Idalia, yet another

Hurricane Idalia. Wednesday, August 30th, 1:30 pm

Bay Island’s storm surge begins it's slow retreat from the highest tide of the previous night. Our home is left partially flooded. Now becoming common as an annual event. 

Outside walkway, wearing my "wellies". Not sure where to start. The aftermath is the worst.

 

 

Post Script;  Two weeks later, still cleaning-up debris in our back lagoon. A photo debunking a family rumor that I don't like to swim. I was to born to swim.

 

 

It's your Birthday ......

My old pal, Paul Reubens, sent me this clip last year on our birthday. We share the same day; August 27th. Paul would call in the morning and throughout the day would share from his collection of numerous clips and photos. And I would share from my early childhood something that I knew that would make him smile.

A big Happy Birthday Paul.  We'll miss you.

 

In 1955, me out on the Key, celebrating my fifth birthday. Always loved costumed characters.

back out there

Every now and then with my motor-bike, like me, she needs fixing up. Kenny Clark, with Hap's Cycle, has worked on my bike from the day that I bought it new, twenty some years ago. 

 

non-fiction

Hospital's post-procedure recovery room.

Coming out of the anesthesia, I found this internal, unpublished book at my bedside. My life's new story.

two birthdays in one

Today is my sister Caren's birthday. She would have been 76 years old - and now, a little over ten years since her passing (1947-2012). 

We grew up separately. Caren was sent away at an early age, sent off to boarding school. She was my elder, and in those early years, one that I barely knew. Still missing her, loving her even more so today.

Caren's high school graduation (1964) at Villa Duchesne, an all-girls Catholic school in St. Louis, Missouri. (photo; a little curious and somewhat scary in their formal white dresses, holding flower bouquets).

 

 

 Caren and I (self-portrait) in Sarasota, 2007.

 

Celebrating another birthday in a happily circuitous way. Today is for 'Rio' who has now turned three. A very special, and actively curious grandson. Below, at our home last year in Sarasota. Happy Birthday, Budster!

 The youngest and the oldest within the family, with birthdays each, celebrated on the same day.

 

 

Abdominal Ultrasound

First they offered me a warm blanket, then asked me to relax, take a deep breath ……. The ultrasound of the liver and surrounding areas was requested by my Hepatologist. Today at the hospital, I wore my best pair of boots.

 

Egmont Key

 Mouth of Tampa Bay

 

 

In 1848, the US Congress authorized funds to construct a lighthouse on Egmont Key to safeguard the shipping entrance leading into Tampa Bay. Completed in that same year, a September hurricane, with 15 foot tides washed over the island and in 1858, the current lighthouse was reconstructed to "withstand any storm". 

By the late 1850's, at the end of the Third Seminole War, the island served as a camp for the captured Seminoles along with the Seminole chief, Billy Bowlegs. Nearly 10 years later, Egmont Key was again occupied by the Union Navy during the American Civil War as a blockade for Confederate shipping. (Source; Florida Department of Environmental Protection)

In 1898, Fort Dade was established on the island as a means to safeguard the Tampa Bay area form the imminent Spanish-American War. Construction on the fort was completed in 1906. The "city" had more than 300 residents and featured roads, electricity, telephones, a hospital, jail, movie theater, bowling alley and tennis courts.  (Source; Florida Department of Environmental Protection)

 

Today, the island of Egmont Key is designated as a National Wildlife Refuge and rests with the State Parks system as a significant Florida historical site.

 

Myself being dropped off onto the island by the Balaban's (Neve).