dog days of summer

With the mid-day temperatures now reaching into the mid-90's, a week ago, there appeared in the morning light - a special birth in our back, saltwater lagoon.  A birthing mother had found her quiet place, a refuge and a needed sanctuary.

The Florida native, the West Indian Manatee, breeds only once every two years - and then, producing only a single calf.  The large breeding females will range up to 13 feet in length and weigh-in at around 1,300 lbs.  A new born calf can typically weigh-in around 65 lbs and average from 3 to 4 foot long.

Last week, I noticed a large female floating in an unusual, unexpected birthing position. Within hours, a new pair was quietly joined.  Shortly after, both calmly headed back out of our lagoon, out into the cool, open waters of the nearby bay.  With each following early morning, the pair would reappear, but I suspect this to slowly diminish, when they both adjust to their outside adopted grazing grounds.

The mother playfully rolling over on her back with her front flippers exposed, and her new nursing calf hidden under her large 'fluke' tail.

The shy calf only appears ever so briefly

(A week later) - by 10:00 am, when the shallow waters of the lagoon begin to heat up rapidly, uncomfortably so - it's time for mother and 'pup' to head back-out for her preferred feeding grounds, to the sea grass beds of nearby Roberts Bay.

quirky Southern

Drove out to Arcadia this morning to meet up with an old friend, breakfast and to exchange pleasantries.  Got a little buzzed - and just rode around.


Mary Margaret's Tea & Biscuit Shop
Polk Street

"John Lee & Mourning Jones House"
W. Oak Street

W. Oak Street

W. Oak Street

S. Alabama Street

the Hot Spot - "Lounge & Hook-Up"
S. Alabama Street

retired general store
S. Alabama Street

W. Hickory Street

W. Hickory Street

St. John Missionary Baptist Church
S. Watson Avenue

Hickson Funeral Home
N. Orange Avenue

new vision

Got that damn "astigmatism" thing going on - a deviation from the normal spherical curvature of the retina. After 4 years, today I finally got re-examined for an annoying, on-going "ghosting" and progressive blurriness.  I'll soon be off to get a stronger script and matching frames.

The wall eye chart as it best appeared in the darkened room.

But thankfully, my color perception is near perfect.

bar dogs

Regan, a 6 year old Wire Fox Terrier, from a Canadian CKC championship line, is a daytime regular at one of our local dive bars. The Red Barn has quite a few of these type of 'regulars', and I must admit, I take my own pup there on the occasion.  (true story - It's been many years since I first started wearing my boots daily, long ago, when I was bitten on the ankle by a 'service' dog at a local bar).

Regan's owner Don, recently told me, "I used to hit the bars often, but when I lost my wife, she (Regan) now keeps me home at night.  She's a very determined dog - and will play hard with the big guys. 'She loves to kill fruit rats. Female terriers are the hunters - and I've never seen another rat since the time, I first brought her home.'"

"Now being alone, I pick my car rides and typically she's always very 'determined' - always raring to go".

birthdays come, birthdays go .....

You get to a certain age and party's are just not the same as when we were all so young.  Seems, I'm always the first to arrive - and the first to leave.

I've known Phil close to 50 years.  Big, Happy birthday, Phil.

annual physical

All lookin' pretty good and hard to believe, considering ....  And, as most doctors hopefully will say, "unremarkable".

Always love the visits and those glass medical jars.

A reunion - my "east coast" family

Sandy and I went north to visit three of my children, and their children - my grandchildren, who all live within close proximity to each other - in rural Pennsylvania and Maryland.


Abbottstown, PA

We first stayed at the Altland House, in their top floor suite, the “widow’s peak”.  Sandy and I were two out of the three overnight guests. Arriving late the first night, around 11:00 pm, there was a note for us taped onto a dimly lit interior stairway.  Tired, I dragged our suitcases up three dark and winding flights of stairs, using only my ‘Bic’ cigarette lighter to guide our way.

From the parking lot behind the Altland House - the still active Hoke Mill, an animal feed granary.

The 4th of July gathering at my oldest daughter, Crete’s home.  A family reunion from afar, consisting of three of my children, their spouses with their children, and one lone, sweet niece and sister-in-law.

with six of my grand children - Finn, Dustin, Neve, Cali, Cora and Kaya.

and of course, all greeted in the backyard by the neighbor’s donkeys.

Cali in her bedroom. An upcoming freshman in high school who has an interest in cosmetology.

Kaya - a high school senior, who upon graduation will be attending college in her chosen area of discipline - IT and “cyber-security”.

Port Deposit, MD

Staying at the Rolling Hills Ranch near my other daughter, Rebecca’s home. The original ranch and equestrian facility was selected on a national level, to partake in ABC’s HGTV show - Extreme Makeover. Ranch owner, Renee "Luther" Dixon was our host.  With Rene's life-long work, working passionately with the disadvantaged through her 'Freedom Hills' Therapeutic Riding Program, more than surprised me with her multi talents.

A rendering of the ranch from the “show’s” finished “extreme makeover”.

The new “English Manor” home - built in only five days for the show's - Extreme Makeover, Home Edition.  Episode 105, "The Luther Family".  Aired in January 2008.  The show's premise; "truly deserving, families in need".

The original family home where Renee "Luther" Dixon was raised by her parents on the ranch property.

a panoramic view of the riding facilities - pastures, outdoor rink, indoor arena and barns - all built by the crew and volunteer contractors from the television show.

My daughter, Rebecca with Dustin & Neve in the barn

Renee Dixon is a renowned “Event” horseback rider and instructor in her own right - Dressage, Jumping and Show.  One of many display cases of ribbons in their new "makeover" home.

A photo of Renee’s champion horse “Giver” shot by Ty Pennington, the host for HGTV’s, Extreme Makeover.

And, upon our return home, our away "dog walker" and Knuckles' newest friend - Miss Sarah.