60th bithday party for my first ever girlfriend

"Nise" and her husband live on a little more than five acres out east of town. They keep up certain trails throughout the property and boy did I get excited. With a drink in my hand and good long smoke, I walked the trails, and through the underbrush, and forgot how beautiful a 'natural' Florida once was or is.

The Live Oaks, the Longleaf Pines, the palmettos and the common Cabbage Palm. The Red Cedars, the Red Maple and the Loblolly Bays - all existing so naturally - and all unlike my overly manicured and maintained garden. It was the best part of the party.

  

Brugmansia

Garden is coming along just fine this time of year.

Cuban Laurels

My twenty foot cuban laurels that I shape bi-annually.  Knuckles is my only support - a little moaning - a little barking, but not much real help.

Miami per diem

So my good friend, Mr. Eric, calls me awhile ago and says he's flying into Miami for his photo show, wants me to attend. I hummed and hawed for a couple of weeks - then spur of the moment, I just went - even though I'm not big on big towns.  And South Beach can be South Beach.

So, in my 24 hour turn around time, Eric on my arrival, tells me we're good - it's a 'per diem'.  And, never one to complain, it's always good to get out and about, at any cost.  But like most other towns -  still hard to find a true breakfast at 5:00am.

The Carlton Ranch

In 1989, after the tragic death of her husband Mabry, Barbara Carlton and her young daughters, Lisa and Kim, took over all operations of this large cattle ranch out east of town. Now, it's been over a year since I was out there - doing a photo story for a magazine.  And at the time, and for some damn reason, the assigned writer never followed through, and foolishly, once made an appearance sporting her 'new-bought' trendy boots - but, the time spent with this close matriarchal family was special.

So much so, that on my last day there and feeling brave - I approached a large Brahman bull in the field who took offense to me and my camera.  And, after that aggravated bull's tail snapped out loud, I ran for my life - and those wizened 'cow-punchers' sittin' in their pick-up, certainly got a good laugh at my expense.

Today, I only wish I was back out there - all tired and dirty - at that hard working Carlton cattle ranch - and confronting that large bull, just one more time.

(click on image to enlarge).

A short slide show with song. (but can't figure out You Tube, so the quality is only decent with small images).

http://youtu.be/1kdhw_zMNw0