bearing gifts

An old friend / photographer, Mr. Eric Kroll came for a stay, and always Eric bearing gifts. Some small, some large and mysterious, but always that pleasant surprise. He arrived at the door with several bags - one in particular, an old worn suitcase of about 20 pounds tightly packed. Eric just thought that maybe, one day, one of my grand-daughter's might want it, or with it's contents, possibly have a use for it.

First night out carousing, and only by accident, we found a great Portuguese restaurant. And, being their only guests, the two of us were treated accordingly. But, Eric is always busy - a million miles an hour. We laugh and reminisce, but the pinging, the postings all keep coming and going. Being known, with over a million Instagram followers (?) it's true patience trying to keep the conversation all moving in one direction. But Eric is special, a deep heart - and caring.

Often referred to as the "King of Fetish", Kroll has amassed a vast collection of vintage female clothing, unique outfits all worn by women of a certain stature, and all being rewarded back by his camera.

After 3 days at the house, this morning Eric split - and I opened the suitcase.

As probably guessed - an original, vintage Weeki Wachee mermaid costume made out of latex and molded rubber. Heavy, but well suited and buoyant, needed while swimming (mermaid-ing) down deep, on site, at Weeki Wachee's natural springs.  (now which grand-daughter?)




 

lately everyone seems tired, a little worn-out, depressed

Shots of a few bumper stickers from around town. Shiny new cars and all. One that I missed recently from the rear at a red light .... "Build the wall, Crime will fall."   All shiny new cars.

so simple

A taste pleasure I had almost forgotten, probably been 25 years. A classic root beer float made with IBC Root Beer and scoops of homemade vanilla ice cream. Saw it listed on a chalkboard at a favorite cafe. Somethings are meant for each other. Sure tasted good.

trial run

Finished the restoration on the canoe, mounted the engine - and set out on the bay for the trial run.

Everything started out sunny, and all went well while running in the shallows .......

10 hours at varying speeds recommended to break-in the new little 4-stroke.

Then, late in the afternoon, there came a strong easterly wind, with gusts and heavy showers - all the while, me trying to cross an unexpected rough and very choppy, Roberts Bay.  Got home tired, worn-out, a little beat.  I surely was, I surely felt like, a struggling Captain Ahab aboard his doomed ship, the Pequod.  Now can't wait for the real test upcoming - those promised back-country expeditions.

Woke up to find this in the next day's morning paper.  Funny?

"rehabilitation"

A quote from architect Chris Wenzel (Hall Architects) as I yelled up to him, asking him for a descriptive phrase, while he stood atop (in profile, blue shirt) on the rooftop of the original William & Marie Selby home (circa 1921).  "A renovation, a restoration?", I asked.  "No", he called back, ".....  a rehabilitation."