“Live the Life you’d be envious of if you saw someone else living it.” — Olivia Munn

christ-church-longwood.jpg

 

Did you know the historical  town (city?) of

Longwood, Fl

is having a Festival this next weekend Nov. 19 & 20, 2022   and I wanted you to be aware of it so you wouldn’t miss the fun.

I also didn’t want you to miss a treasure at  the site pictured above on Chuch St.

Christ Church

One of—if not the oldest church  in Seminole County–

They will have BBQ available outside from 10 am – closing.  But why stop there????  There’s more:

Christ Church

the Church itself

Check the info for the day below for the times when they will be giving tours of the building that dates to the early 1880’s.

 

And you’re welcome to Church Service on Sunday at 11 am.

 

 

Besides the Church there’s

Parrish Hall

Where you’ll be able to purchase breakfast (7 am – 11 am) and lunch (11 am – 2:30 pm)

 

And while you’re there check the Pottery, Arts and Crafts that are on offer and don’t forget Granny’s Attic.  Did I mention  the Baked Goods and Raffles?

 

 

                                     CHRIST CHURCH                                          151 WEST CHURCH AVENUE                               LONGWOOD, FL, 32750,

Click here for the full Festival Details:

Longwood Arts & Crafts Festival FAQs

Longwood-Arts-Crafts-event-banner-2022-1024x576

 

PLAN A VISIT

The Polish-American Sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski detonated the first blast of dynamite on Thunderhead Mountain in the Black Hills of South Dokota on June 3, 1948.  His goals:  Create an enormous carving of Crazy Horse riding a horse triumphantly out of the mountain.  It would, when finished, be the largest sculpture ever made, more than eight times the height of Egypt’s Great Sphinx of Giza.  When Ziolkowski died in 1982 at 74, the Crazy Horse Memorial was still not even close to being completed.

Over The Top?      By Brian Reed

                     Things to do in the Black Hills

 

 

 

Best Things to See & Do in Boscastle & Tintagel

 

 

Hakodate

Built on a narrow strip of land betwen Hakodate Harbour to the west and the Tsugarn Strait in the east.  Hakodate under the Kanagawa Treat of 1854, the city was one of the first parts to open up to international traders, and as such a small forgien community.  That influence can still be seen in Matomachi district, a steep hillside that’s sprinkled with European buildings and churches; the waterfront lined with red brick warehouses; and in the nostalgic streetca that still makes the rounds in the city.

Lonely Planet:  Japan

 

 

Best Places to Visit in Japan

 

 

Aerial view of Old Sarum in England

Postcard from Old Sarum, Wiltshire | England Drone Footage

Visiting Old Sarum (Old Salisbury)

is an evocative experience:  People have lived on this windswept hilltop off and on for 5000 years.  The enormous  banks and ditches which surround the site were created through tremendous co-operative efforts, by prehistoric people who needed to protect themselves and their cattle.  The Romans had a settlement of some kind here, and several Roman roads converge on the site.  In Saxon times a town grew up within the prehistoric ramparts.  It was strengthened against the Vikings and escaped attack by the Danish king Sweyn, who sacked neighbouring towns  in 1003.                                                                        Old Sarum–English Heritage

 This site is easily accessed from Salisbury, which you can see from it’s heights—-it is an amazing site and so I thought I’d give you some virtuals to hook up to and really see it.

A Few of theThings to see

Norman Castle

 

 

Old Sarum Walk. The Norman castle and Iron Age hillfort near …

Cathedral

 

 

Old Sarum Castle And Cathedral – Salisbury’s Original

 

Wicklow Mountains Virtual Tour

Greystones/Delangy.Jukciike:  Greystones is situated 29km from Dublin City, between the Sugarloaf Mountain and the Irish Sea.  It is on the DART line, which means easy access to Dublin.  Kilcoole is situated between Greystones and Newcastle and is close to the sea.  It is one of the most famous villages in Ireland as it doubled as the fictional village of Glenroe in the long running RTE TV series.  Attractions close by (click on each):  Altidore Castle,     Greystones Harbour,     National Gardens Exhibition Centre,   Greystones     Bray,              Glenroe Open Farm

