There is a very different feel to Key West after the threat of a hurricane

Of course there's lots of clean-up

Alot of moving of cars back home after the eternal scramble of trying to find "higher ground" in a town that's highest point above sea level is 18 feet... And taking all the stuff back outside after bringing it inside...

The sand has to be pushed back where it belongs...or where WE think it belongs...

From the strong winds pushing it.

But the best part is the feeling of "playing hookey".  The day after a storm passes, everyone is ready to get out of the house and experience what the storm has brought us, which is mostly wind, and waves

People are playing on White St. Pier, and the Kite Boarders are putting on a show

And the surfers come out

We were all cheering this kid on, though I don't think they could hear us because of the wind...Great Job!  Everytime this tiny kid made it all the way to the beach everyone was smiling...

I love how in this picture everyone just ignored the signs, they didn't even slow down. The gentleman facing the camera looked a little confused. Like he doesn't live here (rental scooter) and can't figure out what is wrong with us...love it!

And I think they can move this truck now...

Smiles,
XO
Toni

Welcome to Key West, under the threat of a Hurricane

There's plenty of parking, and despite the major reduction of visitors, the remaining visitors still walk in the street...that rooster is shaking his head.....

And around every corner there are news crews to be seen

Informing the world of our impending doom....

While our Keys finest are ready to spring into action

And locals have stocked up on supplies!  Seriously, Tom bought this and no water, I had to send him back to the store.....

All trash receptacles are secured....

Resorts and Dining Establishments too...........

And all good kitties are on red alert!  And so we wait out the storm...............

These pictures were taken at our Catholic Church, St. Mary's Star of the Sea, which has recently had the honor of becoming a Basilica. And on the grounds of St. Mary's is a very special Grotto.


 

This is a very widespread belief in Key West that this Grotto at St. Mary's provides us protection from a direct hit from Hurricanes.  
 
 


 
 

Sister Louis Gabriel was the nun responsible for having the Grotto built, with help and donations from the 
community


 

The story behind it is that Sister Louis Gabriel had survived 3 major storms since she had come
to Key West in 1897 wanted to protect the island and its people from the devastation and suffering she had witnessed from these horrible storms. She believed that as long as the Grotto stood, “Key West would never experience the full brunt of a hurricane.” 
 
 


 

The Grotto was built in 1922.  There were many people coming and going when I took these pictures this afternoon, we smiled and nodded to each other, not speaking.  Just sharing the beauty and serenity and a appreciation of the Grotto.
 
 
 
 

We Thank You Sister Louis Gabriel…..

Smiles,
XO
Toni

Try and read this before you look at the picture below.  If you don't live here, but know Key West, can you tell right away where this was taken?

This has got to be one of the strangest sights I've ever seen in Key West, and believe me, there are alot of strange sights.  This is North Roosevelt Blvd.  Naked, awaiting construction which is supposed to last quite a while.  My daughter Alexandra called me the other day to tell me how sad it looked, she knows I never go on N. Roosevelt if I can help it, I like the beach. 

 And since I appreciated her telling me, because she knows how I love trees, I went to take a look.  With my camera of course.  It's the only time in my life I have looked in that direction and NOT seen palms, it's so BARE!

So I tracked them down, and never fear, our palms are still here... right around the corner......

Waiting for thier new home to be ready.  Wish them luck everyone!  Looking forward to taking some pictures when they get back "home"

Smiles,
XO
Toni

This is what we call a  Royal Poinciana Tree. In other places they may be named  Flamboyant, or Flame Tree. In the summer time, beginning earlier and earlier each year it seems, there are brilliant bursts of color all over the island.  It is one of my favorite times

Here is one seen from the Top Of the La Concha Hotel, on Duval St.  Our tallest building at 7 stories!

This is what they look like up close

And closer.......

Another thing I love so much about them is no matter how small they are they still bloom...even in the ugliest of places like behind the supermarket, bringing beauty to a very bleak view, and brightening up another ordinary trip to the grocery store...

Although why someone chose to accessorize this one with a soda can I will never figure out...

But in any case I will call you by your proper name  Delonix regia, to Thank You for gracing our Island!

Smiles,
XO
Toni

Another one of my favorite pics of Daddy.  It reminds me of when a train or trolley would roll by, Daddy would run out and yell "SO NICE TO SEE ALL YOU MILLIONAIRES IN KEY WEST!  He always got a huge laugh, and lots of pictures were taken, and then Daddy would go back inside and finish what ever story he was telling to his enthralled listeners.  Often times he would pause gracefully to pose for a picture for whomever was walking by and wanted one.  I often wondered over the years how many people that took pictures when he was putting on a show really had no idea who HE WAS...but didn't want to miss one minute of the excitement he generated and were taking pictures because OTHER people were

And every year we would have a huge party for his birthday, and hundreds of people would show up, just to wish him well, and all the immediate family that could make it would come to town, to show Daddy love.  These are some of my brothers and sisters and me, at his 90th birthday party at Salute.  My youngest brother TJ, Alicia, Coral, Daddy, Me, Josephine, and our oldest brother Louie.

And so to honor Daddy, the tradition goes on....

Because Daddy would want it that way!  So here's the schedule for this weekend...

And if you happen to be in town, or downtown on August 10, we'll be at the bar!  For all inquiries..go to Facebook and look for Capt. Tony Days.

Smiles,

XO
Toni

I've grown to love Palm Trees.  I say "grown to" because I never really thought much of them growing up here in Key West. The one above sat in my yard for a long time, and the beautiful color is a reflection of the sun.  I loved sitting on the steps in the morning and drinking my coffee while waking up and enjoying the view.

I suppose I took them for granted, and like anyone else, I always felt the grass was greener on the other side, and that for some reason they weren't "real" trees, like the big shade trees up north...

But over time, I started admiring them more and more...

Most of all after waiting out Hurricanes over the years,

And the trees surviving just fine, despite the skinny little trunks that they have

Sad to say, but my "morning Palm" got cut down a couple of years ago.  I still miss it, and so do the neighborhood cats, lizards, and endless birds.  Maybe one day I'll paint it...

Smiles,

XO
Toni