Keelie's Big Adventure

Christmas shopping on the bike.

memories

Memories.  All we have today, til tomorrow.

My kinda place.

birthday & anniversary

Keelie's 44th birthday and Caren's 1st anniversary.  Keelie's own chosen rich, dark chocolate cake.  And, some late evening "bayou" offerings.  Happy & Sad.

talking insurance

After three auto accidents, in three different vehicles in a 5 week period (latest / my son's Ford truck) - most my time has been on the phone with insurance companies.  Time consuming non-sense with many non-returned calls.  Today, just trying to get the latest, at-fault party's insurance company to return a call - or at the least, just to get a person to answer one of my calls.  I usually start leaving messages early @ 9:00 am - still in my bathrobe.

sayin' goodbye to a good friend & true buddy

After 7 years of hangin' out - being on the road together and sharing some great music - today, I finally said my goodbyes.  Went to the body shop and removed my license plate, and all my personal belongings.  Put everything in a cardboard box - and walked away.

thanksgivings

First Thanksgiving dinner without a least one family member.  Very odd for us, after all these years.

two cars down

Yesterday was a little crazy.  My wife Sandy and I dropped off her car yesterday morning at the auto body shop after an accident she was involved in from the prior week.  Her vehicle needed a new front bumper and repairs to the front end.

In the afternoon, Sandy borrowed my truck to go to physical therapy.  At about 7:00 pm, I get a call from an EMT saying that they were transporting my 'wife' to the hospital - "she was broadsided in an accident" - could you meet her at Doctor's Hospital, in the ER?

Arriving very anxious at one of our worst, and understaffed hospitals, I felt noxious. Had to have a cigarette before I could walk in through the doors.  Went to the nurses' station and they assured me she was going to be OK.  They had her in radiology.  Time for another cigarette.

Sandy is goin' to be alright, a little banged up, but alright.  She will just need a little more physical therapy. But, thank god for our son's, Wilson's truck - our last vehicle.  Somewhat dependable, but hadn't been started in over a month.  Driving home from the hospital late, Sandy a little medicated and still in shock said, "This isn't such a bad truck".  But, I didn't tell her, on my way to the ER, that a roach had crawled up from underneath the seat, and up inside my shirt - and that, I had nearly wrecked my son's truck.

one hundrieth year

Dr. Joel Elkes - retired Professor Emeritus, current painter, water-colorist and friend.  Past director of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at John Hopkins University.  Psychiatrist-in-Chief (retired) John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.

We've been hanging out of late - Joel giving me plenty of advice and smiles - and me, just spending time photographing him.  Another sweetheart.

the smoke-off ..... & toss-off

The 12th annual Terra Ceia Mullet Festival.  Florida's native fish.

 Terra Ceia Island

The "smoke-off" trophy

Ricky Gullet - this years 2013 "smoke-off" winner.  His secret recipe - smoked 'juveniles', buttered with fresh squeezed lime.

Eight year old, Reece Lane - the "volunteer rounder" - roundin' up the competitive 'tossed' mullet.

The 'Toss Off' - 57 competitors with only 9 mullet.

working at Denny's

I started working at Denny's.  To much distraction at home.  So, for the past month or so, I've been taking my legal pad, my notes, my pencils and pens, and started spreading them out across the counter at Denny's.  At the 'check-out' one late-night, I noticed a small posted comment on the wall behind the register, "Who needs a corner office when you've got the corner booth" - finally realizing, now I could just take over that back booth - that perfect fit, to finally finish writing those difficult lengthy captions for an upcoming photography exhibit.

About 11:00 pm Thursday night, when I typically arrive, I was ready to set up - not realizing it was Halloween. I noticed my server friend (I call her "sweetie"), Kimberly all dressed up. And, as always, she had that special twinkle in her eye. A real sweetheart, even though I rarely order bacon.

Today / tonight, I'm working on that final caption, and after completion, I will certainly miss my new late-night friends - and surely, that new found office space.

a cheering crowd

My son Matt had just flown in from California to do some photo shoots for a local client.  Always busy, I was hoping on his last day, to at least get my son back out on the water.  Been years - I raised that boy fishing - and being on the water, those were the best of times with the kids.

Well, Matt and I went out this afternoon and we were doin' well - catching fish. The wind was fresh from the north, so we drifted downwind on different spots.  One large Snook had already broken a line, so Matt was taking it serious. And, was doing his best to help me get this one in, so we could finally release it.

As we drifted up close to a 'sea-walled' property, with neither one of us paying attention, suddenly a loud cheer went up. And, with some hand clapping coming from an ongoing, outside house party (twenty or more folks), I believe that Snook got more pleasure - and was more stunned, than we were.
 

 

humanity or ad agency?

the scenic route

My buddies, Pete & Jim, were off to the races - the vintage motorcycle races outside Birmingham, Alabama.  I decided to go along for the ride.  At least the part through the rolling hills of western Georgia - that cherished rural ride from so many past trips.

Pete had mapped his route out on his GPS.  Mine was strickly routed from long-term memory.  After nearly seven hours of riding (Florida to Georgia), we came upon a stop sign. Pete comes up along side of me and signals left - and I want to go right. We pull over to discuss the different benefits.

Shortly, the local Sheriff Deputy shows up to give us a hand. Now our new friend, Deputy S.A. Ogle provides some assistance, "to the left is your shortcut, if that's what your wanting."  I personally know most of these backroads, but Pete & Jim take his advice, take the left - the truck route.  I turn right - the scenic rural route.  Being a local, our good natured Deputy Ogle never could figure out my use of the term "scenic".

