Festa de Iemanjá

My offerings and appreciation for the diety, Iemanjá, is practiced year round near our waters edge. My shrine is lit each New Years Eve in celebration.

Iemanjá, goddess (or orixá) of the sea, is a central deity in the Candomblé, afro-religion of Brazil. She watches over sailors, fishermen and women, and controls their catches. She is very powerful, and is concerned with every aspect of fertility and family; she is also the protector of children - and always draped in either blue or white. 

On each New Years Eve, small, personally related gifts are gathered. These are then released out on the water as an offering, and by acceptance, float out to the sea.

For 25 cents .....

Today in Arcadia, I took her photo - and The Great Madam Zoltar tells of an upcoming fortune, predicting my future year. Both of us possibly traveling on the same train.

day after

 

 

 

"the impeccable peach"

An amazing young woman, Miss Veniece.  Her first solo journey on the road, across Florida, with her "in progress" Bluebird, a Chevrolet B6, 30 ft long raised roof, long bus. She's on the road building as she goes - improvising on all the needed mechanical necessities, while devising her own unique interior layout and design. 

The overall excitement as she explains all this, is infectious. Some improvements sounded radical, but she's seemed fearless and sound.

 

 

As I first entered the bus, Veniece immediately apologized as the driver's seat appeared occupied. 

 

 

And, as she explained the overall visual chaos, she reassured me that all was still "in progress". (Currently installing lamb's wool for the needed ceiling insulation).

 

Veniece's current sleeping quarters with a privacy wallboard temporarily installed.

 

Her new friends Lucas & Jim, cooking an outside "road lunch" using a portable butane cooker.

 

Veniece, happy with her served-upped meal of black beans & rice, and happy with her added new friends.

 

An amazing project - and an amazing young woman. A solar paneled vehicle; a self-sufficient traveler with big dreams and the mechanical know-how, soon to be out on the road as a full-time big adventure.

 

 

VISIT;  Veniece Cameron; of Naples, Florida. A High School Science teacher, hittin' the road - on Instagram, @theimpeccablepeach.  https://www.instagram.com/p/CBvcut6HzB1/ 

Jesus Sarasota, what went wrong?

The Vision of Philip Hanson Hiss (Exhibition)

Architecture Sarasota, McCulloch Pavillion, Sarasota, Fla.

“A man of many well-developed interests, Hiss is an author, photographer, explorer, real estate developer and civic leader. However, none of his interests is stronger than architectural design”.  St. Petersburg Times, 1964

 

An important exhibit dedicated to a rare individual who brought progressive thought to a small town, mid-century Sarasota. 

The exhibit should have been a noted milestone for the city. But only one other person appeared on that final day when I attended, they spending not more that 15 minutes while walking through a well designed and informative space. I spent easily over an hour viewing, reading, and absorbing. 

As a youth, I was lucky to have brushed-up along side Philip Hiss, for just a few years - there at the family home and studio, where at 15, I first experienced photography, forever memorialized by several of Hiss's large black & white mural prints of Bali. 

 A portrait of Philip Hiss on the studio stairs.

 

 

Locally, several of the more notable architects that Hiss closely collaborated with; Paul Rudolph (below) and I. M. Pei (New College, Sarasota, 1963).

The "Umbrella House" (Paul Rudolph, 1953) built on Philip Hiss's, newly-named Lido Shores tract, next door to the Hiss studio and eventual home.

The Sarasota High School addition, (Paul Rudolph, 1958-1959) which Philip Hiss pushed through during his position while on the Sarasota County School Board.

 

The original Hiss studio (Tim Seibert, architect, 1953) on Lido Shores.

 

 

A maquette (architect's model) for the later added Hiss living quarters incorporating the original second story studio, (Bert Brosmith, 1962). The view is of the walk-up, street entrance from when I knew the home and family. The added rear family area was an additional 5,252 square feet of living space with 33 unique indirect, overhead skylights.

 

Rear view of the above scale model. The rear addition (1962); the outside walled family living quarters which made-up the Hiss residence - four bedrooms, four baths and kitchen with it's unique skylights atop.

