a buddy heads out to sea

Lost my fishing buddy of 30 years. We caught most everything, big, and smalls.

Off of Casey Key, Michael once hooked a large tarpon, and we fought it together for nearly 5 hours. That summer morning became a scorching afternoon as we each took turns on that rod & reel, exhausted and laughing hard. We finally brought it boat-side when a dark shape came up from underneath, from the dark depths, and tore that six foot sport fish all apart.

As a practical joker, a funny man as he was, Michael always had something to bring to the occasion. From fishing Sarasota's back bays, Michael had made up his own fish 'descaler' by implementing an old bottle cap as if living from the past.

 

Michael's homespun 'descaler' shows up at a filleted shore-lunch of Redfish.

 

   

an old portrait, still reminds me

Tired after three days of working the yard & garden (spring planting, fertilizing and watering all in), outside I took off my boots and headed back towards the bedroom. That ever changing indirect light, lit up an old pal's portrait - nicknamed "Carneirnho", whom I'd photographed in the early spring of '89 while living in Rio de Janeiro. (Escola de Samba, 'Tradiçao'). 

Reminding me now of the current spring Lenten season, and what was once Carnival.

 

 

SHOWTIME

The remarkable Circus Sarasota (Tutto Fellini)

Opening Act;  The renowned Sylvia Zerbini with her fine-performing, choreographed Liberty horses. 

Seated front row, ringside.  I always keep an apple in my pocket just in case.

back in the saddle

Been nearly three months since I came off.  Don't be timid, shy.  Full Throttle.  Go for it!

Today my comeback. Gusting, strong, dry, southerly winds while heading out east to Old Miakka. A bunch of sand & grit in my face. Reminding me of that one time, surviving some intense crosswinds, while leaning that bike into the borderlands of west Texas. Riding hard. Good back then, and feeling that today.