mysterious finds

My wife, a devout Catholic Eucharistic minister, recently found these two side-by-side in the church’s sacristy, in the vestry's back bathroom. Both standing, facing a tiled shower wall - a modern Joseph and a much taller, blessed virgin Mary.

my buddy, Rebecca Wild Baxter

A dear, close friendship of nearly 50 years passes on. A woman of great spirit, a photographer and companion - and always, an advocate for that underdog.

Becky waiting at her door, picking her up from one of our more recent lunch outings.  I'll miss you.

 

(sharing back in 2017 at her 70th)

 

 

fun outings

Had to take old 301 north, up to Whitfield Avenue to look for a lumber/decking supply company, and found instead ....

 the Royal Relaxation (massage parlor)

 

next door to the right, the Gold Star Donut Shop,

 

and from across the parking lot, the broken-ears "Bunny" homeless site and shrine.

 

and there, just down around the corner, Sarasota’s Pet Crematory.

a final resolution; giving it up, saying goodbye

For over eighteen years, my wife's older 2000 Vanden Plas Jaguar, sat in our driveway, with six of the last years left un-driven. I finally convinced her to donate the old gold Jag to our local community radio, WSLR, as she was already driving a newer version - a 2011 Black XJL. 

For Sandy, giving it up was hard, harder than I thought. She kissed it goodbye, and cried. Though, I was far more than relieved. That poor old girl had been covered, sat there idle for years, and now leaving, she was barely running.

Saying their goodbyes

 

The car looks good, right?  But you had to get in closer, those repair options weren't affordable. Now, watching her leave for an east coast auto auction. The last of an era for this big, old, grand sedan.

Festa de Iemanjá

My offerings and appreciation for the diety, Iemanjá, is practiced year round near our waters edge. My shrine is lit each New Years Eve in celebration.

Iemanjá, goddess (or orixá) of the sea, is a central deity in the Candomblé, afro-religion of Brazil. She watches over sailors, fishermen and women, and controls their catches. She is very powerful, and is concerned with every aspect of fertility and family; she is also the protector of children - and always draped in either blue or white. 

On each New Years Eve, small, personally related gifts are gathered. These are then released out on the water as an offering, and by acceptance, float out to the sea.

For 25 cents .....

Today in Arcadia, I took her photo - and The Great Madam Zoltar tells of an upcoming fortune, predicting my future year. Both of us possibly traveling on the same train.

day after