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.