Discover Ireland:  Wicklow

 

 

 

 

 

Dartmoor Myths & Legends:  Pixies, Ghosts, Witchcraft And Weird Happenings

Dartmoors Westman’s Wood:  Walking thru this dense tangle of stunted ancient oak woodland you might feel as if you’ve stepped into a fairy tale, on the limb at the brink of enchantment by a waggish wizard or else an ambush by a touchy troll.  Gnarled branches sprawl between granite boulders, and all are dressed from top to toe in an emerald fur of moss and lichen.  It’s unsuprising that many say it is the most haunted place in Dartmoor.  The name of Wistman’s Wood, which could derive fom “wise man’s wood” or the dialect word meaning “eerie, also refers to the surrounding Nature Preserve which covers 420 acres and incorporates beautiful, panoramic views of wild Devon.  It’s also a great spot for watching woodpeckers and buzzards.

5 Things to do on Dartmoor

 

 

Things To Do When Visiting Dartmoor

“Beach Dunes”

Watercolor By Stewart Jones

30 x 40

Stewart Jones Is Featured Artist

In Ormond Beach

Jones is the November featured artist at Ocean Art Gallery in Ormond Beach. He has been showing work at this gallery for over 10 years. “This is the place where most of my beach paintings end up.” Jones says. Many of his beach paintings have been purchased from residents in this area looking to decorate their Florida homes with the Florida beach theme.

There will be an artist talk and demonstration by Jones on Thursday November 17 from 5:30-6:30

Just click here for more information::

at Ocean Art Gallery.

Where To See Roman London

 

Map of Mayfair, London

10-hidden-underground-sites-in-london

It is said that Mayfair in London gets its name from the Pagan Festival by the same name—-still celebrated in all parts of the world May Day was once the worship of the Horned God to celebrate fertility.  There are also texts saying that it was practiced in Greenwich.—in fact that there were two fairs there.   It alway interests me to see how many things we hold onto despite the number of years that have passed

EXPLORING THE PAST IN GREATER LONDON

 

Hornsey in North London and Hornchurch in Essex have names that are also is felt to be related to the very ancient and heathen times in London’s past and what they worshiped that is only remembered by the majority in names that probably mean nothing to them.

 

Guide To Medieval London: 20+ Things To Do And See

Set into the wall of an empty shop at 111 Cannon Street is an ornate iron grill; behind it stands an unremarkable lump of blackened and grimy limestone. This is the London Stone, and was used since at least the ninth century as a place to strike deals and swear oaths. Lord Mayors of London were sworn in here. It was venerated as being the very heart of London. When the rebel leader Jack Cade entered the city in 1450, his first act was to strike the London Stone with his staff as a symbol of his authority.

Ancient London Calling

The Gaurdian

 

The stone in its current cage.

     Literary Landmarks in Key West

Ernest Hemingway moved to this renaissance island in 1931 to fish, party and write.  Permanently establishing Key West’s reputation as the perfect place to do all three.  His example was followed by Tenesse Williams, Truman Capote, Thornton Wilde and so many others that, today Key West can boast more active writers, artists, musicians, actors, painters, craftsmen and  artisans per- square – mile than any other city in the world.

Key West Paradise

 

 

Also on Church Street in Longwood for your day in Longwood this weekend—check it out

www.cottagegiftshopinlongwoodfla.com

Oh and that’s this stores front porch as our main picture.

 

 

 

Plan Your Visit

One particular seat in the Glamis Castle chapel is always reserved for the ‘Grey Lady’ the ghost of the unfortunate Janet Douglas said to inhabit the castle.  The Six Lord Glamis married Lady Janet Dougas in 1528.  Janet was accussed of treason for bringing her father’s supporters to Edinburgh.  She was then charged with poisoning her husband who had died that year and in 1537 she was burned as a witch.

