The Heart of HCSO....

Originally from Tampa/Brandon FL, I have made my home under the Carolina blue skies for the past
26-1/2 years. But I get homesick all the time. I miss my family; friends; my best girlfriend, Linda; Frank and Diane; the drive across the Skyway Bridge....I could go on and on. The restaurants are amazing too. La Septima and Brocatos are two of my favorites. I'm not sure what or who I miss more - my family or the great Latin food. No offense, but I think it's a tie.  :)

I am proud to say that I am a Tampa native, and it was the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) who was the law enforcement presence in the area where I grew up. They still are. 

While I was working on a new community service video for CMPD, I found some wonderful photos on the HCSO's Facebook page that expresses their compassion for the children in Hillsborough County, so I made them a video. I have been wanting to do something for them for a long time - albeit now three states away - to show my appreciation for their continued service to my friends and family who still live there.   

I shared this video with my HCSO contact on Wednesday and I am proud to report that he loved it and I think the sheriff did too. It is currently making the rounds on Facebook and Twitter. 

This is the Heart of HCSO.  ♥  

I thought every picture was precious, but I especially loved the expression on this little one. Whatever he was saying looked super important and he had the deputy's attention. The expression on his face and his hand gestures.... priceless. Just as cute as can be.  ♥ 
                                                           

Thinking about a visit to Tampa? Here's a great link to help get you started.  https://www.visittampabay.com/

Video photo credit: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Engagement....Service....Community

Purely by happenstance (I love that word), I started making amateur videos when a friend wanted a video made to commemorate her sister's 60th birthday and asked if I could help. Up until that point, I had never made a video. My friend comes from a large family and large families take lots of pictures and, boy, did she ever have a lot of pictures! I really learned a lot with that first video.

Making videos suit me I think and I enjoy making them. Unless there is a stressful deadline, it is very therapeutic. I learn something new every time I make a new one, and I have enjoyed watching my progress over the last few years.

I have made two community service videos for my friends at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department using photos from their Facebook page (w/ permission) and below is the most recent. I follow CMPD's Facebook page and when they share a picture I think I can use, I save it. When I eventually have enough pictures, another video is born.

I love these friends of mine. 

This is Officer Spencer....he is in this video, but I wanted to give him a shout-out because he was so sweet to me during my foot surgery last year. It was a very physically and challenging time for me, but calls and visits (like his) kept my spirits up. He has such a kind heart. He brought me a few Starbucks Mocha Frappucinos when he was in my area, and out of the blue one night, texted me to see if I needed anything. It meant the world to me. Your kindness won't be forgotten, Sir.

♥