Posted by Viewfinder (Bradenton, United States) on 22 February 2008 in Architecture and Portfolio.
Back in Florida again (and this is a pretty recent capture) -- an unexpected place I happened to notice as I drove homeward, at one of the backstreet intersections of Bradenton.
Divorce - Florida style. It's instant -- just add water and mix...
For those here who are not familiar with Americanese, ASAP = As Soon As Possible.
Sad commentary on society's trends, I think.
Please pray for Bella.
Bella Update: 07/26/08. Saturday. Bella's good this morning; walk was fun/no squirrels, but we did a different block than usual. She likes variety. Breakfast -- meds soon, the post-walk routine. She slept better last night than the one before. Panting still, but it's hot. So, thank you God for another morning blessing today.
Bella and I are grateful for each of you, for caring and singing (love is all around...), and especially for praying. Please understand this miracle being prayed for, because although it is day by day, it also may take a bit of time for completion: Bella's battle for life, wellness, and a healed heart isn't a sprint but a long-distance run.
What we have right now are day by day blessings: I am prayerfully thankful that her good days may be God's bit by bit miracle, slowly unfolding.
VFXY Photos | Cool Photoblogs | Listed on Photoblogs.org
Do they have a drive through window?
22 Feb 2008 12:59am
@Michael Rawluk: ROTFL!
Oh my word!!! hahahaha......sad but true, a sign of the times. I had a good giggle atthe sign on the window too...."Love is grand...Divorce starts at $295" .....man, oh man...LOL, thanks for the smile VF! You've started my friday off on a very nice light note!
22 Feb 2008 1:17am
@Mandy: That little sign is perhaps even funnier than the big one.
I love the price shown. And I bet he gets a lot of business. It brought a smile to my morning.
22 Feb 2008 1:25am
@Michael Skorulski: Don't know about how many customers, but it must be enough to keep the doors open and the lights on.
Wow, that's a really rather odd sign. I particularly think that sign in the window is really sad too.
22 Feb 2008 2:57am
@e.: It one of those things in modern life you just have to shrug at.
Nice work! www.paulvandermeer.aminus3.com
22 Feb 2008 5:23am
@Paul van der Meer: Thank you Paul.
I bet if they have a website it's www.getmeawayfromthisbitch.com .... I have never seen anything like this before, too funny . Good eye for spotting this vf
22 Feb 2008 5:46am
@Man With 101 Names: It's definitely a first for me too. Thanks.
Leave it to Florida.... Great siting....clear and sharp.
22 Feb 2008 7:35am
@MJ: They probably offer discounts to fly to Vegas for quickie weddings, too.
outstanding capture - LOL!
22 Feb 2008 7:53am
@Betsy Barron : www.thebetsy.com: Thanks Betsy. It is sadly funny, I think. Definitely weird.
Great find. Sad indeed that marriage is so disposable. But from another angle marriage is so easy to get, like in Vegas or at a local courthouse. No courting necessary. Life is on a whim and someone is going to capitalize on it. Excellent caption.
22 Feb 2008 8:49am
@Barbara: Thanks Barbara. It is one of those things no one who is AARP eligible (starts at age 50) would ever have expected to find out there.
Thanks for the chuckle. You're right, that is a sad commentary on our society.
22 Feb 2008 8:55am
@Melissa: Thanks for dropping by; glad my pic gave you a smile. I just remembered what brand my Mom's box/target-type camera was -- I think it was an Ansco. You might find this camera museum site interesting.
SAD 'signs' of the times for SURE! If our appliances and so many other things are built to 'self-destruct' or simply be more expensive to repair than to replace, after a given period of time, I guess marriage is one more of those items . . . for SOME. I thank God for our commitment to marriage - it's approaching 49 years!!!
22 Feb 2008 8:57am
@Judy: Congrats to you and your husband for being long-distance runners. My wife and I will hit 36 years in July, and still going...
That is pretty sad...but a good capture though.
22 Feb 2008 9:11am
@Dylan: Thanks Dylan.
I'm sorrry, I totally adore this sign...lol
22 Feb 2008 9:44am
@Lorraine: Dark humor and irony does have its appeal...
What a find and yes, it's a sad message about our society. Exceptional image.
22 Feb 2008 9:46am
@sherri: Thank you Sherri; am happy you stopped by here today. BTW, I really like the white cat on the porch shot at your place.
what a sad joke,that was my first thought,businesses trying to make light of others' separation but to have an office like this probably means there is a huge market for it.I salute you and Judy,GOSH.Please share with me some of your secrets of keeping marriage alive when you are free.My husband and i would have been married for 4 years in a few months' time.You must be thinking,gosh,4 years,when was that for me??You have already gone 9 rounds of 4 years ahead of me.Congratulations!!!LOL.On a more serious note,looking at the increasing rate of divorce in my country,the number of broken families does strike a chord of fear in my heart.Even in my son's kindy,there are lots of brochures on maintenance and divorce-think twice- etc.
