wild-life

Today out on the lower Myakka.  Tide was low, then finally the sun came out.

First guy seemed to be hiding.

 

 

Warmed-up. The second guy appeared wide awake.

gifting

Kind of a big surprise, when my daughter (Crete) and son-in-law (Gordie), came down and gifted me this big red box containing a 6-piece Craftsman tool kit. 

A few weeks before I had only mentioned that when they came down, could Gordie help me with a small outdoor project. Meaning could he do it, while I watch, and be a helper of sorts? Little did Gordie know that I have never owned a proper power tool before. Or even by happenstance, come across a helpful do-it-yourself tutorial that would have at once inspired me. While growing up, I never even saw a hammer.

Today, Gordie used most of the new Craftsman pieces while completing a rather straight-forward job. Down the road, the arbor area below could use a sprucing-up, a re-build. And now I'm more than thankful to have been gifted an opportunity to develop a new and long-awaited skill.  I’ve got the tools.

 

Christ!

Our neighbor.

"The Banyan tree represents eternal life, because of it's ever-expanding branches. It is symbolized by the trees huge structure and it's deep roots. It is often referred to as the 'wish fulfilling tree." 

Hindu belief; "A Banyan is celebrated as a sacred tree and is not axed because of the popular belief that it brings prosperity and goodness to the neighborhood. Banyan trees that are many years old are considered as heritage specimens that deserve protection from vandalism and massacre."

 

finally ...

The squirrel's nest is down from atop the tall cedar. A large limb had broken off during our most recent storm - and thankfully, the squirrels have been quieted. A temporary ending from their terrorizing of our yard’s migratory bird feeder. And for now, I can at least lay-down that high-powered squirt gun. The neighborhood appears at peace, finally.

another tidal surge

With their early warning, heavy winds and rain had kept me up for most of the night. 

A unique December 'low pressure' storm had developed rapidly, moving north-easterly across the Gulf, putting our property under another three feet of tidal surge. The darkroom & utility room all flooded. And the landscape was submerged once more by rising Gulf waters.

3:00 am:  Looking out onto Flamingo Ave with an incoming, knee deep high tide. Soon to be, an agonizing week of major clean-up and loss.  Maybe I’m just not listening.

Upper Myakka Preserve

Up along the Upper Myakka River today, volunteering for the Conservation Foundation while planting native Pop Ash just north of Myakka State Park. All in an effort to help buffer the area from a multitude of overgrown and invasive plants. 

A Conservation volunteer with a bag from a removed non-native species, while also lugging a tray of locally native Pop Ash saplings, soon to be planted. 

 

Along the river's bank, grows the thick and matted, non-native Para grass. We as volunteers planted close to 100 young Pop Ash saplings, helping to restore the river's once natural shoreline.

As an aside, a giant Florida Apple Snail's shell found along the Myakka’s river’s edge. This large aquatic snail is a particular fresh-water mollusk preyed upon by the Florida snail kite, and a favorite meal for our native brown limpkins, as witnessed by the holes often found in their outer shell.

Bob's Train

A Sarasota delight.

Bob Horne, is a modern day renaissance man, who quite simply enjoys life. A Navy veteran, a retired salesman, circus performer & former ringmaster, a cooking school instructor and currently at the age of 81, a “restorer” of train cars who in need of funding, can still put together a decent lunch.

Bob's four Pullman rail cars resting on old tracks in a very nondescript area of downtown Sarasota.

 

A bunch of (great) clowns, historically displayed.

 

And Bob Horne himself, in person. One of a few today still putting out food from a railroad’s dining-car kitchen.

 

Bob’s Train;  Monday thru Friday lunch, or Sunday brunch.  (941) 321-5643.   www.BobsTrain.com

 

Portland, Me

A Gramma's wish comes true as Sandy is happily passed-out between her two boys, her grandsons, Santi and Nico. Supposedly all watching "The Christmas Chronicles" on the flat screen (with Kurt Russell).  A fine fall evening caught by our Wilson.

There’s also a three year old 'Rio', a very active character. Particularly, he and I enjoyed playing together many hours of, "It's mine ...".  Wilson & Silvana's youngest, and our youngest grandchild over all, Rio has never-ever had his near-to-the-waist hair trimmed. It's kinda special. With the three boys combined, all became a big boisterous part of our daily Maine landscape.

roadside attractions .....

Cactus Ranch Petting Zoo, Myakka City, Florida

The darnedest thing. When I was searching for any type of information concerning this shuttered petting zoo, their location and history came up blank. There are numerous named 'Cactus Ranch(s)' (with petting zoos) through-out the country, but under this location, TripAdvisor was of little help.

 

Note cactus up on the rooftop. And zoo entrance signage to the right.

The cactus, growing atop a dilapitated old market stand & animal stall, appears to be of a Pilosocereus variety, with it's red-like nut shells raring to bloom. This in itself is a worth-while pull-over, a true roadside attraction.

 

far end of Flamingo Ave

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flamingo Avenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Keep The Country .... Country"

The Old Miakka School House, built in 1914 by J.B. Rogers in what used to be Manatee, later would become part of an early established settlement out-east in Sarasota County. Today the Miakka (Myakka) Valley area remains rural, but surrounding it slowly is the future's ever encroaching urban sprawl.

Today's community fundraiser for the Old Miakka School House.

 

 

The original interior with decorated blackboard and neatly folded desks.

 

A low-key fundraiser set up by it's own local community effort.

 

 

 

Twelve year old, Kayleb Johnston, competing in the 'bubble gum blowing' contest.

 

 

 

Josh Boorum, in the 'hog calling' contest.  Calling out for "Bernard", his own personal hog.

 

 

 The long fight for a rural life.

 

Went recycling

Dropped off some old motorcycle parts and some loose scrap metal. The recycling plant wanted a photo ID, my vehicle tag number and had me line-up for a mug shot. All very serious. 

All I wanted out of it was one photo of their stacked crushed cans sitting outside. Initially they denied permission, but the warehouse manager finally agreed and stood outside just to watch. In the end, with the total weight of my goods, they gave me $5.05 - and a cheap opportunity. 

Idalia, yet another

Hurricane Idalia. Wednesday, August 30th, 1:30 pm

Bay Island’s storm surge begins it's slow retreat from the highest tide of the previous night. Our home is left partially flooded. Now becoming common as an annual event. 

Outside walkway, wearing my "wellies". Not sure where to start. The aftermath is the worst.

 

 

Post Script;  Two weeks later, still cleaning-up debris in our back lagoon. A photo debunking a family rumor that I don't like to swim. I was to born to swim.