backyard secrets

I ran into an old friend of mine John, the other day - it had been awhile.

John Lambie, and his noted father locally, had both contributed greatly to an experimental legacy that began here in Sarasota. And with John, with his early-on environmental-friendly, Florida House (1992) - John inspired for many, the responsible need for future "eco-friendly" construction and home design, that reached out on a national level.

John had invited me to his annual holiday party earlier in the week. And, I was the first to arrive (must have gotten the time wrong), but it provided for me, an opportunity to wander and peer at his small, yet very unique backyard.

John described it as, a "perma-culture" garden, inspired by the late German social reformer, the esoteric - Rudolf Steiner. It would all be to difficult to explain - or even at times, try to understand, but I do like to grow things - and the study of "bio-dynamics" seem to resonate for me, from somewhere.

  

Sally invites us to lunch

And tells us how much she has always loved Christmas, ever since she was a child.

Aloha Trailer Park

This is a story, not just about a trailer park, but a story about the death and dying of a small town that I once knew.  Yesterday, on our home phone machine, I played back a recently recorded message; "This is Marsha, Marc's wife - Brad, he would really love to talk to you. Please call back".  And after nearly some twenty years, I did.

Marc (Marcel) was like an older brother when I was a young teen, when I felt adrift after being abandoned by the death of a mother and an absentee father. For four years, Marc and I covered a lot ground - hittin' the road, driving, hitch-hiking, and one summer in 1967 - we fell stranded while 'hittin' it' in New York City.

That same summer, we were robbed and nearly shot at gun point in Rhode Island, and while bumming-it, out on Massachusetts's Cape Cod, we both became a potential witness to a murder out on the "dunes".  Hastily, we thumbed our way back to the Boston Turnpike, where we scrawled out a cardboard sign, which read;  San Francisco.

Today at Aloha Trailer Park - Marc sat in his chair, slow in thought, short in movement, where we reminisced once again - all the while, both smoking and drinking from his bottled whiskey.

 


Marc's mother - Vastaa Kyselyn Finannasta (Vera Kimris) who I had known late in her life, was a French-Russian aerialist who had head-lined with the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Show.  "Vera's" renowned act - hanging by her teeth from a revolving airplane while performing under the 'big top'.

Marc flipping through his scrapbook.

After nearly 3 hours of conversation between Marc and I, Marsha tells me, "Let him rest. But I want to show you what's left of this poor old park".

The Aloha Trailer Park backs-up against Phillippi Creek, and on my hour tour, there were signs of a still active "homeless camp" back in the woods.

U.S. Open (2016)

We started out slow, but came on big with an important win today.

The U.S. Open Lawn Bowling Championships are being held this year locally, here in our Sarasota. Fourteen countries are being represented with over 250 participants. Our local Club (SLBC) has been preparing for over a year to host this international competition - attracting the best of the best.

My first day of competing - with no friends or family expecting to be there sitting green-side - heading out the door this morning, I was more than lucky, surprised when my Knuckle's offered me the biggest, longest tongue, face kiss ever received. A very good omen.

My "Fours" (our foursome team) narrowly lost in our first morning match (13-17).  So as the acting designated captain, we decided to switch up positions, with me taking the next play as the start-off 'lead'. We jumped-up big on our afternoon match  - and won in a huge landslide victory - (34-9).

Tomorrow early we compete again in the next bracket - and once again when leaving the house - I'll be looking forward to that big, wet send-off from a very supportive and excited Knuckles.


 Signage along Sarasota's Bayfront Drive.

International dignitaries arriving.

The stage was set.

Individual countries being announced and introduced alphabetically on to the greens.

Thank God for our little "Miss Siesta Key Teen" USA. She made me smile. It helped a lot.

My new friend, a "cool cat" Marcus Zeino, representing the San Francisco Lawn Bowling Club.

Aussie "Jeff" in his club's team colors.

My two "bowling" buddies with their two opposing national flags - Australia & New Zealand.

 

Our "fours" team after today's competition, photographed by an ecstatic fan.
Richard, Bob, Clem and myself.

(Wednesday update)

Today we played two more matches, in the semi-finals and in the division finals - we won both. Now new fans, with cash and a trophy. The imagination runs wild - considering this to be my first ever international event.

U.S. Open Men's Four (flight 3 division) Champions.

With our team's "foursome" win, I dedicated it to our Club's, Dick LaBrie - (a sportsman and a shepherd).



 

election night / 4:00 am

An empty pack.

election day (keeping it clean & simple)

Now that we hopefully, all have voted - it's almost over.  Now just awaiting for the aftermath.

Hunting Lodge (Nicasio)

The original, three story "hunting lodge" (outside Nicasio in West Marin, in northern California) was built in the early 1900's. Hunters and many families had made it their vacation stay during those early years. The Summer family bought the property some twenty years ago and have lived at the lodge since - while there, raising their one and only son.

My Sandy, has always had the ability to find the unusual and quirky places to stay. So, we booked it for a week - the two of us - expecting our extended families to come for visits. At times the place felt a little spooky, and on several occasions, haunted. Doors opening and closing by themselves - and a little 'creaky' on some of those long chilly nights. In most rooms, there were burned down candles that appeared commonly used. The owner's, the Summer's, upon greeting us, barely gave us the needed instructions before they departed for Savannah, Georgia.  A very sweet couple.

Keep-sakes and memorabilia left behind by their grown son.

Sandy dressing-up as the "Fairy Godmother".

the Property

gettin' out-and-about

West Marin County (across the bay from San Francisco).