Sammy's Place

Once a year us guys (the "lost boys") get together for a motorcycle camp-out at Sammy's place.  His pasture land borders on the northern end of Lake Okeechobee, in south central Florida.

Sammy Ferrell's family were in the dairy cow business for over a hundred years - and included all four family generations - until a 60 year old great-grandson, "Sammy", finally retired the business in 1996.  The original family property covered 700 acres.  But now, Sammy's got it down to 140 for grazing cattle - while Sammy's oldest boy, Jason, runs a fruit & vegetable stand just up on the outer edge of their lakeside property, right off of highway 78.

Our annual Saturday night dinner has always been served-up around the campfire with at least 40 head of free-roaming, standing around - mooing cows. And luckily for us, Sammy's good buddy and ours, Mr. "Fuzzy" Fowler (a native & fellow rider), plans-out the dinner menu each year, from whatever local wildlife he's recently caught.

This year - Fresh frog legs dusted with corn meal, gator tail, "crappie" fillets, and hush puppies - and all served up with local produce from the Ferrell family "stand" up on the road.

Sammy's place - rich in heritage, simple in life.

entrance road to Sammy's place

the old "herd" mule for many years, who served his life well

Sammy's old "cracker" house he's still fixing up

Sammy - one of the nicest guy's you'd ever want to meet.  Sammy with two of his grand-kids, Raylan & Kimber, who he "pals-out" with every day.

my two buddies at the Club

All three of us began "bowling" as newcomers this past year after joining Sarasota's historic Lawn Bowling Club.  Some say it's the oldest sport in the world - possibly pre-dating the Egyptian period. Lawn Bowling's heritage is long, and this game of true 'finesse', is typically played today throughout the many British Commonwealth countries.

All three of us, as "starters", have taken on the Club's many volunteering duties, while setting-up the Club's equipment and "greens" - laying out the daily agenda - trying to make all things run smoothly.  Geoff Old moved to the "States" as a retired professional rugby player - "All Blacks" (New Zealand) - and found this new sport, soothing, relaxing, and loving the one-on-one intensity and concentration.  My other buddy, Don Gordon, a retired federal agent with the Bureau of Land Management found something similar.

And, for all three of us - sometimes the damn game itself is difficult to even put into words.  But, both Geoff and Don particularly, have brought many of their own life skills (many more than I have) towards this year's overall Club's activities. And now, both having evolved competitively, have become - great up-and-coming tournament players.


Geoff Old - with his signature style.

Don Gordon - raising the Scottish 'national' flag - and caring about all things, big and small.

And me, soon to be back out there, on the greens - in probably about another hour.

been staying close to home lately ....

and haven't had the chance to get out and run into any new interesting characters of late. So, my annual physical went well this week - and, Knuckles has his tomorrow. He loves his vet.  Two days ago I finished-up painting the top second story of our house - so, I should be happy for a little while.

But, two weeks ago, when I was shooting an editorial job, my camera "bugged out" on me while shooting in continuous high mode. So, for last 24 hours I've been on line researching new equipment. It's a real shame that the local professional camera shops have all closed up and all moved to the internet.  I need that tactile feel and would love to have something to hold in my hands.  Today on-line, too much information, reviews that read like Facebook wars and sales people still holding on line 6.

This will be my fourth time in my career that I've had to upgrade to all new professional equipment. And now, finally found a classic camera body with all the high-end digital capabilities. And, probably my last ever purchase of camera gear.  So, all they say they need is a credit card.  No hand shake, no thank you's.

the upcoming Oscars

I've had a few in my short life, but my favorite award from this past year was given to me by my salacious buddy and photographer, Eric Kroll.  I forgot about this special one (Best Supporting Actor).  Found it piled behind the stacked-up clothes on my dresser - and now I'm a little embarrassed for not treating it more like that deserved Oscar that it is.