PinnedMember-onlyWhere I’m from, a sandbox defined your economic status.And non of the children cared. — A tractor tire laying flat on leveled turf under a young maple tree. The tree is older than me, so it’s enormous. Being seven most everything is enormous. My sisters are younger and smaller. Kimmy the littlest, stands next to Cindy the middlest, watching dad fill the tractor tire with…Memories3 min readMemories3 min read
Sep 18Member-onlyA centrifugal force of gratitude builds a gracious planet.“Would you like me to take your picture together?” A voice from behind as I square up to take Cali’s photo with our bikes. A Sunday ride around Wheedon Island. The humidity is Floridian thick. The water warmer than normal, but clear, tinted greens with sandy browns. Calm. People fishing…Florida3 min readFlorida3 min read
Sep 7Member-onlySure. You thought of that idea your dog suggested subliminally.Chihuahua, Yorkie, golden retriever, black lab, chocolate lab, bichon frise, standard poodle, great schnauzer, min pin, doberman, rottie, pittie, English bulldog, American bulldog, Australian and German Shepherds, mutts, mixes, coonhound, bluetick, treeing, and plott hounds. …Dogs2 min readDogs2 min read
Sep 6Member-onlyJury Duty. My search for justice and other things.“I suppose we should vote on who’s in charge.” “Yeah. Not me, I’m not campaigning for that.” “Me either.” “Nope.” Somehow six people, five not counting me, knew organically to speak clockwise around a rectangular table. A table manufactured to look like oak. Oak is the wood of choice in…Life5 min readLife5 min read
Sep 1Member-onlyMatching the local wildlife with your house.And other reno non-HOA tips. — “How do you attract all those birds to your property?”Home Improvement4 min readHome Improvement4 min read
Aug 23Member-onlyDog baths and ShamWows.So, how much water does your dog hold? — My dog is a bulldog mix out of Taylor County, Florida. He and his sister, who is fawn while Dante is blue, made their way into Pinellas County by way of downstream relinquishment agreements with a backyard breeder. Dante DuBois is a brilliant boy and holds 20.72 liters of water…Pets3 min readPets3 min read
Aug 22Member-onlyRecognizing a great mentor.If you’re not where you should be, neither is the mentor. — “Do you know the toothpaste trick?” Her car’s engine purred. I heard the question. But my brain was too busy taking in new car smell doing battle with floral body spray and the lemon scented cardboard sunflower hanging from the radio dial. God. Even the seatbelt was perfect. Like her…Mentorship3 min readMentorship3 min read
Aug 9Member-onlyCircumnavigating IntentionA duck can stop you right in your tracks. If you let him. — “Are you okay?” A voice behind me to my left. I’m lost in catching my breath. Straddling my bicycle sweating and breathing hard in the sauna bath that is outside Florida this morning. I’m sucking down a gel pack. Which is amino acids, sugars, and a slight taste of kiwi…Short Story3 min readShort Story3 min read
Aug 8Member-onlyGraceful Failures and Burning BridgesI should have done this years ago. Damn it. I should have just gone ahead and done it then and back there. …Self Improvement3 min readSelf Improvement3 min read
Aug 7Member-onlySmell the roses, hear the birds, see the life, and revel in the beauty of nature.And try to remember what we’re loosing. — Gullfather made his presence clear a few years back by bringing a hundred of his crew to our backyard. I’d been feeding Muscovy ducks. Florida speckled and mallards. Boat-tailed blackbirds, crow, blue jay, scrub jay, raven, cardinal, finch, and grackle. Gullfather decided enough was enough. For them. …Nature5 min readNature5 min read
