the light is gone

The lighthouse is gone - the light is gone.

A known, McClellan Park property of nearly one acre, once home to the Dickinson family, went up for sale this past year, and within the year, the family homestead was gone, demolished. The original house dated back to 1930, but later a lighthouse was added as a private and quiet bedroom suite back in 1977 for long-time homeowners, Tom & Scarlet Dickinson. 

The design of this unique addition was that of Tim Seibert, the acclaimed local architect, and a close family friend. As an aside, both Tim Seibert, and Tom & Scarlet, had a love for all things nautical.

 

Before the listing and sale, I had photographed the entire property for the remaining family, inside and out.

 

I returned early today, and the light was nearly gone.

 

    

out late last night

Always one of my favorite places during the day - the quirky, historic Sarasota Jungle Gardens.  

Late last night, in the northern end of town, I found myself heading home via Myrtle. Through the headlights, the Gardens appeared dimly lit with a dark Halloween air about it. Would love to do a night time jump-the-fence kinda thing. But not sure I would do it alone.

 

  

Van Horn, TX (and Jeff Bezos)

December 1st, 2015;

What I do remember from back then, was when my pup Knuckles and I were pulled over by the U.S. Border Patrol, their aggressive search through our vehicle using a German Shepard K-9, and from that - that stop not being much fun.

Today, from that same area, just outside of Van Horn, Jeff Bezos's space company, 'Blue Origin' launched three non-professionals (space tourists) into the upper atmosphere. To me, not so much fun either.

 

A barren landscape outside Van Horn, Texas

Found the area not to be the friendliest, so instead of the local offerings, both Knuckles and I moved on.

 

 

got myself a new television set

A 'smart' TV - from cable to streaming.

Years ago, when I worked with John Chamberlain, sculptor, John kept numerous televisions running simultaneously throughout the studio, silent, all on different channels. One day, over lunch, I asked him about it. "Well", he said, 'the mute button, greatest invention of the twentieth century".

 

 

 

an old friend reappears

Some forty years later I'm contacted, and in a way, fondly reunited. Not by Joy herself, but through Washington University's Curatorial Department of Modern Literature and Manuscripts. The department was seeking permission to use early photos of mine for their upcoming lecture and reading series with the acclaimed writer, novelist, Joy Williams.

The photos - the only photo, that I do remember taking was later used for Joy's book-jacket from her then published third novel. What a sweet, charmed remembrance, when the university forwarded their photo archives of five additional 'lost' shots for my review and their request for usage.  Joy, along with husband Rust and I, had spent some time together in the late '70s, early 1980's. 

Joy Williams, author, novelist and short-story writer, after a 20 year hiatus, currently has a new book of fiction out titled, Harrow (Penguin Random House). Her novels and short stories have been nominated and well awarded; Nominated - National Book Award for Fiction, Finalist - Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, Finalist - National Book Critics Circle Award for Criticism, and Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction.

 

Joy Williams at home on Siesta Key (1981)

 

Joy's personal, obvious choice for her third novel's book jacket.  Loving a good, long barefoot walk.

profile and review; link from the NYT's

https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/06/magazine/the-misanthropic-genius-of-joy-williams.html

 

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens; trees dead n' gone?

Nearly, a good quarter of the botanical gardens' property was all but leveled within a few days.  Selby Gardens "Tree Mitigation Plan" called for the removal of 52 existing trees, as well as 46 established palms - and for what?  

Selby's, city approved future 'master plan' is to allow for expansion; by providing a questionable multi-story parking garage, while incorporating a ground level, 110 seat, for-profit restaurant.

In today's edition of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, reporter Anne Snabes wrote; "Selby Gardens did not have to apply for a tree removal permit from the city because institutional botanical gardens are exempt from the policy."

In response, "It's just ironic that a botanical gardens was exempt from a tree ordinance", (Barbara May; president of the inclusive neighboring properties, of the Hudson Bayou Neighborhood Association).

 

 

 

Finishing the expansive clean-up. Large, old growth oak limbs, quietly being cut-up and hauled away.

 

 

the day after 'National Dog Day'

August 27th, my birthday - the dog days of summer, the hottest day of the year.  Knuckles and I sharing treats.  Born in 1950, seventy-one years ago tomorrow. Not bad for a couple of old buddies.