a half day (almost full)

Took the motorbike out east, and decided to stop at a friend's studio. I once worked for this young man's father.

A hundred or more mile loop, maybe longer - while stopping for ribs, beans and some fried okra. Surprised later, when I came home to my wife's home-cooked tuna fish casserole, around 4:00, still sitting warm, atop the stove top.

A Chuck Close portrait of Chuck's then artist buddy - my old employer, John Chamberlain - framed, while lounging at Duncan Chamberlain's out-east studio.

sorely needed

"In the past year, the CDC has recorded a 28 percent increase in the use of the Baker Act in Florida - the involuntary admission of patients to psychiatric facilities as a result of being a threat to themselves or others."   Sarasota Magazine, Allison Forsyth, June 22, 2021

Sorely needed;  Sarasota Memorial’s New Behavioral Healthcare Pavilion. A 96,000-square-foot, 82-bed facility to be completed by the fall of 2023.

revisiting old biker joints

"A sunny place for shady people" - over the years the motto for Will's Honky Tonk. Years ago, Will sold the place, name and all, moved his biker bar down the road and aptly renamed it, Stragglers.  I prefer "stranglers".

summer skies

July 5th, rolling storm

8:20 to 8:25 pm 

 

 

Showtime

 

 

 

old Cherokee Park

Cherokee Park.  1950's bungalow, Florida regional style.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sandy's 75th

(At first, didn't have the heart to tell her, but I did the math - she actually just turned 74). 

Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island Sound & Useppa Island 

Arriving by boat.  Across the water, the natural world of Cayo Costa.

 

 

First morning both are sleeping in.

 

 

 

An early lunch at the Collier Inn provided a huge array of photos framed and hanging. I picked a few of the notables, who over the years have also visited and enjoyed themselves.

Erastus Foote (1928)

 

Mary Roberts Rhinehart - Novelist, mystery writer.  Note her large Tarpon caught, larger than her with a few shark bites to it's belly (1950's).  Charlotte Harbor has always been noted as an angler's mecca.

 

4:30 am. The night life down at Useppa's dock.  Myself, always up early.

 

At first light, flowers of the Night-blooming Cereus begin to close.

 

A Banyon tree lights up.

 

Path to a quiet beach.

 

Charlotte Harbor's, Boca Grande Pass.

 

 

Out on the grass flats near the old 'fish houses' of Pine Island Sound.  Sandy there dreaming of a retirement place.

 

Next day, a chance for Knuckle's to swim amongst the dolphin and the sharks. At first he suddenly appeared as would a manatee, but then just bobbed along wearing his new life jacket.

 

On her birthday, having lunch at the Collier, ordering the infamous 'Erastus Foote' sandwich - dreamin' of all things to come, even after breaking it to her sadly that she was only just 74.  A special place, a special time.