Category: Uncategorized

When Dave brought me a plate of eggs just now I looked up, batted my eyelids and said, “ awe thanks Mom.” For many kids on Friday evenings in the 50’s, being glued to “Lassie” with tipsy adults quarreling in the background was not unusual. Unlike my smart, attractive parents or simpering Timmy, Lassie was…

Among the myriad of lessons from Covid, Boredom in 20/20 has presented unique challenges with attendant revelations. Its direct link to childhood depression, addiction and creativity is as stark as these last few frigid Christmas days here in sunny Florida.I can’t endure any more television yet can no longer sit outside watching wildlife without freezing…

He was an architect who designed the first outlet mall near I95 in St. Augustine. I regularly pass it on my way to sell pools out in the county. Unlike my Dad, who often complained of the restrictive influence and poor taste of shopping center developers, most of my clients are great. When I traded…

Over the weekend there were QAnon demonstrators at the foot of St. Augustine’s beloved Bridge of Lions waving “Pizza gate was real!” signs at tourists. Overwhelmed by vicious politics and counterpart kittens on social media, my need to remain informed is rotten and ready to be tossed. I will no longer allow the devil’s den…

I live in a charming neighborhood among million dollar waterfront properties and more modest homes on the tip of an elegant island that oozes with Florida history. Formerly a salt marsh, our yard was dredged from the Matansas river in the 30’s. The Matansas, which means “slaughter” in Spanish, ran red in 1565 with the…

A long time ago I decided there are only four fundamental colors in landscapes – green, blue, chartreuse and maroon. Green is all shades of green, blue includes silvers, chartreuse is chartreuse and maroon comprises coppers and purples. Without all four artfully placed, something’s missing. Fickle flower colors don’t count. I similarly categorize contrasting textures…

It began in a huge thunderstorm at a WaWa convenience store in 1998. I’d been considering a way out of an abusive relationship, when across the checkout counter I saw the most beautiful man in the world. At the moment we locked eyes, a flash of light shot from a lingering raindrop on his eyelash.…

I woke up this morning late for work wishing I was as dependable as my sprinklers. The well pump wakes me every morning at 7:10, barely enough time to let out my whiney cats, hit the coffee button, check my appointments, pet their butts, give them their fucking fresh water and hit the shower. Wincey…

It’s 4:00 AM and I can’t sleep. Ever since my recent, long overdue physical where I was prescribed Cipro and some other strong antibiotic horse pill, twice daily to address a high PSA and a UTI, my gut growls non stop. At least after six weeks selling swimming pools, I’m no longer stressed about it,…

Bermuda Shoals Way, Heron Hyde and Tarpon Trace along with thousands of other soon-to-be streets in St. John’s County don’t show up on GPS yet, so some new homeowners who want fiberglass pools in brand new developments give me coordinates. Today 30.0847° N, 81.4820° W and “beige with white trim” got me to “Beachwalk.” Twenty…