 

Choose your Adventure: 13 Things to do in Angus

Tropical Storm Nicole Leaves Two Dead, 200,000 Without Power in Florida New York Times

I hope you all that were here in Florida for the windy woman’s  (Nichole) visit stayed high and dry and all your property unflooded and intact—-

And I also say–hey Mom Nature can we PLEASE have a quiet, dry and unstormy rest of 2022 and the same for 2023 please

 

 

 

Nicole churns up Lake Monroe in Sanford

 

 

As my readers know my last episode was on the re-opening of the Central Fl. Zoo 

 

(That’ my ticket above by the way)

and then Nichole comes along and flooding the town of Sanford all over again—I haven’t YET found any info on the status of the zoo–other than it is closed thru Friday—but that was done before NIchole visited, so????

 

 

But I have sent an email to the Zoo and hope that they will let me and thus YOU all know.

 

 

Got this reply from Zoo:

In preparation for Tropical Storm Nichole, the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will be closed Wednesday, November 9th, through Friday, November 11th.

Our main priority is the safety of our animals, staff, and patrons. Please stay safe!  We are following our protocols, and we are closely monitoring the storm. We will reopen when it is safe to do so.

 

Please watch our social channels for updates.

 

 

OK finally:

Central Florida Zoo reopening after Nicole—

 

ZOO WILL REOPEN ON SATURDAY, 11/12

Get the kids young and old and enjoy a day with all manner of animals (not the kids the zoo occupants).

 

 

 

ASIAN LANTERN FESTIVAL: INTO THE WILD

coming soon.

 

Central Florida Zoo Asian Lantern Festival 2022

 

 

 

Over 54,00 Square Feet of Fun, Memories, and Enjoyment!:  No museum is quite like the Showmen’s Museum 

Riverview, Florida

There is still plenty to see in Showtown USA (Gibsonton has more nicknames than Sean “”Puff Daddy” Cobb—Oh and from the Diva—oh the address give Riverview as the town on the address.  But evidentally Gibsonwhich is not an actual postal name I guess).  The International Independent Showmen’s Association (IISA), comprised of more than 4,500 members in the outdoor amusement industry has a fantastic museum dedicated to the traveling show:  DIsplays include (this article is from 2017–so check their web site above for current ones) antique working rides such as the American Beauty merry-go-round and the first Ferris wheel in America.  If you want to ogle some “wonders of the world,” there’s a life-sized sideshow exhibit with mannequins in costumes and displays dedicated to legendary performers such as Johann Petursson, “the Viking Giant” who wore size 62 shoes and “the World’s Strangest Married Couple.” which was Al “the Giant” and Jeanie “the Half Girl”  Tornaini (He wa 8 foot 4 inches tall and she was 2 feet, 5 inches tall).  They even have a blackbeaded costume worn by burlesque Idol and cinema starlet Gypsy Rose Lee.  The museum is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 pm.

Orlando Sentinel Florida Spring Flings  5/14/2017:  Museum:  For Your Amusemnt–Hitorical Gibsonton

 

 

 

 

 

Edward I

Edward I:  The Hammer of the Scotts (boo–I’m Scottish)

 

Born in the former Palace of Whitehall the same one which the only part remaining is the Banqueting House

 

 

Visiting the Banqueting House

Outside this building another English King died—killed by Parliament not for his ineptitude but for his being unacceptiable to his Puritan Parliament.

 

 

 

 

He married Elanor of Castile in 1251 at

MONASTERY OF SANTA MARIA LA REAL DE LAS HUELGAS (click to get visiting information)

 Pl. Compás, s/n, 09001 Burgos, Spain

This is the main female Cistercian monastery in Spain and head of all those that were installed in the Crown of Castile.

 

 

William Wallace

The real William Wallace—Not that Mel guy

 

 

Scottish Borders History
William Wallace

KIng Edward  is reported to being known for dispensing Good Justice to his people—but while he was working with the English he was also conquering Wales and Scotland

The Scotts —-up above is Wallace. 

He was tried at Westminster Hall     Guildhall Yard, Off Gresham Street, London, Greater London EC2V 5AE England.

 

Plaque: Westminster Hall – William Wallace 

and

below is the memorial near his death site in Smithfield

Smithfield is easily accessible by both bus and rail

 

 

The Elms, Smithfield the Oldest Execution Spot in London

 

 

Memorial, William Wallace, Smithfield, London

 

The Coronation Chair

 

  Edward was the first son of Henry III and Eleanor a daughter of the Count of Savoy—He suceeded his father at age 34.  He was crowned at Westminster Abbey-— and he would place this coranation chair here in the abbey and place the Scottish Stone of Scone within its frame work.  Today you can see where he would have been crowned and you can see the chair—but the stone was returned to Scotland at the end of last century.

In Scotland it is:

 

 

 

THE STONE OF DESTINY

Edward was said to be an inch or two over 6′—which is tall even today but in his time we have been taught that it was REALLY TALL.  But new studies are contradicting the fact that the average men and women of earlier ages were normally much smaller.

 

 

STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS: How tall were the people of Medieval England? by Elizabeth Chadwick

He was never the less said to be superior to all other Christian Princes of his time in his practice of Arms, endowed with great strength and welding a sword expertly and with much strength.  A youth with silver blonde hair that later darkened in maturity and  lightened again in his older years to gray (or white?)  He is said to have had a droopy left eye and spoke with a lisp.

 

 

The Eleanor Crosses

 

eleanor_of_castile_lincoln_cathedral

 

 

Glendalough Tour, County Wicklow, Ireland 2019

 

 

 

 

things to do in fredericksburg, texas

 

 

Texas Ranger Museum & Buckhorn Saloon, Waco, Tx

 

 

 

TEXAS RANGERS HERITAGE CENTER AT FORT MARTIN SCOTT

 

 

8 Famous Texas Rangers

 

\

 

History of the Texas Rangers

 

 

 

 

10 Places Where You Can Still Experience Old Texas

 

Mission Concepcion (San Antonio)

British Gothic Ruin: Tintern Abbey!

Tintern Abbey—NE Chepstow, Gwent–Wales:  By far the best time to savour Tintern’s mystical atmosphere, is on a crisp autumn morning, shortley after sunrise when mist carpets the valley floor, sending tendrils swilly up golden wooded hillside.  About this time the day’s first coaches have not yet arrived to disgorge another batch of video tourists looking through view finders but seeing nothing. Abbeys & Monasteries

Derry Brabbs

 

Have a Great Weekend—get out there and enjoy life—live it just don’t watch it go by please—-go talk to the animals or walk with the flow—where ever you go stay safe, but sane is up to you.

The Central Florida Zoo was first established as the Sanford Zoo in 1923 when a rhesus monkey was given to the Elks Club in Sanford by a traveling circus.

 

 Welcome back to the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford, FL 

 

 

 

 

CHEETAH

 

Look carefully you can see both cats.

 

 

Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild Tickets

This particular episode of my blog is dedicated to that return!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

2019- The Inaugural Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild, was held at the Central Florida Zoo. In partnership with Tianyu Arts & Culture, 35 hand crafted illuminated lantern elements transformed the Zoo and more than 38,000 guests took part in the event.

 

 

Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild by the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

 

Asian Lantern Festival:  Into the Wild

November 18, 2022 – January 15, 2023!

The Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will transform at night into the Asian Lantern Festival: Into the Wild!

 

 

Experience the Zoo like you’ve never seen it before! See over 30 different, hand-constructed illuminated lantern displays around the Zoo on a 3/4 mile path. Celebrate the art, beauty and wonder of traditional Asian lantern festivals. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Guests of all ages can enjoy this unique event. Tickets must be purchased online. Limited tickets are available per night.

Select nights November 18, 2022 through January 15, 2023, 6-10 p.m.

