Just Visiting: Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Traveling is something that I happen to enjoy a lot. So when my job recently informed me that I had a vacation slotted into the calendar I was both surprised and uncertain. I didn't know if there was anything I would be able to do while on vacation. But my parents had yet to leave for their winter home in Florida, and they made a fair argument that I should just go to Florida with them. So what ensued is a short vacation. We drove down along the east coast of the United States, stopping on occasion at various places. But I am getting off track.

One of the places that we visited is a place we visited when I was a kid. And I was happy to get to stop in and see it again.

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
4150 S Suncoast Blvd 
Homosassa, FL 34446

This is a park that hasn't really changed a lot, at least as far as my memory recalls it. It has a variety of different habitat areas prepared for the various animals that call the park home. Many of them were injured, or deemed unable to be released for a variety of reasons. But the park also does rehabilitation.

One animal that you are able to see in the park, that many people may consider to be stereotypical of the state are Flamingos.  Some may not be as vibrant pink as their plastic mimics found in the neighbors front garden. But they do have a lovely blush to them (most of them) making them a treat to see. Winter leaves a number of the animals in the Buffalo area to be more grey and dreary in appearance.

But probably the most interesting animal that we saw while we were there was the hippopotamus. They were planning to celebrate his 60th birthday last Friday. I honestly feel a bit surprised that he is that old. But I suppose that a Hippo is different in appearance to a human and it would be harder for us to tell what their age is without some sort of education.

The park itself is manageable in a days span, without rushing or pushing through. It is mostly handicap accessible, with a few exceptions. There is an underwater viewing area that only has access via a stairwell. This makes it difficult for those in a wheelchair to access, but it should not influence your trip in a negative manner on the most part.A visit to this state park is great for the whole family as it is both educational as well as interesting.

All in all it was a pleasant visit. I may update this with more about the visit later on. But right now my mind is a bit fuzzy, and tired. The weather change has been doing a number on my mind.

Music Monday: It's Been A While

I know it has been a while since I have posted on a regular schedule. But I am hoping that for the time being things have been straightened out. That being said you can expect to see a variety of posts coming up throughout the year covering a variety of topics.

I decided one thing I would like to do is pull some of the book "reviews" I had posted on an old blog out, and re-share them. Most of them were posted... around 7 or 8 years ago. So, there will be a bit of variance in the tone I guess. But I think it is interesting to think about what I was reading then in comparison to what I am reading now. So those will be under the header "Bookshelf revisited".

I am also going to be writing about the unexpected vacation I took last week in the coming days, so don't be surprised to see posts about locations outside of my home area.

But today is Monday, and Mondays are for music. So without further babbling, here is the playlist for the week. I pulled the song selections from the music I have been listening to at work. So while it may seem a bit erratic, it does have a reason.

Arlo Guthrie : City of New Orleans

Anne Marie : 2002

Hootie and the Blowfish : Only Wanna Be With You

Sabrina Carpenter : Thumbs

The Cure : Just Like Heaven

Book Shelf Revisited : Are We Eating Meat?

Or something else? We all have heard rumors about places serving meats other than the kinds we're accustomed to, but what if someone was intentionally serving this and making sure you didn't know? What if that sweet meat was something, deviously acquired?

I'm guessing a lot of you have seen the movie "Sweeney Todd". So the idea about eating human flesh isn't unknown, or a rarity. But in this hard copy book, the author gives it a twist.

Ambrosial Flesh
Mary Ann Mitchell
391 pages

This book takes a rather gruesome look at a church practice that has been around for a long time, communion. And that's just when the book starts. We're let into the world of a young boy, his happiness, and fears and wonders. But when denied action that he's been trained to perform, he makes a decision that effects the rest of his life, as we find out as the book goes on.

He chooses to nibble at little pieces of his own skin. Eventually progressing to nibbling bits of other people that were consenting. The premise of the story is fairly believable, although eventually it takes a turn into the absurd that most horror does.

Not a book for those with weak stomachs, or that get queasy at the thought of blood. Aimed more towards mature audiences. I enjoyed it because it's very different from some of the books I've read in the way that we see it end. I'll just say, it is unexpected but definitely a good choice.

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Originally posted January 10, 2012 at http://thebookshelfgoblin.blogspot.com/

Guess Who's Back?

I know I haven't been posting very regularly in the... most recent past. But there is usually a rhyme and reason to all of that. One reason being it is harder to write a post using my phone than it is on my laptop. Another reason being, that in all honesty for a while there I didn't have anything positive to say.

To be truly fair, right now, as the world goes at least, there is not a lot of positive things happening. But for now I can be content knowing that for the near future, I have the opportunity and chance to pick this up again, and it was definitely something that I enjoy doing. So I look forward to writing and curating information or art for you here again.

Will it be a bit bumpy at first?

Of course.

But anything worth doing, is worth doing no matter how dull it may seem compared to expectations.

Right now though, I am lucky because I do not really have any expectations for the near future. Other than finding something to use as a creative outlet so I have something to do besides work.

In any case, thank you for sticking around.

Let me know if there is something you want my take on, or maybe you want some recommendations? Where should I pick up again?

Not As Under The Weather

But still not entirely great.

It has been a while since I wrote. I apologize for that, but there isn't really any way for me to reliably be on currently. Not that I think very many people are reading this of late... But I can hope, right?

So what have I been up to? I had a DNC and an ablation in the hopes of stopping the heavy bleeding that has been putting me out for the past 2 and a half years. I went to the emergency room twice, because I ended up extremely dehydrated. Currently, it has almost been a month since the procedures. I am feeling less bloated, and a lot more... alive? I don't feel as exhausted all the time.

I also have been working a lot, but if you've been around for a while or know me fairly well, you would know that I really enjoy working the seasonal job at Spirit. It may not be fancy or anything, but it leets me feel creative, and help people create their costume looks.

I have 2 new young family members. My one sister n law had a boy in September. While the other had a baby girl in October. Babies are ok I guess. But I like them better when they are able to verbalize and actually explain what is going wrong. Plus they can go to the bathroom on their own. Not a fan of diapers.

Now I am switching over to day shift at my normal job for a few weeks. It is going to take some getting used to, but it isn't awful. The worst part is lunch when the kids are super duper loud. Other than that everything is pretty much run of the mill. Nothing exotic or awe inspiring.

I do get to DM this weekend at a convention. So that is kind of fun. I enjoy it because it lets me play with new players, as well as hopefully inspire new players to want to continue to play.

Oh! And our Adventure League Group is getting to run an epic! This is fabulous because we are doing it as a toy drive, meaning that anyone can play, and there is all sorts of fun interesting things that could happen.

Other than that, my life is fairly boring. But that is ok. I would rather have a boring life than a miserable one.