Jacksonville, Florida

Angry Babies Sketch

A warm up sketch on my iPad. Gonna try and keep this entire site mobile, we shall see how it goes!

Very good!

Check out Cook Bros. Comics !

South Beach, Florida

Heartafire jogging on South Beach.

Looks like you are really kicking up some sand!

Check out Heartafire’s Blog !

Boca Raton, Florida

“Sometimes it’s a good idea to shut down logic and just play or dance out in the rain, especially when you can do so with a kid! Let the rain wash your problems away, at least for a few minutes. It can be mentally freeing, and even fun!”

A very good idea!

Check out Broken Light: A {Mental Health} Photography Collective !

Anna Maria Island, Florida

It’s been a chilly week in England; the rain was expected, but I’m more surprised by the fact that it keeps hailing. Over the winter, I coped with the cold by thinking of our 110-degree stay in Las Vegas over the summer. And now, as my teeth chatter during my wanders around Birmingham, I can’t help thinking about a very warm day that I had last month during my stay in Florida.

As somebody who doesn’t like swimming, dislikes spending too much time in the sun because of sensitive skin, and is actively terrified of going in the ocean (our beach vacations have always coincided with sting ray mating season), I shouldn’t have had much motivation for wanting to spend a day on Anna Maria Island. However, I was in a mood for some sort of adventure, and I decided that an afternoon at the beach was just what I needed.

After slathering myself with sunscreen and grabbing a big sunhat, I was ready for a day with the sand, the ocean, and my Josh. We started our trek at the north tip of the island, determined to wander along and find as many scenic views as possible.

The views of the ocean were beautiful. Despite my fear of swimming in them, I absolutely love being near oceans, and the Gulf Coast of Florida was no different. And after a cold, dry winter in Ohio, I was very glad for warm weather on a beach.

Awesome shot, and proof that you don’t have to be a surfer or a swimmer to enjoy the beach!

Check out …love, elizabeth !

Palm Harbor, Florida

Great drawing!

Check out Out Of My Mind Images !

Boynton Beach, Florida

“Everyone goes through difficult times in their lives — stress, loss, depression, anxiety. I have been to the depths of all of those darknesses and more, but have somehow come back each time. Hence my phoenix tattoo; a forever reminder to rise from the ashes of whatever my darkness may be at any given time.

You can and will rise too, no matter how dark things may seem!”

A great reminder and beautiful shot!

Check out Broken Light: A {Mental Health} Photography Collective !

Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida

While I was driving through Big Cypress National Preserve, I kept seeing large insects on the road. I had no idea what they were, only that they were far larger than the insects I would see at home in Indiana (and therefore rather terrifying to someone who is not too fond of insects). Part way through the drive, I stopped at a welcome center for the preserve, and saw this (dead) fellow on the ground and realized that the large insects were giant grasshopper-like insects. I didn’t have a good item to use for reference on the size of the insect, so I used what was immediately available: my big toe.

Not sure at all what it is, but it looks pretty big!

Check out Travels with Choppy !

Delray Beach, Florida

“Photo taken by a Broken Light Collective contributor with a mood disorder who experiences severe depression, anxiety, and panic attacks. She enjoys taking photos to express herself and her moods and emotions.

In her words: Sometimes it is easy to hold on to negative thoughts and feelings, but I know that those thoughts and feelings can be toxic, and that I need to let them go. I need to let them be washed away like waves over sand, so that I can be a healthy and productive person, and keep the important people in my life. I must fight to cultivate and nurture loving relationships, even when everything inside of me wants to shut down and push everyone away. I must learn to let myself fully love and be loved, and to let go of everything that keeps me from achieving that.“

Broken Light: A Photography Collective: wwwbrokenlightcollective.com

Beautiful shot, and very determined words!

Clearwater, Florida

Underwater Art

I love these photos from the 1930′s to 1950′s by Bruce Mozert.  I have a dream of getting an underwater attachment for my camera. He inspires me! Enjoy!

Fantastic shots! They were pretty creative in those days, would love to know how he did it!

Check out creativetrinity !

Boynton Beach, Florida

There’s a semi-amusing joke about where the soul goes when it dies. Christians may go to either heaven or hell (depending on their saint/sinner behavior), Jews go to Florida.

Welcome to South Florida.

…after years of visiting the geriatric paradise that is South Florida, I am forced to admit that I actually kind of love it here. Who would have thought that the simple joys of the  78 degree weather and the sight of a palm tree would bring such bliss to my life? Maybe I really have a 72-year-old soul trapped in a 22-year-old body. The stress of the urban, freezing, northeast life has been cured with afternoon naps by the pool and a casual tennis game with a local. My insomnia has transformed into a distant memory as I now sleep over ten hours a day.

I think about the rat race of everyone else in their 20s, the constant anxiety revolved around the unsolvable question: “What the fuck am I doing?” and I feel that I have discovered the what I should actually do with the rest of my life. How great would it be to skip all of the bullshit in the middle and just go straight to the golden age of retirement? I could easily spend everyday burning in the sun, reading under a palm tree, getting my skin pruney in the hot tub (need to match the locals, right?) Do I really need the constant stress of finding a job, paying back loans, and figuring my shit out?

Of course, the residents of the retirement community look at me with disgust when I explain my brilliant plan. What kind of hoodlum am I to think I could be rewarded with something they spend their whole lives working for? Don’t I know that they struggled through wars, economic depressions, and the death of John F. Kennedy, jr  just to make it to their golden years? I my blush at my naive idea of finding happiness at such an early age, mumble something incoherent, and walk shamefully to the pool. I sit on the edge and swish my legs back and forth through the clear, turquoise water. I’m in purgatory.

Photo: AES

Life remains a puzzle for everyone no matter how well we seem to have it together. You will be fine!

Check out brokebutfree !

Palm Beach, Florida

Never on a Tuesday … for I shall spend that day pondering.

Great image!

Check out thedailysnug !

 

Tampa, Florida

Barefoot Sandals

Barefoot Sandals are perfect for the summertime and the beach!! Shop now. Click on the Visit my store link!

Cute sandal!

Check out Peace, Love & Healing with Kristina !

Boynton Beach, Forida

“Wet baby toes are so super cute. In the midst of winter blues (that will hopefully be over soon), when I see this I am hopeful that spring and summer will bring fun times and smiles once again.”

Ah, cutie toes lol

Check out Broken Light: A Photography Collective !

Palm Harbor, Florida

this is a foot/toe doodle of my actual foot/toes…I’m also sending “trapped” man…with his cutielicious 3 toes per foot

Those are really some pretty good doodles!

Check out Out Of My Mind Images !

Naples, Florida

I came across this beautiful quote today by Robert Tew that really landed with me, “Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.” It’s definitely easier said than done, but it’s something that I am implementing into my life and yoga practice. I’m feeling very inspired and just had to get on my hands!

Wishing everyone a beautiful and inspired day!

Great shot, wish we could do that!

Check out Andrea Paola Yoga Blog !