The City Beautiful

Orlando is vehemently rejecting being known as the location of the worst mass-shooting in American history by celebrating what is wonderful here and proving that it is the city beautiful.

Life here is pretty spectacular. I say all the time how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place. Maybe living among blue lakes, exotic birds, and lush greenery permeates people’s bodies and hearts making them softer. The people of Orlando are very accepting and welcoming. Coming from Texas it would be difficult to live anywhere that people were not friendly, as my home state is full of warm, fun-loving people. In Orlando, people are the same way, but more open. It is a young city compared to other parts of the US. We don’t have the history or the very old buildings, but there is a history here, it just takes longer to unearth.  Old Florida is an interesting place in its own right. After the recent tragedy, I have high hopes for how New Florida is developing.

What an amazing week came out of one evil act. Everywhere you go in Orlando, there are billboards, signs in store fronts, people wearing rainbow ribbons or commemorative t-shirts. Stores and restaurants are donating proceeds to the victims’ families. My favorite exercise studio, The Bar Method, raised $1200 Saturday from offering donation classes. Four Rivers Barbecue opened up on Sunday for the first time ever and donated all of their proceeds. The Orlando City Soccer game sectioned off into rainbow colors and asked event goers to dress accordingly. St. John Vianney is hosting the victims’ families tonight to offer financial and emotional support. As Stephen Colbert said “love is a verb”. All over town, residents are responding and proving that to be true. Orlando truly is “the city beautiful”.

In honor of my beautiful city, I am posting images of what I see and love around town.

The lovely pool and garden of a Winter Park client.

The lovely pool and garden of a Winter Park client.

A flowering tree where I park every morning to walk my son in to school.

A flowering tree where I park every morning to walk my son in to school.

Turkeys looking for corn put out by my warm-hearted client.

Turkeys looking for corn put out by my warm-hearted client.

I never know what I will see when visiting my Lake Mary clients. This day was good- turkey and deer!

I never know what I will see when visiting my Lake Mary clients. This day was good- turkey and deer!

Wildlife crossing - turtle making its way down to the beach at New Smyrna.

Wildlife crossing – turtle making its way down to the beach at New Smyrna.

Trying to grow something that I am constantly buying at Publix.

Trying to grow something that I am constantly buying at Publix.

Gorgeous pink tree in the Via's (Winter Park).

Gorgeous pink tree in the Winter Park Via’s.

Morocco courtesy of Epcot.

Morocco courtesy of Epcot.

St. James Catholic School in downtown Orlando.

St. James Catholic School in downtown Orlando.

Ponce patiently lingering outside Ava's house. He hopes his favorite canine neighbor will come out to play.

Ponce patiently lingering outside Ava’s house hoping his favorite canine neighbor will come out to play.

Birthday celebrations are best on the boat.

Birthday celebrations are best on a boat.

Sun setting over Lake Sue.

A cherished nighttime event is watching the sun set over Lake Sue.

Love driving by this chic office building on my way to workout.

Love driving by this chic office building on my way to workout.

New flags hanging outside my framer's building.

New flags hanging outside my framer’s building.

Home of Rifle Paper with their poignant new illustration.

Home of Rifle Paper with their poignant new illustration.

Hometown pride exemplified by Rifle Paper.

Hometown pride exemplified by Rifle Paper.

Goodnight City Beautiful.

Goodnight City Beautiful.

Casa V Interiors, proudly located in Winter Park, Florida, can create a beautiful home for you and your loved ones.