I have always been fascinated by this building. It stands all alone in its marble magnificence, completely different from the modest houses that surround it. When I was younger it was called the Commerce Building, I believe, and as I remember it was vacant. Apparently it was saved from demolition in the mid-'90s and became a library in 1998.
Dave and I passed it on Wednesday morning when we took a drive out to Picnic Island, a public park on Tampa Bay at the southern tip of the Tampa peninsula. I used to ride my bike out to Picnic Island when I lived in Tampa and I have fond memories of that area.
There are always lots of horseshoe crab shells out there. I'm glad the crabs haven't all been harvested for their blue blood. You can see downtown St. Petersburg across the bay on the distant horizon, directly above the crab.
We walked around the park a bit, watching the tiny fiddler crabs emerge from their holes in the mud flats around the mangroves, and checking out the scenery along the beach. Here's a FloriVideo™ featuring the scenery and something that sounds a lot like a seagull but isn't:
We had a busy Christmas yesterday. Dave and I went to the hospital in the morning to visit my stepmother, who seems to be doing OK. She complained of pain so she got some medication and we left after a short time to let her sleep. My stepsister who went to see her later said she didn't even remember we'd been there! Oh well. I think she's going to be in the hospital for several more days at least. She's still due to have some more tests and another procedure.
We had Christmas dinner at my stepsister's house, with her, her husband and some of their friends. Dave was in charge of the roast beast, which he actually cooked in the oven in our guesthouse, which as far as we could tell had never been used. It's right next door to my stepsister's so we walked it over when it was done.
Today we're off to Bradenton to spend the rest of our trip with Dave's side of the family. They've been very patient while we deal with my stepmother and her unexpected illness. This trip has been so surreal.
We had a busy Christmas yesterday. Dave and I went to the hospital in the morning to visit my stepmother, who seems to be doing OK. She complained of pain so she got some medication and we left after a short time to let her sleep. My stepsister who went to see her later said she didn't even remember we'd been there! Oh well. I think she's going to be in the hospital for several more days at least. She's still due to have some more tests and another procedure.
We had Christmas dinner at my stepsister's house, with her, her husband and some of their friends. Dave was in charge of the roast beast, which he actually cooked in the oven in our guesthouse, which as far as we could tell had never been used. It's right next door to my stepsister's so we walked it over when it was done.
Today we're off to Bradenton to spend the rest of our trip with Dave's side of the family. They've been very patient while we deal with my stepmother and her unexpected illness. This trip has been so surreal.
The 'library' is a curious and interesting stand alone building. I don't suppose Dave cooked Yorkies to go with the roast beef. Honestly, why would you bother.
ReplyDeleteWhy? Because Yorkshire Pudding is a superb addition to any feast or family celebration.
DeleteIt's a miracle they didn't tell that gorgeous building down and build something hideous! It gives a sense of history to an area that probably needs it.
ReplyDeleteTravel On My Good Man
ReplyDeleteCheers
I was waiting for the "seagull" to be revealed - ha! I think some WD40 is in order (and that reminds me that our house has started to sound like a haunted house with all of our creaky doors).
ReplyDeleteWhat an odd placement of the building just out in the middle of the bricked street. At least it looks like the street goes all the way around it. There used to be remnants of brick paved streets in the old parts of Houston.
ReplyDeleteWas that Dave on the swing?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a hawk or an osprey to me.
Surreal. I can only imagine. I hope everything in Bradenton is less so.
I'm guessing your timing was most serendipitous. True, your stepmother isn't doing well and that's concerning. But you got to see her and visit (even if she didn't remember) and if things don't go well, you guys are so far away. And it does sound like a lovely time. Picnic Island is a wonderful name and a beautiful spot. I'm glad you could get out there.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you get to spend time with Dave's family too. I hope your stepmother will be all right. Does she live on her own or does she live in a care facility?
ReplyDeleteI always find it strange that the coastline photos of Florida are all so flat. It's not what I'm used to. Our coastlines are rugged with mountains, nothing flat, but both are so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHope your stepmother continues to get better. Christmas in the hospital sucks.
That building is gorgeous but it does look completely out of place sitting there. I'm glad your stepmother is doing better. I hope that continues.
ReplyDeleteA beautiful building! Is there any chance you‘ll get to visit when the library is open, or will you be in Bradenton and then back to London before that?
ReplyDeleteTrips are always a busy time especially when some one is sick.
ReplyDeleteI hope things go smoothly during your time with Dave's family.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like a visit to the ER and hospitalization that can throw everything and everyone off. Add Christmas to the mix and there's another layer.
ReplyDeleteHopefully the rest of your FL stay is calm and predictable.
The beach looks wonderful. The warmth is even more wonderful. It's freezing in MA.
I hope you have a great visit in Bradenton and that June recovers. I like that the vacant building got a better lide as a library. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteGood to know your stepmother is doing OK, but what I way to spend the holidays -- for all of you. I knew that gull was something rusty. I thought maybe it was an old sign hanging from a post. Good job building the tension. It looks beautiful there. The building looks fascinating. I’m off to read about it (assuming I can find it).
ReplyDeleteNice video of Picnic Island ...
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan