please comment here?

Part three of Florida trip 

Lunch Cruise

My good friend Jeannie and classmates Emma and Fran, with their husbands, met us for a cruise out of Naples, FL.  The weather was perfect and the water sparkled as we slowly passed by opulent homes along the shores.

These are only a few of the mansions that line this causeway.  Ahhh the one percenters do live lavishly!

Our friendly Captain Dave at the wheel

and part of the class of '56 . . . me, Fran, Jeannie and Emma . . . celebrating with Margueritas

While we were inside having lunch, these pelicans were begging scraps out on the water

It was a wonderful day catching up with my classmates.  Fran is a bit of a class historian and has all kinds of info about the lives, deaths, divorces, etc. of people from Crosby~Ironton High School whom I hadn't connected with in all these 58 years.

part 2 of Florida trip