 

  

(I remember the skylights and was always fascinated by the home's large glass terrarium, but will never forget that first impression as a young teen seeing predominantly displayed, those large B&W Bali prints, that unknowingly later would influence the rest of my life).

 

Footnote; Jeez, now I need to add an additional note. Got a return email from Philip Jr. (Philip Hiss's oldest) and he felt that his dad had recently been "vindicated" by an outpouring of local interest. There were scheduled dinners that were well attended, noted guest speakers and a multitude of guided tours retracing Philip Hiss's influence around about town. And I did not attend or participate in these as they were a little bit beyond my budget. 

Lastly and thankfully so, Philip Jr, also advised me that the exhibit was still up and opened to the public - and is notably free. 

 

slow (fast) train comin'

My friend's new 2022 Tesla 3.  So quiet, no one heard it coming.

 

    

 

Pulled the hood lever, couldn't find an engine. No working parts, just limited storage space upfront.  

MOTOR TYPE: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 221 hp, 302 lb-ft (C/Dest); 80.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack - if that makes any sense?

 

 

Huge fixed information / GPS screen appears as if it would be distracting. Not a review - but running as an electric plug-in with 'Autopilot' features, while offering the latest in "gaming" app capabilities in a computer driven over-ride vehicle, I'd be a little scared to ride in it.

 

 

 

7 habits for a healthy heart

 

 

 

the light is gone

The lighthouse is gone - the light is gone.

A known, McClellan Park property of nearly one acre, once home to the Dickinson family, went up for sale this past year, and within the year, the family homestead was gone, demolished. The original house dated back to 1930, but later a lighthouse was added as a private and quiet bedroom suite back in 1977 for long-time homeowners, Tom & Scarlet Dickinson. 

The design of this unique addition was that of Tim Seibert, the acclaimed local architect, and a close family friend. As an aside, both Tim Seibert, and Tom & Scarlet, had a love for all things nautical.

 

Before the listing and sale, I had photographed the entire property for the remaining family, inside and out.

 

I returned early today, and the light was nearly gone.

 

    

out late last night

Always one of my favorite places during the day - the quirky, historic Sarasota Jungle Gardens.  

Late last night, in the northern end of town, I found myself heading home via Myrtle. Through the headlights, the Gardens appeared dimly lit with a dark Halloween air about it. Would love to do a night time jump-the-fence kinda thing. But not sure I would do it alone.

 

  

Van Horn, TX (and Jeff Bezos)

December 1st, 2015;

What I do remember from back then, was when my pup Knuckles and I were pulled over by the U.S. Border Patrol, their aggressive search through our vehicle using a German Shepard K-9, and from that - that stop not being much fun.

Today, from that same area, just outside of Van Horn, Jeff Bezos's space company, 'Blue Origin' launched three non-professionals (space tourists) into the upper atmosphere. To me, not so much fun either.

 

A barren landscape outside Van Horn, Texas

Found the area not to be the friendliest, so instead of the local offerings, both Knuckles and I moved on.

 

 

got myself a new television set

A 'smart' TV - from cable to streaming.

Years ago, when I worked with John Chamberlain, sculptor, John kept numerous televisions running simultaneously throughout the studio, silent, all on different channels. One day, over lunch, I asked him about it. "Well", he said, 'the mute button, greatest invention of the twentieth century".

 

 

 

an old friend reappears

Some forty years later I'm contacted, and in a way, fondly reunited. Not by Joy herself, but through Washington University's Curatorial Department of Modern Literature and Manuscripts. The department was seeking permission to use early photos of mine for their upcoming lecture and reading series with the acclaimed writer, novelist, Joy Williams.

The photos - the only photo, that I do remember taking was later used for Joy's book-jacket from her then published third novel. What a sweet, charmed remembrance, when the university forwarded their photo archives of five additional 'lost' shots for my review and their request for usage.  Joy, along with husband Rust and I, had spent some time together in the late '70s, early 1980's. 

