Month: March 2017

Jimmy Hula’s. Fish Tacos. Beer. Good Crew.

Jimmy Hula’s. Fish Tacos. Beer. Good Crew.

I visited the Jimmy Hulu’s on Aloma Ave in Winter Park this week. Bottom line: I liked it. In a review a month or so ago of a different Winter Park eatery, I told the world that the fish tacos in that well-known and very popular spot were awful. I’m stickin’ to that.

But at Jimmy Hula’s, that fish dish I so ardently crave was good. Very good.

The recipe at JH’s is more conventional. Love the blackened fish, the cabbage and their version of Pico de Gallo. And the “special sauce”. Loved it all.

My draft Corona Light was cold and refreshing. The service was prompt and friendly.

The main point of this succinct review is that Jimmy Hula’s is a good spot for casual dining, especially if — like me — you’re into seafood, beer and eateries with a beach theme. I could almost hear the waves crashing onto the shore and smell the sea…

By the way, I did not opt for the patio area, but I loved the design and the way it’s carried off at Jimmy’s and will probably go that direction the next time I visit.

One closing note: this popular joint is also well-known for its burgers; I simply haven’t had a chance to sample one. But a return trip is definitely near the top of my fun list.

 

“Bulldog Ben” Basile

 

Jimmy Hula’s ~ 2522 Aloma Ave, Winter Park, Florida 32792 ~ Call 407 790-7838

 

Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile

 

 

 

The Recent Return to Moss Park Was a Success in Every Way

The Recent Return to Moss Park Was a Success in Every Way

No, it wasn’t just about lots of butterfly pix. That was a real treat, for sure. Even if I’m the only one who thinks those photos constitute some really awesome camera work.

It may well have been my coolest encampment yet. And the gang of raccoons that plundered my food store and invaded the sanctity of my precious PT Cruiser last time around did not inflict great trauma on me on this visit to their domain.

And I got to know the park better, beyond the camping part of it, that is. Huge park with so many cool things to do.

This featured image is from that great mix of stalwart pines and majestic oaks that are all around the main swimming beach.

This photo is from my camp site looking in the general direction of the lake, though it can’t been seen in the photo. My space was also right next to the main pier.IMG_3693

Loved my spot even though this time around it put me a bit too close to a large group of very, very rowdy campers. I think it was something like a family reunion. There’s a little more to that story, but I’m going to keep it happy and upbeat. Loved the getaway, loved my pictures.

It’s looking like I’m going to have to dial back on the frequent camping in the next few weeks or months to bump up my earnings just a bit. Life is filled with these trade offs, isn’t it? We do what we must, I suppose.

I’ll still be scratchin’ that major “outdoor itch” I get a lot. But I got to TCB, too! I most certainly be posting stuff right here on da Bulldog blog all along.

Best wishes to you as we go through this early spring time. May it be an excellent season for us. A good time to get out there — frequently — and enjoy the wonders of Nature.

 

“Bulldog Ben” Basile

 

Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile

 

J’ai seulement vu un papillon la première fois

J’ai seulement vu un papillon la première fois

When I saw this photo the first few times, I thought it was only one exquisitely beautiful papillon, but it’s two. Not sure why I didn’t see the second one for a while. She’s turned “on edge” so she seems one-dimensional. But there are two of them there. Working together. As butterflies should. Whatever that means!

Thinking today about how I often don’t “see” things accurately. About how it’s not unusual for me to need to take that second or third look. And about how flying solo is not necessarily the best way to go…

It’s my M.O. but not necessarily the best way to go.

I love to take pictures.

 

 

Still flying solo here in Central Florida, I am,

 

“Bulldog Ben” Basile

 

Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile

 

Noles Beat Knights 4-0 in Wednesday Softball Action

Noles Beat Knights 4-0 in Wednesday Softball Action

I do follow softball and this was a contest not-to-be-missed. The home town Knights of UCF were hosting the no. 1 ranked team in the country in the Seminoles of Florida State. It was a good contest but in the end, Seminole bats overpowered UCF’s pitching and Seminole fans drove back to Tallahassee with smiles on their (often) painted faces.

UCF pitcher Alea White had bested the nation’s 15th ranked team five days earlier — that would be the Bears of Baylor — but FSU is no. 1 for a reason. Or reasons, I should say, and Alea White pitched well enough to beat some Div I teams, but the Noles can hit the ball like very few other squads and their eight hits translated into four runs. This time out, the Knights had no answer.

Cassidy Brewer, the hero of that third contest with Baylor had two hits, but the rest of the line-up together produced only two more. And against the Noles, that’s not enough.