22 Feb 2008 9:48am
@tyan: My parents divorced after 10 years of marriage; I was 9. That was almost 50 years ago; I still feel the pain. Divorce is destructive to far more people than just the ex-husband and ex-wife. There is much collateral damage done to innocents (like children) who happen to be part of that former family relationship. I am convinced the high divorce rate is right near the heart of why our society is in such sad shape and why gangs and senseless violence exists in such numbers. The other part of the why has to do with single moms with children/children with no known (to them) father. I read last week that 40% of all births in the U.S. next year will be to unmarried women. Between high divorce rates and men who can biologically father a child, but not be a father to that child, we are sowing the seeds of our own destruction.
You ask for some of our "secrets" for a long marriage... I don't know about secrets, but in no particular order (except for one) I do have some notions as to why and how a marriage can last... commitment friendship/best friendship hard work being positive and encouraging knowing when to say "No!" to something God's grace (this is #1) love and sacrifice faithfulness willingness to forgive and forgive and forgive... truth loyalty self-discipline physical and emotional attraction choosing your mate wisely faith in God faith in spouse faith in your relationship knowing yourself, your weaknesses and strengths humility allowing your spouse to be "only human" allowing yourself to be "only human" knowing that real love is far more than just a feeling communicating well fighting fairly making up when you've disagreed or fought knowing how to say "I am sorry" and mean it knowing how to accept an apology not keeping lists of wrongs done understanding and embracing the truth in 1 Corinthians 13
These are just a few things I've picked up along the way. It's a long-distance run, not a sprint. Pacing yourself a day at a time is often the best way to begin to practice some of these tips. It's also one of the best ways I know to not have to go through the doors of a place like I've photographed in my post here today.
I guess when you want a divorce you want it ASAP! Great find VF!
22 Feb 2008 9:49am
@Craiger: Right you are Craiger. It's always easier to "jump and dump" than it is to work at making things better.
Well it could be worse, it could be a drive-thru! Great shot
22 Feb 2008 10:22am
@Images by KC Photography: Yes, thankfully the drive-through window isn't there yet.
Funny and sad. With our throwaway culture it is too easy to just give up and try again (and again and again...) instead of working hard to keep a marriage alive. It is not always easy but I believe always worth it (19 years this July).
22 Feb 2008 10:47am
@Chris: Congrats at the coming 19 years. Many more!
Wonderful capture and so sad to think that our society has come to this and takes marriage and divorce so lightly! Chris says it very well...and btw....19 years in October for me.
22 Feb 2008 11:03am
@Jen: Well done Jen; 19 years of marriage these days is a big achievement.
This (the title and subject matter) would make an excellent sequel to the 1970s program "Love American Style" – sadly. The sentiment in the window says it all…
22 Feb 2008 11:09am
@Ron: Capitalism can have a rather ugly underside.
Great Capture!
22 Feb 2008 11:17am
@HorseRotorVator: Appreciate your comment my friend.
Great find! Now there is a "slow food" mouvement in many countries, I wonder if we are going to see a "slow divorce" mouvement soon?
22 Feb 2008 11:26am
@vu@granby - Wolfgang Prigge: I believe a slow down and think about it process would be an excellent change of pace.
Oh VF!! This really is rip snortin' hilarious!! It's that lawyer chasing the ambulance joke... Great find and nicely done!! And yes it is also a very sad state of affairs. Too many are too ready to "jump and dump". I've been married since the tender age of 18... almost 28yrs of marriage through all the trials and tribulations. It's been a hell of a ride and I'm still not ready to get off!! LOL
22 Feb 2008 12:51pm
@amy: Way to go, gal! 28 years and still the best is yet to come. Terrific attitude -- makes for good marriages. Oh, and I am glad you like this shot - I agree, it's like that joke. Bloodsuckers come in all professions; but ambulance chasers and legal divorce pimps just invite the worst in all of us to be directed at their way of making a living off of the misery of others.
What an amazing business advert! Very well captured
22 Feb 2008 3:32pm
@standley: Truly. I was amazed to see it. Am just glad to have had my camera handy when the light turned red.
great shot! very funny (in a "though not funny in real life" way)!
22 Feb 2008 3:46pm
@danthro: Thanks for the nice comment, danthro. Editorially speaking, I've got to wonder about the character of a person who will advertise his/her services so blatantly.
Yes, right back to earth :) You have a good eye for signage :)
22 Feb 2008 5:17pm
@Ken McCoy: Lol. Thing is, there's just a lot of good signs out there just waiting for a guy with a camera to find them. I figure that could be me.
Well, when you gotta go, you gotta go...
22 Feb 2008 10:13pm
@Daroru: :o)
funny but sad.
22 Feb 2008 11:15pm
I so agree with your sad commentary, VF but this post really took a serious turn when you shared your notions. Thanks for sharing!
23 Feb 2008 12:53am
Love it!! and love your picture title!
23 Feb 2008 9:28am
This is really a very awesome shot. I find it sad.
24 Feb 2008 7:42pm
i dont know if it's me but this world is starting to get quite warped and sad. sigh.
24 Feb 2008 8:28pm
So funny. :)
25 Feb 2008 7:38am
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