Joy Williams, author, novelist and short-story writer, after a 20 year hiatus, currently has a new book of fiction out titled, Harrow (Penguin Random House). Her novels and short stories have been nominated and well awarded; Nominated - National Book Award for Fiction, Finalist - Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Finalist - National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism, and Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction.

 

Joy Williams at home on Siesta Key (1981)

 

Joy's personal, obvious choice for her third novel's book jacket.  Loving a good, long barefoot walk.

profile and review; link from the NYT's

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/06/magazine/the-misanthropic-genius-of-joy-williams.html

 

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens; trees dead n' gone?

Nearly, a good quarter of the botanical gardens' property was all but leveled within a few days.  Selby Gardens "Tree Mitigation Plan" called for the removal of 52 existing trees, as well as 46 established palms - and for what?  

Selby's, city approved future 'master plan' is to allow for expansion; by providing a questionable multi-story parking garage, while incorporating a ground level, 110 seat, for-profit restaurant.

In today's edition of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, reporter Anne Snabes wrote; "Selby Gardens did not have to apply for a tree removal permit from the city because institutional botanical gardens are exempt from the policy."

In response, "It's just ironic that a botanical gardens was exempt from a tree ordinance", (Barbara May; president of the inclusive neighboring properties, of the Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association).

 

 

 

Finishing the expansive clean-up. Large, old growth oak limbs, quietly being cut-up and hauled away.

 

 

the day after 'National Dog Day'

August 27th, my birthday - the dog days of summer, the hottest day of the year.  Knuckles and I sharing treats.  Born in 1950, seventy-one years ago tomorrow. Not bad for a couple of old buddies.

 

 

J. J. Heard Opera House - Arcadia, Florida

In 1906, John J. Heard opened his grand Opera House in downtown Arcadia - showcasing live performances of opera, theater productions, plays, musical acts, political rallies and the occasional church function. Years later, when movies became ever popular, a projection booth was built and silent movies and "talkies" were thus added.

But the 'Opera House' apparently has another side to it's long history; 

In 2017, WFTX-TV, Fox 4 News of Ft. Myers reported,

Ghost hunting at the Arcadia Opera House

Morbid history fuels paranormal sightings

The stories may be old, but the chills are new. If you believe.

To reach the second floor of the Arcadia Opera House, you have to climb 27 old, creaky floors. It's an ominous sign of what's to come. Many consider the building to be one of the most haunted in all of Southwest Florida. The buildings owner, James Crosby, isn't sure what to think.

"At some points, I always get the impression there's somebody else here," Crosby says. "Whether that's just the size and scope of the place or the lighting, but I'm always catching something out of the corner of my eye that makes me stop and turn my head." By day, the Opera House is an antique. By night, it's a playground for ghost hunters.

Eric Kincaid is one of several ghost hunters who have recorded electronic voice phenomena, or spirit voices there.

Kincaid and others point to the Opera House's dark history to explain the ghosts. A 1905 fire destroyed an orphanage on the same property. The next year, the Opera House was the first building to go back up in Arcadia. But legend has it, a little girl fell out of a window and died, a few years later. Ghost hunters claim, she still haunts the building.

"There's a good story of a woman who was sitting at the stop light on the corner of Oak and Polk, who looked up and saw a little girl staring at her," Crosby says. And she sat through three red lights until somebody finally honked and when she looked back, the little girl had disappeared from the window."

 

 From the upper balcony, looking down on today's historic stage

 

 

Stage front

 

Backstage, a surviving old RCA film projector

 

 

And being backstage, accidentally finding a young three year-old named Morgan.

 

 

 

Cuba Libre

Protesters chanting "Patria y Vida" - "Homeland and Life"

The Cuban people have suffered enough. Today a new generation, a younger one, have taken to the streets of Havana and across all of the isle of Cuba. The youth are finally demanding a truthful, and long-awaited "Libertad" - a freedom. 

