one hundrieth year

Dr. Joel Elkes - retired Professor Emeritus, current painter, water-colorist and friend.  Past director of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at John Hopkins University.  Psychiatrist-in-Chief (retired) John Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.

We've been hanging out of late - Joel giving me plenty of advice and smiles - and me, just spending time photographing him.  Another sweetheart.

the smoke-off ..... & toss-off

The 12th annual Terra Ceia Mullet Festival.  Florida's native fish.

 Terra Ceia Island

The "smoke-off" trophy

Ricky Gullet - this years 2013 "smoke-off" winner.  His secret recipe - smoked 'juveniles', buttered with fresh squeezed lime.

Eight year old, Reece Lane - the "volunteer rounder" - roundin' up the competitive 'tossed' mullet.

The 'Toss Off' - 57 competitors with only 9 mullet.

working at Denny's

I started working at Denny's.  To much distraction at home.  So, for the past month or so, I've been taking my legal pad, my notes, my pencils and pens, and started spreading them out across the counter at Denny's.  At the 'check-out' one late-night, I noticed a small posted comment on the wall behind the register, "Who needs a corner office when you've got the corner booth" - finally realizing, now I could just take over that back booth - that perfect fit, to finally finish writing those difficult lengthy captions for an upcoming photography exhibit.

About 11:00 pm Thursday night, when I typically arrive, I was ready to set up - not realizing it was Halloween. I noticed my server friend (I call her "sweetie"), Kimberly all dressed up. And, as always, she had that special twinkle in her eye. A real sweetheart, even though I rarely order bacon.

Today / tonight, I'm working on that final caption, and after completion, I will certainly miss my new late-night friends - and surely, that new found office space.

a cheering crowd

My son Matt had just flown in from California to do some photo shoots for a local client.  Always busy, I was hoping on his last day, to at least get my son back out on the water.  Been years - I raised that boy fishing - and being on the water, those were the best of times with the kids.

Well, Matt and I went out this afternoon and we were doin' well - catching fish. The wind was fresh from the north, so we drifted downwind on different spots.  One large Snook had already broken a line, so Matt was taking it serious. And, was doing his best to help me get this one in, so we could finally release it.

As we drifted up close to a 'sea-walled' property, with neither one of us paying attention, suddenly a loud cheer went up. And, with some hand clapping coming from an ongoing, outside house party (twenty or more folks), I believe that Snook got more pleasure - and was more stunned, than we were.
 

 

humanity or ad agency?

the scenic route

My buddies, Pete & Jim, were off to the races - the vintage motorcycle races outside Birmingham, Alabama.  I decided to go along for the ride.  At least the part through the rolling hills of western Georgia - that cherished rural ride from so many past trips.

Pete had mapped his route out on his GPS.  Mine was strickly routed from long-term memory.  After nearly seven hours of riding (Florida to Georgia), we came upon a stop sign. Pete comes up along side of me and signals left - and I want to go right. We pull over to discuss the different benefits.

Shortly, the local Sheriff Deputy shows up to give us a hand. Now our new friend, Deputy S.A. Ogle provides some assistance, "to the left is your shortcut, if that's what your wanting."  I personally know most of these backroads, but Pete & Jim take his advice, take the left - the truck route.  I turn right - the scenic rural route.  Being a local, our good natured Deputy Ogle never could figure out my use of the term "scenic".

By nightfall, that right turn had put me on that road for another 5 hours, but finally I stopped. Dinner - Fresh Perch with fried Okra and some of those seasonal deep-fried corn nuggets at Oscar's Soul Food, in Morgan, Georgia.


At the crossroads - Pete, Jim and Sheriff Deputy, S.A. Ogle.

Ebenezer Baptist Church

Cotton fields

Alfalfa harvest

Mom's 'home cookin' and Last Supper

On the road to Plains, Georgia - to say "Hi" to Jimmy Carter

Drugstore and Soda Fountain - bought a handful of "Squirrel Nut Zippers"

7:30 pm - still a little to early for dinner - just me an Oscar.  He's in the kitchen cookin' up the Perch  

Oscar's Soul Food - Morgan, GA

visiting with my friend Heidi

We're old friends.  Known each other since High School.

This morning I stopped by, while she poured up some coffee, fed her 5 Chihuahuas and cooked breakfast for her Great Dane - Tucker.  Heidi's family were restaurateurs, so cooking for her is second-nature and a much loved, part of her life.

Over the years, Heidi and I have worked side-by-side on many projects together and currently she is my needed direction and the impetus for an upcoming exhibition for Sarasota County.  And, besides all that, she's a great gal.