60th bithday party for my first ever girlfriend

"Nise" and her husband live on a little more than five acres out east of town. They keep up certain trails throughout the property and boy did I get excited. With a drink in my hand and good long smoke, I walked the trails, and through the underbrush, and forgot how beautiful a 'natural' Florida once was or is.

The Live Oaks, the Longleaf Pines, the palmettos and the common Cabbage Palm. The Red Cedars, the Red Maple and the Loblolly Bays - all existing so naturally - and all unlike my overly manicured and maintained garden. It was the best part of the party.

  

Brugmansia

Garden is coming along just fine this time of year.

Cuban Laurels

My twenty foot cuban laurels that I shape bi-annually.  Knuckles is my only support - a little moaning - a little barking, but not much real help.

Miami per diem

So my good friend, Mr. Eric, calls me awhile ago and says he's flying into Miami for his photo show, wants me to attend. I hummed and hawed for a couple of weeks - then spur of the moment, I just went - even though I'm not big on big towns.  And South Beach can be South Beach.

So, in my 24 hour turn around time, Eric on my arrival, tells me we're good - it's a 'per diem'.  And, never one to complain, it's always good to get out and about, at any cost.  But like most other towns -  still hard to find a true breakfast at 5:00am.

The Carlton Ranch

In 1989, after the tragic death of her husband Mabry, Barbara Carlton and her young daughters, Lisa and Kim, took over all operations of this large cattle ranch out east of town. Now, it's been over a year since I was out there - doing a photo story for a magazine.  And at the time, and for some damn reason, the assigned writer never followed through, and foolishly, once made an appearance sporting her 'new-bought' trendy boots - but, the time spent with this close matriarchal family was special.

So much so, that on my last day there and feeling brave - I approached a large Brahman bull in the field who took offense to me and my camera.  And, after that aggravated bull's tail snapped out loud, I ran for my life - and those wizened 'cow-punchers' sittin' in their pick-up, certainly got a good laugh at my expense.

Today, I only wish I was back out there - all tired and dirty - at that hard working Carlton cattle ranch - and confronting that large bull, just one more time.

(click on image to enlarge).

A short slide show with song. (but can't figure out You Tube, so the quality is only decent with small images).

http://youtu.be/1kdhw_zMNw0 

the men's room

Ed Smith Stadium.  Orioles vs the Yankees in the spring training season closer.

My brother-in-law Jim, got comp tickets behind home plate from an old high school friend of his who is now a pitching 'trainer' for the Baltimore Orioles.  A sold out game which brought the be-loved Baltimore fans all the way from Maryland.  Their rivalry and love for all that is New York was very apparent. One young Maryland man (washing up in the men's room) showed his particular admiration for a popular Yankees star by wearing his uniform - #13 Alex Rodriguez.

"Tin Can" Alley

The cities of Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice, as a group, have always been noted nationwide as "Tin Can" Alley.  And, while Sarasota still hosts their annual Airstream "round-up" at the fairgrounds, when we were young, my sister and I would often visit the 'round-up' as a cultural / lifestyle event. Thankfully, it's still going on - and been goin' on since way before I was born.

Well, I was out and about yesterday with a magazine writer on a story up in Bradenton, and upon seeing this classic trailer, and in such immaculate condition, he insisted that we pull over for a closer look.  I never knew people had such an extensive knowledge - and, such an obsessed fascination with trailers. Apparently he did, and this one was special.

Spartan Trailers started out as an airplane manufacturer, and it's owner J. Paul Getty, turned the company into a luxury trailer manufacturing enterprise - where-in Spartan would become the so-called "Cadillac" of all trailers.

The rear view of this 1946 Spartan "Manor".