Tampa Taxi Shots

I have a new and wonderful friend. Her name is Angel. George found her on his way home at 3 in the morning running around on the elevated span of highway 19 in Clearwater. He pulled over and pulled out of a storm drain. He took her home and knocked on my door. He has two cats and wanted me to keep her overnight until he could find a neighbor to take her. I fell in love with her. She is now my best friend and keeps me company for I live alone. It's not fair that so much cuteness can be crammed into such a little thing.

I have retired from taxi driving for good. I turned the keys in and walked away from 24 years on the streets. In a way, like Ronald Reagan said, the taxi business walked away from me. Anyway, I am home and doing nothing but getting caught up on a bunch of personal stuff. I am loving it. Check out this video about how I spend most mornings now. I have applied to work for Lyft and was approved, of course. I should be getting a new car next week and will be driving for them. Ride share has become the new taxi companies and they deliver what I am looking for. I have two monthly checks coming in which are enough to live off of. So don't worry about me. Its just that I was not exactly ready to retire but the circumstances gave me no choice. It does feel good, by the way.

I had a drop off in Clearwater Beach (not far from where I live. I mean their vacation rental was right a beach access. Nice. They were from the cold north and they were ready to enjoy some fun in the sun. Good for them. The locals must work like anywhere else. Across the street was an abandoned Beach house. Perhaps a testament to the economic collapse that disrupted many lives in Florida. As I was looking at it thinking of the potential, this friendly cat emerged. I really hope he was not just left behind. I could see if he was feral. Anyway, hanging out at the beach. Not bad. I named him "Beach Bum."

These cats got it made. They are well fed by the mechanics and drivers. Come by at sunrise and you will ser JD pull up. He has been feeding these guys for ten years every morning The black one is not as feral as he was but he must really know you to pet him. I sort of wish someone would have made pets out of these guys. "Flat Top"even rolled over for me. What a nice kitty. posted from Bloggeroid

"Teacup" the cat at Haslam's Bookstore seems to be doing fine. I once photographed Teacup in 2006 and used it on the first Tampa Taxi Shots blog. It was such a good portrait, that image is now being used on Pinterest . I am flattered. It seems people just love old, comfy bookstores. I do. Haslam's is the oldest, and largest old bookstore in Florida. Some say the place is haunted. We do know that Teacup and his siblings roam the place freely and beckon for scratches and belly rubs. Teacup circa 2006 (TAMPA TAXI SHOTS) Unfortunately, the Internet allows people to buy books cheap. However, isn't there something to be said about the experience of browsing, sipping coffee, petting Teacup? I mean you can take a pill that will give you all the nutrition of a steak. But, wouldn't you rather eat the steak!? They can make babies in a test tube. But, wouldn't you rather make babies the old fashion way?! I'm not really sure what Pinterest is but they like...

This is "Flat-Top." This little kitty lives in the yard at United Cab. He survives by drivers feeding him. He is tame, and very nice. He has been hanging around for years, playing peekaboo under the lot taxis. He has been here for years and I always wondered why no driver has taken him home. He would make a fine pet. I can't have pets where I'm at or I would have. Anyway, Flat-Top was soon on his way to wait for the next morning when J.D. will arrive at sunrise with cat food. He has been fixed, just like the black cat that has been here for eleven years. posted from Bloggeroid

I got a call at the shrimp docks this morning for Jose. I never did find my fare but a little kitty was hanging around looking for shrimp. He seemed kind of lost, and was friendly. Cats are the most misunderstood animal.

I threw some food out to feed one cat. Today, I see this. I guess word spreads among cats about the soup kitchens. I like cats. I just can't have them where I live. They seem to be peaceful creatures.