For Sale; 250 + acres of agricultural land

Joshua Creek, Highway 31, Desoto County

"TONS OF POTENTIAL"  (listing agent's description in caps)

250 plus acres of prime citrus and pasture land, with an existing half-hidden partial homestead, sitting on 3000 feet of high potential, highway frontage. 

On it's northern edge, this property now listed, once bordered the infamous and sprawling G. Pierce Wood psychiatric hospital (1947-2002). With on-going claims of mistreatment and patient neglect, the State of Florida found it necessary to close G. Pierce Wood in 2002.  Not long after, the large barracks styled property was then converted to, the Desoto County Juvenile Correctional Facility (with it's own whispered past) before it was finally shuttered in 2011. 

Today, riding along on my motorbike, just south of Arcadia, this once thriving rural stretch along Hwy 31, appeared eerily abandoned and overgrown - with it's long history, soon-to-be rewritten.

 

Part of the original homestead now listed on the market. The listed property was recently cut-back from years of overgrowth.

 

 

 

Along Hwy 31 - Part store, gas station and grocery in the Joshua Creek area.  The area's one-and-only, 'Stop N Go'.

 

 

Forty days and Forty nights

Well, maybe not.  But it did rain for at least 4 days straight, probably 12 inches worth, as tropical storm Sally, soon to be a hurricane, lingered and sat heavy along our Gulf Coast. By the second night, I heard the outside croaking of large frogs - then by day, watched as a multitude of hibernating mushrooms quickly sprouted.

Japanese Parasol mushrooms (Parasola plicatillis)

 

   

 

And, what appears to be a type of Lepiota mushroom that's fond of sprouting-up amongst root systems.

 

 

 

Cafe in the Park

Good food, friends.

Father Brandon, with his little 5 year old Brandon 'Jr.' giving me the "click", sporting his new set of 'corn-rows'.  Brandon Sr's 'dreads' (dreadlocks), when let down are hanging now, close to his knees, "'bout 20 years worth".

Mid-Century Modern

Siesta Key, Florida

Paradiso?

Translation from Italian to English; 'Paradiso', (Paradise) "Where the Gods live."
Latest motto for Sarasota's Chamber of Commerce; "Sarasota, Living in Paradise."



Gateway view to paradise along Sarasota's little remaining Bayfront (new-construction entrance).

Construction worker's dress code, while working, building the latest version of Sarasota's 'paradiso'.

new special friend

At first I admired the outfit, then the jewelry - then Annie - sitting, while we all sat waiting at Denny's.

Her jewelry - around her neck, wrist and around her waist. Some seemed to be in the form of obscure personal identification, some religious, and then there were the "jingle bells" hanging, attached all about her. Annie's face, her hat and her exposed baldness, her mouth, her smile covered by a face mask made from duct tape.  And a unique folding walking-stick, held out by one arm.

Annie loved all the compliments that I could give her. Then it switched - she had more questions for me then I had of her. Annie stared off during most of our conversation, then me, finally realizing - that Annie was without sight, blind.  New friends.

   

hate IV's (don't like needles)

My 2nd infusion today at the Infusion Center. A little anxious once again, so this time I brought a larger book - one with accompanying photographs. Turned out to be the right choice. A personalized signed copy, and a gift from the Hiss family. This particular work, Bali, inspired me as a young teen, to a life as a life-long photographer.

Bali, Philip Hanson Hiss (published 1941). A year spent of island living and field study of Balinese culture. Eighty black & white photo illustrations with numerous tribal, 'ethnographic' notes. 

"The degree to which a people are adjusted to their environment is the true measure of their happiness." Philip Hiss, Bali. 1941

A mountaineer, Bali

"A complete record of life on the island ... all the more valuable in view of the encroachment of European civilization ... a freshness and a convincing quality rare in the photographic art".  Everett V. Meeks, Dean of the Yale School of Fine Arts.

High Priest, Bali