In 1958, a corrupt dictator, Fulgencio Batista was overthrown by a new ideology, and within seven years, a newly established revolutionary government had adopted a Marxist- Leninist approach - the Communist Party of Cuba -  thus beginning 56 years of oppression.

I traveled to Cuba on a journalist's visa and stayed over several times. The Cuban people are a proud, and a good people. And for the most part, like all things American.  Most envy the US.

 

Looking across the street from where I lived during my first short stay, staying with a young family.       

Old Havana, (La Habana Vieja) 1994.

 

 

 

Thankfully, they adopted me.  My Cuban family.  ‘Romilia’ and the girls celebrating a family birthday. And no, the TV didn't work.  We just played Parcheesi most nights on the floor.

 

'Malula' (12) beating me on the board, using buttons for pieces.

  

Romilia's upstairs apartment.

 

 

My sleeping quarter's upstairs from Romilia's. Viewpoint from my apartment's bed on the floor.

 

In 1998, I returned intentionally, to stay longer and to help with Gonzalo, Romilia and the girls - and photographically, to document the neighborhood.  

Below, the corner across the street in old Havana, in the neighborhood of Jesus Maria, where I set-up daily, my large field camera outside for a week, shooting B&W street portraits with interviews.  Corner of Calle Cardenas & Apodaca.

 

 

Elementary students wearing their national 'pioneer' school uniform.

 Upper-school students in uniform.

 

 

 

 

 

 Pride in their heritage, pride in their flag.

 

 

This younger generation above, now some 20 years on, have patiently grown, waited.  They deserve better. They deserve so much more.

Charlottesville, Virginia

 A brief history (of a good town).

 

Monticello, home to Thomas Jefferson

American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, architect, musician, philosopher, slave owner and 'Founding Father' who served as the third president of the United States.  (Virginia, 1743-1826)

 

 

In August of 2017, a modern Charlottesville became the center of a bloody past, by national, well organized far-right groups marching under the name, "Unite the Right".

 

Confederate General, Robert E. Lee.  (Virginia, 1807-1870)

Some say the initial impetus for the Unite the Right march was the threat of removal of a divided people's Confederate Lee's statue (a last stand of sorts) from historic Lee Park, located in downtown Charlottesville. Two days of violent confrontation resulted - from a mob of far-right protesters clashing with mostly peaceful counter-demonstrators. Today, the Robert E. Lee statue remains.

 

 

 

Confederate Lt. General, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.   (Virginia, 1824-1863)

During the two-day August stand-off, both the Lee statue and one of a large, imposing "Stonewall" Jackson were each vandalized by counter-demonstrators. The graffiti left on the carved granite base of "Stonewall" Jackson's monument read, "1619" - a reference to the date the first enslaved Africans were brought to Virginia. This statue, also still stands.

 

 

 

On the rally's second day, on August 12th, with white supremacists loudly protesting under the 'Unite the Right' siege - a Charlottesville local, Heather D. Heyer was group targeted, plowed over by an on-rushing car and killed. A self-admitted "neo-Nazi" named James A. Fields, Jr, of Ohio, was later convicted of multiple federal hate crimes and sentenced to 'life'. That same jury recommended 'life in prison' with an additional 419 years. 

The victim, Heather Heyer was reportedly a well-liked and impassioned 32 year old 'C-ville' resident, who worked as a bartender, waitress, and part-time para-legal. (Virginia, 1985-2017)

In the photo below, a small painted portrait is referenced as Queen Charlotte (wife of King George III). Supposedly the "black Queen" of Great Britain and later Queen of the United Kingdom. (1744 -1818)

 

 

 

Virginia Senator, Tim Kaine - Visiting the memorial site shortly after Heather Heyer's death.  (Photo, public domain).

 

 

Approaching the fourth anniversary, the site today (not forgotten).

 

Update 

Little did I know, that 2 days after my leaving Charlottesville, the statues would come down. Few knew.

NPR link;

https://www.npr.org/2021/07/10/1014926659/charlottesville-removes-robert-e-lee-statue-that-sparked-a-deadly-rally