Bed and Breakfast Time Machines

Gainesville, Florida

As technology keeps advancing at a faster clip each year, some of us get caught up in the digital dance tripping over our own two feet as our fingers tap away on the latest and greatest new toy. Others raised on the analog two step find the dance floor too crowded and too loud, longing for the old days when people spoke to each other face to face, intead of in a cyberspace cloud. Being a horse and buggy in the day of GPS and bluetooth can be a lonely affair however, (not to mention being run over by those alloy wheels). And running over that horse and buggy while swearing at the disembodied lady giving directions from your GPS may not be the high point of human progress either. Perhaps a meeting in the middle is a better course,... something like the way they return one of those grand old Victorian homes of the past to its former glory while at the same time rendering it digital friendly and wi-fi ready. Just over in Gainesville, there are several homes like that, having been turned into Bed and Breakfast time machines allowing you both to remember that era of grace and beauty without leaving you there if you need to answer that important call. We will never see such a time again, and in truth it never was quite as romantic as we'd like to believe, But still, it may not be such a bad idea for some of us to put away our toys for a while and connect with a person instead of a plug, or for others to learn to download an old tune instead of downing a new one. In all honesty, no matter what box we choose to live in, couldn't we all probably do with a fresh coat of paint.

Florida's Family of Artists

Passing Through Melrose

Each year Florida's family of artists show off their stuff in Downtown Gainesville, Florida and if you missed it this year, you missed an opportunity to enjoy and maybe bring home a real treasure from this highly respected showcase of some of Florida's finest artists. Driving from Florahome, even before you get there you have the opportunity to sample a taste of what to expect as you pass through the small town of Melrose with resident artists such as Harriet Huss being a part of that colorful Florida family. Just by viewing some of the well preserved architecture as you pass through Melrose, you get the feel of a community that respects, preserves and enjoys the wonders of nature and the creative mind, More fine examples of this 'family of artists' living in the area can be found at the Melrose Bay Art Gallery and even Melrose dentist, Jeff Smith right across the street has a marvelous display of his wildlife photography right in his office. Gator fans and Harry Potter fans take note as Dr. Smith has captured both alligators and owls that are, well,... 'stunning' as Harry would put it. Now that you're in the right frame of mind so to speak (sorry), the main show really is in Gainesville. Once you get passed the usual parking pain common to these affairs, you are immediately calmed and enchanted by the harmonious tapestry of sound woven by a magical flute and an ancient harp that one day found each other at another such event. The Celtic spirit has never been stirred more beautifully than through the music of Lisa Lynne and George Tortorelli providing the perfect atmosphere for a stroll through the world of art. Art in every form is on display from glass creations by artists such as Herb Thomas and Sandy Lent to Jim Deyrup 's fine-grained gems demonstrating his special way with wood. And of course there are the paintings. With so much talent in the art world today, you have to really know your stuff to stand out when it comes to paintings. Neither Bruce Nawrocke nor Gainesville's own, Angela Hoppe have any problems in that regard. Gail Snivley 's masterful hand at the potter's wheel is equally amazing and if you've ever taken a turn at it yourself, seeing Gail's work is a real ego killer. Getting back to photography, one artist has one guessing whether they are looking at a painting or a photograph. With Catherine Laurenzi, it's sometimes hard to tell - but either way they are in the very truest sense, genuine works of art. Unfortunately they lose something viewing these unique photos over the internet as do all these works to some degree. So next time Florida's family of artists has a get-together, be sure you are there as well, it's really a 'gotta be there' kinda thing.   For more see The Florida Art and Artists List

Help for the Troops? There's no Taste Like Home.

It's said that 'home is where the heart is'. For our troops serving in
far off places like Iraq or Afghanistan, that piece of home may come in the form of a 'goody bag' from the heart of one of our neighbors in Keystone Heights or perhaps someone she's inspired. For anyone who knows the feeling of being away from that place your heart calls home, you can appreciate Kellie Olivier's organization, Helpful Hearts and their desire to help our troops with a little taste of home. Here's her story from Santa Fe College News in Gainesville Florida.

Old Country Music

In our neck of the woods, old country music can still be heard on WDVH in Gainesville, Florida. It might require a good long wire hooked to the old Philco, but online you can hear those 'Country Legends' anywhere. If you live close by, you may even get a good deal on some old country music on the WDVH Swap Shop. Some people don't know good music from a,... well,... anyway - Swap Shop is on Saturday mornings from 8am til 12 and Wednesday mornings, from 7 to 10. But whether you've got a radio or you're online, WDVH is the radio station to listen to if you wanna hear good old country music. Give it a listen - I think you'll like it.

Be sure to try the other stations on the lower right hand side of this page

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Where is Florahome, Florida?

Where Florahome, Florida is can best be answered by showing its location in relation to its two largest neighbors - Gainesville and Palatka Florida. Viewing Florahome on the Florida map, we're on Florida State Road 100 about 30 miles east of Gainesville which is about a 45 minute drive passing through the town of Melrose.

Click on map to enlarge

Heading east from Florahome, Palatka, FL is only about a 16 mile trip which usually takes around twenty to twenty five minutes according to who's doing the driving.

Click on map to enlarge

Jacksonville is about a 1hr 15 to 1hr 30 minute drive north, and if your heading to Disney World or Universal Studios in Orlando to the south, it'll take you about two hours to get there and probably a little more if your thirsty. Daytona Beach is happily even a little closer than that. At either end of SR 100 We have beautiful Flagler Beach on the eastern end and the Georgia border just a stone's throw from the other. Historic St. Augustine is only about an hour from here, and from Melrose to Interlachen to Keystone Heights we have an abundance of lakes, so all in all,... where Florahome, Florida is ain't too bad.

Also on Florahome USA
A Place Called George's Lake
Maps of George's Lake
Grandin, Florida

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