In the top of the 7th, the DH for FSU, Zoe Casas, spanked a homer to right field, just inside the foul line that carried way, way over the 200′ mark. FSU head coach  Lonni Alameda does a splendid job as the skipper for Florida State and coaches for the USSSA Pride in the Pro ranks, too. If you polled folks who know their softball about who’s the best coach in the game, I’d be a little shocked if Lonni would not come out on top. And I’d bet a month’s rent that hitting is her no. 1 criterion when she and her staff are recruiting.

UCF is back in action on the diamond tomorrow, March 24th when they host the Houston Cougars. It is a conference game. The first pitch will be thrown at 5:30PM.

“Bulldog Ben” Basile

Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile

UCF knocks off Illinois, advances to NIT Final Four – Orlando Sentinel

I was on the UCF campus yesterday evening to see our Knights take on the Seminoles in softball. No. 1 ranked FSU bested the Knights by a score of 4-0. It was a good contest and I don’t think the UCF softball stadium could have held one more fan.

While that contest was going on, we all could see the crazy traffic on campus, knowing that the crowds were turning out for the Men’s BB game that was going to tip-off at 7:00. I was delighted to hear the Knights won and are now headed to the final four in the NIT. Hope they leave their mark on Madison Square Garden! Charge On!

Great write-up all about their big win here from the Orlando Sentinel:

UCF held off a late Illinois rally at CFE Arena Wednesday night, advancing to the NIT Final Four.

Source: UCF knocks off Illinois, advances to NIT Final Four – Orlando Sentinel

Butterflies and Bees Work Together Well

Butterflies and Bees Work Together Well

Check out that bee in the center of the photo. It’s easy to miss him, as the butterflies tend to draw your eye.

I suppose in nature, everyone has their role to play. I guess that’s true of people, too. I’m thinking that now that I’m semi-retired, a good bit of my role probably has something to do with picture-taking! Loving it today.

 

Bulldog Ben

Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile

More Beauty Out Here. I Have No Words to Describe It

More Beauty Out Here. I Have No Words to Describe It

I think I took something like 480 les photos des papillons aujourd’hui. Will only get a few up here.

Here’s another one that stuns me.

I’m done putting these pix up on my blog for now. I’ve got to get back to editing. That’s gonna be a big job. I should do most of that later when I’m not in a setting like this. I know I’m missing out some great stuff by sitting in my tent editing and posting.

Oh well. I couldn’t help it. I’ll bet I’ve got some I haven’t seen yet I’ll like even better than these two. But I like these a lot.

 

“Bulldog Ben” Basile

 

Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile

Exquisite Beauty is Hovering Around Moss Park Today

Exquisite Beauty is Hovering Around Moss Park Today

I’m in butterfly heaven right now. Some of these photos can almost make me cry. Much more editing to do, but I’m getting some of the ones I really like out now.

Are butterflies not some of God’s most amazing creations? (Don’t draw any conclusions about how I believe life came about on this planet, that’s just the way the thought came into my head. Kind of old school, I suppose!)

So much beauty out here. I’m trying to capture some of it. Very appropriate on the first full day of spring. What a fine time of year to do the stuff I’m doing right now!

Hope you’re doing well on this Tuesday. I hope you’re loving being out in nature when you get the chance…

Or not. Then I get it all to myself! Just kidding!

Get outside. You’ll be glad you did. And you’ll want to do more of it.

 

An awestruck, outside dog today, I am,

 

“Bulldog Ben” Basile

 

Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile

Cassady Brewer’s Blast Helps to Power UCF past the Bears in Sunday Softball Action

Cassady Brewer’s Blast Helps to Power UCF past the Bears in Sunday Softball Action

Our UCF Knights knew that the Baylor Bears were going to be a handful. They were sporting a 22-4 record as their bus motored down I-75 toward Orlando last week. They were ranked 15th nationally and had bested some very good softball squads in the first half of the 2017 season.

The Bears pretty well mauled the Knights in game one on Friday night. Game two Saturday was closer and at some point the home team knew that beating Baylor was, indeed, possible.

The contest Sunday was a whole different thing; the Knights played pretty darn good defense, Freshman hurler Alia White gave up just two runs to the Bears and first baseman Cassady Brewer went 2 for 3 from the plate including a solo homer in the 4th. It was White’s first-ever win against a top 20 team in her short collegiate career.

I snapped a pic of Brewer’s blast just after the ball leapt off the bat. I just had to use that pic as the featured foto this time around. Brewer is a bona fide local product, coming out of Apopka High.

Baylor was a very good team. On Wednesday the Knights will face a great team when FSU comes to town. The Noles are ranked nationally at no. 2 at the moment; this one is going to be intense!

Tickets are still on sale but won’t last long. For tickets to any UCF sporting event, call 407 823-1000. Operators are standing by…

 

A big fan of UCF Athletics, I am,

“Bulldog Ben” Basile

 

Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile