It is hard to dwell on the [sluggish] economy, [difficult] real estate market, and [rampant] lack of jobs in our nation when you spend a little time with some Florida-bred Thoroughbreds, up close and personal, on horse farms in Ocala, Morriston, and also Williston. Marion County is comprised of five incorporates cities, each with its own charm, history, lifestyle, and horse farms. Please visit the cities at your convenience: Ocala Belleview Dunnellon McIntosh Reddick Related articles by Zemanta Now This Is Horse Country! (horsealicious.com) Office of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, Ocala FL. (horsealicious.com) A Visit to an Ocala Horse Farm Full of Potential Kentucky Derby Winners. (horsealicious.com) Ocala FL’s Jumbolair Aviation Estates, home to airplanes... 07/31/2010

There is a very nice area in Summerfield just north of the Villages called Spruce Creek, this beautiful primere Golf and Country Club community features a top golf course designed by Bill Amick.  "Golf Digest" listed the course as one of the top 5 courses to play in the Volusia area. Along with golf this amazing community also offers tennis, a fitness center, sports complex, and shuffleboard.  Spruce Creek Country Club also offers formal and casual entertaining.  Dining at the Prop and Fore embodies a commitment to good taste, service, and outstanding cuisine.                                                                                                                                                         "Click Photo for Listing"         Beautiful 3/2 home with all the upgrades, cl... 07/29/2010

  Driving down the highway on Tuesday minding my own business I saw vehicles pulled to the side of the road and smoke billowing up...surely it was an accident.  Just then to my left from a side road came a blaring fire truck which nearly ran me off the road!  IT WASN'T AN ACCIDENT!  What it appeared to be was that someone threw a lit cigarette out the window and caused a fire along the highway.  Thankfully it was only grass but there was plenty of brush not too far away.  When the weather is in the upper 90's and rain is scarce the stage is set for forest fires.  There are plenty of options available to drivers who smoke... like ashtrays or that bottle of water with a little water in the bottom, butts don't belong on our grass!  It is very difficult, if not impossible to trace down the ... 07/28/2010

I returned from Orlando last night after meeting with Debbie Kirkland, Chris Brown, and Chris Griffith with regard to REBar Camp Orlando. If you haven't made your plans yet, here is where you can find more information. What is a REBar Camp? "It’s really all about YOU! What do you want to learn, do you want to tell others about social media tools, want to share blogging ideas? Register Now! So if you want to learn about phones..video..or where to post your videos, or optimize them to your website,… c’mon to REBarCamp.. it is all about anything you want to learn!" ***** Please see what I love about Ocala in a few of my recent Ocala stories: Ocala Horse Farms Feed the Florida Horse Industry. Here’s Your Sign … Ocala Horse Farm Signs, That Is. What Do You See On An Ocala Horse Farm Early in... 07/24/2010

This night bloomer, which was still open early this morning in Ocala, made me think of Mike Jones because the blooms 'sprout' from a big, gnarly cactus, and Mike has posted some pretty amazing cactus photos here on Active Rain. Here is something else you can see early in the morning in Ocala - - hint: horses on horse farms.   07/18/2010

It's early morning in Ocala and you might think I should be working on my blogging... and I was. I was also working on my TeuxDeux list (LOVE this great, easy way to keep a 'To Do' list). Then I looked on the bed, and there was my kitty, all covered with cobwebs. Call this Silly Sunday. 07/17/2010

A Visit to an Ocala Horse Farm Full of Potential Kentucky Derby Winners (VIDEO). The Paddock Room in Ocala Will Add Equestrian Elegance to Your Horse Farm or Your Barn! Great Sarasota Polo magazine! David Stoecklein, Photographer of the American West, Cowboy Gear 2010 Calendar. Tas-T-O Donuts in Ocala … Keeping Cops and Horse People Happy Since 1969. Rolling Pastures Full of Thoroughbreds in Ocala Beautify the Horse Farm Properties. The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum Collection. Going, going….. Extra Shavings Breaking Ocala News   07/17/2010

This bank wants to close this home as soon as possible.  It is a short sale depending on the offer but they want offers NOW!  An open house is scheduled for Sunday July 18 1-3pm, call or email for details. Click to read house details: Great home and property in NE Ocala 2 oversized Master Suites 6-8 gar car carport. Land can be cleared. This is a great home for Mother/Daughter. 2.5 car garage, Florida Room, metal roof, 2 A/C, 2 HW heaters, fireplace. Entertaining all offers. Will entertain offers. Sara Homan, Realtor 352-209-4044 07/15/2010

The real estate market is active in Ocala, the majority of sales might be a lower price range (75,000-150,000) but the sales have picked up. There is a lot of activity in areas  like NW Ocala,  Ocala Park Estates, or in SE and SW Ocala, like Silver Spring Shores, and Marion Oaks for the first time home buyer, or investor.  Although we are seeing an increase in sales in On Top if the World, Oak Run, and Palm Cay, to name a few, for retirement or winter homes.  All in all now is a great time to invest in either your first home, or just get a great deal on a winter home in Ocala, Florida, sometimes know as "Horse Capital of the World."  There are also some incredible deals on horse farms.                 Ocala Park Estates (Click photo for more listings)                  Silver Spring Shor... 07/15/2010

Ocala’s Painted Horses Graze in Historic Downtown Ocala and Across Ocala Horse Farms   Horses and Horse Farms In Ocala Surrounded by Marion County ‘Old Florida’ Magic Extra Shavings Breaking Ocala News   Starbucks on Magnolia in Historic Downtown Ocala (Horse Country) Ocala Breeders Sales Two-Year Old Sale Photos Ocala Horse Photos 07/08/2010

This is not a brand new tool, but I just stumbled into it early this morning. My first video below was a 'quickie' but as time goes by this morning, I continue to think of many different uses for Google Search Stories. Adding interest to my blog is always appealing to me. It's no secret I am a huge Twitter fan (because of learning so much more on Twitter than anywhere else). My 5 new Twitterface pages (link takes you to the 5 live links) are used to promote horses, Ocala, provide live-feed Kentucky Derby tweets, etc., and to add interest. (Boring is a 4-letter word to me.) If you come up with any unique ideas for the Google Search Stories, I'd love to hear them!   06/28/2010

Identity theft is on the rise and, sadly, most folks only find out that their identity has been hacked when they need credit for a big ticket item like a car or a home.  Even if you can repair your credit, there is often a period of hardship.  While identity protection is great, but as the old addage goes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Most of us are aware by now of the many internet scams going around . . . I hope no one hads sent the off $3,000 by wire to pay the legal fees for a multi million dollar inheritance from some relitive you have never heard of, in some country where you have no known heritage in the first place.  Even more fundamental in protecting your privacy is protecting your PIN numbers to access your assets and credit. The Atlanta Journal Constitutio... 06/28/2010

Today's Star banner had a great article on home sales in Florida.  It seems that in addition to being a great place to live, Ocala had the greatest gain in home sales in the state in May, as well as the lowest home prices in all of Florida!  This makes Ocala a great place to buy, or if you need to, to sell. Read the full article here for yourself:  http://www.ocala.com/article/20100623/ARTICLES/100629892/1402/NEWS?Title=Ocala-has-highest-gain-in-home-sales-in-state And hey if you are looking to buy or sell don't forget to call me! Dan Homan, Realtor(R) Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4042 06/23/2010

Image by susieblackmon via Flickr The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association is located in Ocala, just a quick jog from the Ocala Breeders Sales Co. (“OBS”) property.  The Two-Year-Old Sale (click to see the Sale slideshow) at OBS is an annual event, and has consistently produced good, solid runners, as reported by Nick Fortuna of Wire to Wire. If you, or anyone you know, is interested in membership in the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association, here is a link to the membership information. © Susie Blackmon Original posted on Horsealicious. 06/21/2010

Ocala's Thoroughbred horse farms enjoyed a successful June Sale at Ocala Breeders Sales Co. ("OBS") last Tuesday. The June sale was the Two-Year-Old Sale at "OBS" (located on Airport Road). Some of the photos I took at the sale are in the slideshow, which I hope you enjoy. Results of the sale can be found here. The next Thoroughbred sale at OBS is in August.  Here is an article in the Thoroughbred Times about the June sale. I love Ocala, and Ocala's Thoroughbred Horse Farms!   "OBS 2-Year-Old Sale, June 2010" Create a free slideshow with Picnik!     Original posted on Horsealicious.   06/21/2010

Here are a few photos of the very reason I moved back to Florida.... to be able to live in the Horse Capital, Ocala! Pastures full of weanlings and yearlings are my cup of tea, and horse sales at Ocala Breeders Sales instead of tire sales and fire sales. The Belmont, the third leg of the Triple Crown Races, runs this Saturday. It is hard not to envision one of these foals or yearlings crossing the finish line ahead of the pack in a few short years. Check this new page of mine out if you have time: Ocalalicious tweets And if you are a horseracing fan, here's the latest on the Belmont Stakes. 06/03/2010

For those of you anxiously waiting to receive your 1st time buyers tax credit you may want to read the embedded article about how the process is going. http://www.marketwatch.com/story/delays-denials-hit-home-buyer-tax-credit-filers-2010-05-21?siteid=nwhpf It appears that there is a backlog and that they are being very careful about giving money back. This should not be a surprise. 05/23/2010

Ocala Palms Golf and Country Club is a beautiful gated adult community in sunny Ocala, Florida.  Nestled on Hwy 27, only minutes from miles of gorgeous horse farms, and just minutes from the heart of Ocala, plus  I-75 is just a hop, skip and a jump away!  The property was once home to a 500 acre cattle ranch, and that country charm still holds true, with gorgeous live oak and magnolia trees, plus wildlife like egrets and blue herons, not to mention the resident swans that swim gracefully in the pond at the Welcome Center. Amenities include the 24 hour guard gate, digital cable, underground utilities, and private streets with concrete curbing.  For an additional fee, you can also get complete lawn care, and also recreational and boat storage.   Residents can enjoy the peaceful country ch... 04/05/2010

Ocala Palms Golf and Country Club is a beautiful gated adult community in sunny Ocala, Florida.  Nestled on Hwy 27, only minutes from miles of gorgeous horse farms, and just minutes from the heart of Ocala, plus  I-75 is just a hop, skip and a jump away!  The property was once home to a 500 acre cattle ranch, and that country charm still holds true, with gorgeous live oak and magnolia trees, plus wildlife like egrets and blue herons, not to mention the resident swans that swim gracefully in the pond at the Welcome Center. Amenities include the 24 hour guard gate, digital cable, underground utilities, and private streets with concrete curbing.  For an additional fee, you can also get complete lawn care, and also recreational and boat storage.   Residents can enjoy the peaceful country ch... 04/05/2010

Hunterdon Hamlet- A Gated Equestrian Community Right in the Heart of Horse County Hunterdon Hamlet is a private gated equestrian community located on the scenic drive of Hwy 225A, or Millionaire's Row, as it is known locally, right in the heart of Ocala, Florida, "The Horse Capital of the World".  It is nestled in the midst of some of Ocala's most beautiful and prestigious horse farms, so you can enjoy the beauty of the countryside and the majestic horses, even if you don't choose to have any yourself. The homes in Hunterdon Hamlet are luxury homes, ranging from 2500 to over 4000 square feet in size, with many luxury features like granite countertops, gourmet kitchens,  glamorous spa baths and/or home theaters.  Many have in ground pools as well.  The acreage varies from 2.5 to almost 5... 04/04/2010