Please note the main picture above is the entrance to the zoo with it’s decor for this Asian event

The little ghost —smaller picture above is left from Halloween which the staff where picking up on the day of my visit.

 

 

 Flooding forces Central Florida Zoo to close

 

 

 

 

Central Florida Zoo still closed due to Hurricane Ian flooding; here’s how you can help

 

 

 

 

CENTRAL FLORIDA ZOO & BOTANICAL GARDENS TO REOPEN WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26

And the pictures you see here are from our visit to the zoo on that opening day.

 

 

Sponsored by VyStar Credit Union

All veterans and active military get in the Zoo FREE on Friday, November 11 and Saturday, November 12. Veterans and active military members will also get buy-one-get-one tickets for up to 6 tickets (buy 3, get 3)*. Thank you for your service!

 

 

 

 

Know Before You Go – Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seminole Aerial Adventures Tickets

It’s at the zoo

 

 

I was so glad to be there the first day back and was over-joyed at the number of people that attended in the middle of the week—it was wonderful……

 

 

 

I even got to pet a snake—I don’t have problems with snakes as long as they don’t have fangs and are not big enough to wrap around me 10 times—Oh and I forgot what kind it was….but its one of the C admission.

 

 

Where we are located

 

 

 

LENGTHY LIZARD

 

 

 

Of course Alligators are mandatory for Florida—infact as close as they are to Lake Monroe I’d be suprised if they could keep them out.

 

REPTILES

 

 

 

RARER AND RARER

 

 

 

Discovery Courtyard for Storytime at the Zoo!

Enjoy animal stories at the Zoo along with a special visit from one of our ambassador animals. Programs will be presented by the Orange County Library System storytellers. This free program is designed for pre-school-age children.

Please note that this event is rain or shine, and will be moved inside during inclement weather.
Zoo admission is not included or required to attend.

 

 

 

MEET PJ

PJ is the Central Florida Zoo’s resident greater one-horned rhino. There are five extant species of rhinos: black rhino, white rhino, greater one-horned rhino, Sumatran rhino, and Javan rhino. Today, few wild rhinos survive outside of national parks and reserves.

 

 

From zoo website:

DID YOU KNOW?A rhino’s horn is not bone, but rather made of a protein called keratin. Keratin is found in your hair and nails, the feathers of birds, and the quills of porcupines!

 

 

FACTS

I have seen this animal twice and both times he was in the water….the last time a mother was trying to tell her young son that this was a rhino—while he kept insisting he was a hippo.

 

 

 

 

THE WORLD’S BIGGEST POLLINATOR

 

Giraffes are the tallest land mammal in the world, and serve an important role in their environment as a pollinator and seed disperser. As giraffes move from treetop to treetop, pollen gets stuck to their ossicones, and is transferred between trees, aiding in pollination! Giraffe droppings usually contain seeds that can germinate and grown into a new tree.

 

 

There are two giraffes but I only got pictures of my fav who was hanging out where he was easy to photograph.    He’s actually messing with a small limb that Ian put at the side of his enclosure and he seemed to enjoy it as much as many of the dogs I have had who also enjoyed chewing on this type of thing.

 

MAMMALS

 

 

 

 

Giraffe Feeding Attraction | Meet the Zoo’s Tallest Residents

 

 

 

 

PRIVATE EXPERIENCES:  Make the most of your next Zoo visit.

 

 

 

 

 

WHARTON-SMITH TROPICAL SPLASH GROUND  A splashing good time for the whole family.

 

 

SOUTH AMERICA’S PACK ANIMAL

 

 

 

THE MOST CRITICALLY ENDANGERED BIG CAT

 

 

 

AFRICAN CRESTED PORCUPINE

 

 

 

BIRDS

 

 

 

 

GET INVOLVED

 

 

 

 

 

Gardens throughout the Zoo

 

 

 

EDUCATION

 

 

Subscribe to the Zoo’s Newsletter!

 

 

FUN IN THE BARNYARD