©2007 Ann E. Sabo

If you played your cards right, old man Christmas will have left a few goodies under your tree, and although everyone is familiar with his usual modus operandi, most folks might not be aware how Santa maneuvers through the old Florida landscape. Best way to deliver Christmas joy is by foot. So grab your hiking stick and pop on your muddin’ boots and short pants: it’s easy to loose elves in the swamp and Santa could use a few good volunteers to help him keep on schedule.

Joyous Merry Christmas, Y’all!

©2007 Ann E. Sabo

More clip art from the Florida Trail Association collection. By the looks of that smile, I’m glad one of us got her holiday shopping done early….

(like I always say, ‘never be afraid of brightly neon wrapped packages: those glowing papers saves for a lot less toe stubbing when maneuvering through the dark night to find Santa’s gifts left under the living room tree…)

©A.E. Sabo : click image to enlarge

These little birdies are part of a collection of holiday art created for the FLORIDA TRIAL ASSOCIATION. The Orange Blaze Mercantile Store has lots of goodies for the novice and seasoned hiker: www.floridatrial.org.

©2007 Ann E. Sabo : click on image to enlarge.

From the extravaganza of insert goodies bombarding our local Sunday papers, the season of holiday toy salesblitz flyers ’tis here. I did this sketch over coffee and my first round draft picks for ole man Christmas (a detailed visual is a crucial Saint Nick point of gift give-me reference.) BEN TEN has a plethra of great action figures, BARBIE returns with its traditional holiday collectable and FURREAL entertains with lifelike talking critters. Happy Holiday shopping; and come December 25th, I’ll race y’all to the tree!

©2007 Ann E. Sabo : click on image to enlarge.Now, before y’all start giving me the stink eye, this is not a commentary on the ‘dos’ or the ‘don’ts’ of legalized gambling. It’s more a rant on how governmental fires place ever increasing heat on our already evaporating Florida history. Whether it’s paving the Everglades, propagandaing mythical bullet trains or allowing for airports were they don’t belong, bit by little bit, a part of old Florida dies. Broader casino gaming now has a green light to a select few and more hometown landmarks will feel the burn. You can’t throw a stone in St. Petersburg without hitting a point of interest and DERBY LANE has held it’s fort there for almost a century. T. L. Weaver, a lumber entrepreneur, constructed the greyhound track in the 1920’s. The LANE was featured in the 2001 film ‘Oceans Eleven.’ Such star greyhound athletes like Racing Ramp, Lucky Pilot and Keefer raced there. Just a romp uptown is Tampa’s historic TAMPA BAY DOWNS, who’s doors opened in 1926. In 1943, the U.S. Army used the track as a training facility. In 1983 the track began offering a periodic Arabian races. Sadly these establishments may quietly slip away as legalized gaming encourages a different direction. A direction where the new rules, for the old guard, do not apply.

©2007 Ann E. Sabo : click on image to enlarge.

No All Hallows Evening would be complete without the steamy, Castilian passion of a ghoulish Gomez for his maudlin Mortica…

Ah, the Addams: no two were more the dashing couple, mingling about the festivities of historic Ybor City’s infamous Guavaween. As spirits intertwined, they dined at the Columbia, danced at the Cuban Club, and sauntered the streets with the annual consorting of the living amongst the dead. Could you not feel the chill of Mortica’s stare, notice the faint aroma of Gomez’s Cuban rolled cigar, sense the whisper of his breath, cold upon your neck, as he called to her, “Querida!”

Happy Halloween!

©2007 Ann E. Sabo : click on photo to enlarge

August plays host to two major southern phenomenons: record southland heat index and Elvis Presley week. It was a scorcher the day I sat, heat-dazed behind the wheel, listening to Elvis croon ‘Sweet Home Alabama’. It occurred to me as I stood on the brake petal at a quick amber light, have I ever heard Elvis sing ‘Sweet Home Alabama’? Has ANYone? Oh, shut up! You have not; but whom you may have heard is a rather talented Irish impersonator. ‘The King’ has an LP named Gravelands. A few of those songs will make you double take. Just do your self a favor… keep your eyes on the road while your listening… (ps: wasn’t sure at the creation of this if the famous fried ‘nanner and nutter’ sandwich was made with a creamy, chunky, or mashmellow brand-could any fans help me out?)

©2007 A.E. Sabo

I’m no bean spiller, but I am currently working on a children’s book project that is so ‘hush hush’, I can only share with you the sketches that DIDN’T get selected to go final. I can’t wait to show you all the approved character renderings at a future date. Now, if anybody asks, you say that you don’t know nothin’ about seein’ no super secret story sketches at aesabo.com…