By nightfall, that right turn had put me on that road for another 5 hours, but finally I stopped. Dinner - Fresh Perch with fried Okra and some of those seasonal deep-fried corn nuggets at Oscar's Soul Food, in Morgan, Georgia.


At the crossroads - Pete, Jim and Sheriff Deputy, S.A. Ogle.

Ebenezer Baptist Church

Cotton fields

Alfalfa harvest

Mom's 'home cookin' and Last Supper

On the road to Plains, Georgia - to say "Hi" to Jimmy Carter

Drugstore and Soda Fountain - bought a handful of "Squirrel Nut Zippers"

7:30 pm - still a little to early for dinner - just me an Oscar.  He's in the kitchen cookin' up the Perch  

Oscar's Soul Food - Morgan, GA

visiting with my friend Heidi

We're old friends.  Known each other since High School.

This morning I stopped by, while she poured up some coffee, fed her 5 Chihuahuas and cooked breakfast for her Great Dane - Tucker.  Heidi's family were restaurateurs, so cooking for her is second-nature and a much loved, part of her life.

Over the years, Heidi and I have worked side-by-side on many projects together and currently she is my needed direction and the impetus for an upcoming exhibition for Sarasota County.  And, besides all that, she's a great gal.

Denny's

At 2:00 am, Sarasota never ever looked so good.

the great outdoors

For the past four days we've had over 8 inches of rain and today, it finally broke.  Was raring to get the canoe back out on the water, but the tides were wrong and the water had been turned, a deep blood colored red.

So instead I turned my attention back to the motorbike.  In a little over a week, I'll be heading out for a road trip.  Spent this morning just going over the bike - looking for any unknown surprises - and from the rear wheel, found several broken spokes and a few loose ones.  So, this afternoon, I moseyed over to the motorcycle shop to inquire about parts and labor.  Hap's Cycle has been around since the late '40's and it's always that big adventure to wander through their shop.  Collecting dust in today's find, two unique motorbikes.  And, both beautiful.  Makes me want to be outdoors.


An original 1956 Bonneville

And, a unique 1952 Whizzer

club scene

Rarely go out anymore, but on the rare occasion, I do.  Awhile back I read in the paper about a national act to play locally, in a local club.  The hook for me was the harmonica player - an old white 'cat' in his seventies.

Showed up early for that seat at the bar.  Within twenty minutes there were people standing in front of me, blocking the view.  I remember when I was young, when the club got packed, we would all just sit on the floor - stage front.  I guess now we're all to old for that nonsense.

Well this brings up a post from an old friend, older than I, from a heated comment on his blog, complaining about his recent club experience.  As a photographer, he was shooting away, non-stop, but got hell from the band.  Told to "Fuck Off."

Awhile back I had a similar experience.  Two young, and up-and-coming musicians were warming up, but with my iPhone camera, I got to close - and I felt their wrath.  I apologized.  I guess that's what is expected today.  Both were good, real good and cute - and both, that new hot and up-and-coming musician.

Myakka State Park

My old friend Myakka.  The Park was beautiful today after such heavy summer rains - plenty of green vistas and high water.  Not to many people out and about for a Sunday.  High water - and no water.

recycling (rag to bone)

I've been trying to get rid of an old lawn mower, one that died last year for lack of attention. Even once, tried to rebuild the carburetor but messed it up even more. Could never get it to run smoothly - or run at all.

I asked several lawn maintenance people, who would take it, and they all told me - leave it by the street on garbage night. So last night I pushed it out and left it next to the recycling bins.  This morning as I went out for the paper, it was gone, and left in it's place - an odd looking globe-shaped table.

Apparently this is very common. People nightly, roaming the neighborhoods - scouring the pick-up routes. When their truck bed is over-filled, they replace their items of lessor value at the same location.

Reminding me of my early years in England, when the "rag & bone man" would make his rounds on a late Friday afternoon.

early September, late afternoon skies

Pretty Polly

I've got a new pet - "Pretty Polly".  She arrived in a cardboard box with a set of instructions, a perch and 3 flat shaped batteries.

For the past year or so, I haven't been sleeping well. Some late nights - I'm up - just watching infomercials for hours, intrigued by them all. Well at $14.99, this offer seemed kinda special.  "Polly" is life sized, turns her head and wiggles her tail and all with a true (but slightly mechanical) sound of a real "budgie".  She greets you with her friendly chirp automatically when you are up close - then finally falls asleep when the lights are out.

So now, I have my buddy Knuckles under my desk - and Pretty Polly on top, all keeping me company here in the office.

Siesta Beach reunion

Last week, some of my childhood friends showed up in town. The Brodheads came home for a family wedding.  I was invited to Siesta Beach to celebrate, where we shared a Chinese take-out, atop a customized Brodhead made 'paddleboard'.  I hadn't been to the beach in years.  Some good family remembrances.

DeSoto County

Today - a bike ride, along those rural back-roads throughout DeSoto County.  It's close to home and always more than interesting - with the landscape and the architecture.  Stopped along the side of the road for a smoke and these boys pulled up behind me, just to adjust the flags on their 'muddin' Jeep.

"Can I take some photos?"
 "What'cha need em' for?"
"Oh ....just for personal use."

 (now, trying to tone down this last line) 
 "Better not see those on damn Facebook, or I'll kick your ass!"