Pachystachys lutea

Fancy name for a common plant found easily flowering in sub-tropical Florida.  My "shrimp plant" having a good morning.

new life

My grandson Finnegan with his new sister, Cora Maeve.

courtesy Of Kaylah McCourtney

undiscovered artists

Last week there was a fine feature article in our local paper on an upcoming gallery show. So I had to go. The article titled "Undiscovered Artists", unrecognized talent in Sarasota's predominantly black community - was tenderly written by Carrie Seidman.  Her choice feature - a brother and sister who are very close - Pete Simmons (photographer) and Mary Mack (artist).  My particular interest was Pete, who publicly, had never displayed his photos before.


Pete Simmons at the Selby Gallery opening showing me his trusty pocket camera.

Pete's photo of "Construction workers"

"King William"

another review

Could have been worse.  Could have been deadly.

https://sarasotamagazine.com/hot-and-happening/2014/06/18/jb-mccourtney-florida-portraits-opens/

2,180 mile walk from Georgia to Maine

Morning of June 3rd

Waiting by the hour, for my granddaughter's imminent birth - and just anxiously sitting on a park bench in downtown Frederick, MD - I just decided it might be better - just to walk it off. So, I headed out to a nearby Civil War Battlefield in the Shenandoah Valley, some 30 miles away.

I arrived outside Harper's Ferry in West Virginia and found the historic Bolivar Ridge - when, out of the woods suddenly appear, a young German couple - Toby & Miriam.  They had just come off the nearby Appalachian Trail and were heading for that "down-the-road" 7-11, for that needed extra large "Big Gulp" that someone must have mentioned.

Their journey had begun back on March 18th, and now, into their 4th month and more than half way, they were finally taking a break. Toby mentioned that they together, should be able to finish this momentous hike by the first week of September.

So here I am, needlessly worrying about the family birth and walking only a few miles along a well maintained battlefield - and here they are - hiking 2,180 miles, and taking six and a half months to do it.

the glow from the show

courtesy of Jono Miller



In the "center ring" with a few commissioners and preservation board members telling them some "long-winded" stories and a few wacky anecdotes @ the County Administration - Terrace Building. (family and friends off to the sides).

courtesy of Schimmel (Sara. Co. Historical Resources)

Melanie - a fine photographer and surprise visit.

My good friend, photographer and editor Eric Kroll, flew in yesterday from Arizona to review my exhibition for a French 'Web' publication - or so he said.  Joining him, came Melanie King and her young son Charlie.  Little did I know that Melanie is a great photographer in her own right - and also, a known nude model with Model Mayhem. Her photographic interest - portraits of family members. Good stuff.  Her last show titled,  "Jacob's Ladder" previewed in LA in 2008.

Melanie and Charlie love to swim (Eric won't) but all three found a suitable place in Siesta Village to accommodate all their needs - sun and water.

Melanie shoots with an old Rolleiflex film camera. A beautiful camera with a great reputation for great images.