Life as a lonely child (and life's thoughtful lessons)

Came upon an interesting article which re-affirmed my early search for companionship as a young boy.   At a young age, I surrounded myself within the animal world, and still find myself wandering there today.

"The greatest comfort is in knowing that their lives are not about us at all".  (Helen MacDonald - NYT's)

NYT's article - What Animals Taught Me About Being Human.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/16/magazine/what-animals-taught-me-about-being-human.html?em_pos=large&emc=edit_ma_20170519&nl=magazine&nlid=49832515&ref=headline&te=1

the musical Yurt

waiting for the bridge today ......

with my windows rolled down, cars waiting and stopped - there came about a symphony of surrounding sounds - of sea birds, a light breeze and a soft played trombone. I pulled over to listen closer, hearing those soothing clear notes.

Sam Chen, is from Knoxville, Tennessee - and arrived in town for an audition with the Sarasota Orchestra. Sam is currently a 'principal' trombonist with the Knoxville Symphony, and now, is considering a change of venue, a new jump-start and considering all life's options. When I found him rehearsing there alongside the bay, he stated, "A calmness near the water helps".  That's all he needed.

We spoke briefly, before he asked if I had ever read the book, "Secrets", and I had not.  He explained, that not more than 5 minutes before my arrival, he expected somehow, someone would arrive - and that someone apparently had been me - me, listening carefully.


Sam Chen and his smooth 'tenor' trombone over Robert's Bay

"old school"

The McClellan Park School, where my young son, Matt, first learned to ‘salute the flag’ and where he recited his first ‘pledge of allegiance’, may soon be gone. The school's landmark building recently celebrated it’s one hundredth birthday.

The McClellan sisters, Katherine (a purported photographer) and her sister “Miss Daisy” built the vernacular-style structure as a community clubhouse in 1916.  By 1932, the so-called “tea house” had been turned into a small, private “primary“ school. 

Today, abandoned and boarded-up, the former school house, on a nearly one acre site, has been sitting on the real estate market for several years now as a prime parcel for future development. Most likely, the neglected building will be sitting awhile longer, with one unforeseeable problem - the craftsman built, wood-framed structure was supposedly constructed atop a historically significant, Native American 'midden' and early area, Pre-Columbian shell mound.

Kindergarten graduation (courtesy of Sarasota County Historical Archives)

My son Matt's, school photo while attending in the 3rd grade (1986)

 

Update - April 2021 (demolition)

one proud Papa

So, my oldest grandchild, Miss Kaya Overholtzer, and her beau Tim, both High School Juniors in York, Pennsylvania, were recently inducted together into the nation's, National Honor society. So proud that it hurts. I never even came close.

 (photo courtesy of my daughter, Crete)

an exceptional anniversary gift

Our good friend, Jack Smith, has been working with me on the repairs of our home. Clearing out old pieces from around the house, I had offered Jack, my old Fenwick fly rod - he loves to fish.

Well, being such a sweetheart, and knowing that it was our 39 anniversary - when Sandy and I had eloped down to the Glades - Jack had kindly listened to my quirky story on how I caught a large Snook on a fly while canoeing through the mangroves, on that special day of our long ago, "Swamp Marriage" at Monroe Station.

So yesterday, Jack showed up with a 5ft long wooden sign which he had crafted while using my old fly rod, and presented this gift.  A nearly forgotten time and place.

a family visit, turned into a house project

The Balaban's annual visit sadly coincided with our major exterior house renovation. Too bad, cause I had hoped to have all the work completed before their arrival. And, disappointed that it took away from my time with the grand kids - with that funny Dustin & sweet Neve.

Balaban's shoes left at the doorway

After clearing out the darkroom, utility room and the work shed - a week into painting the entire exterior

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Though, on their last Sunday in town, the Balaban's invited us to join them for an epic day trip up to the Crystal River area, to "swim with the manatees".  And there, in the Three Sisters Springs, the Balaban family got that once-in-a-life-time chance, to swim among so many.