Linear view vs. Masonry View

Archive for ‘Observations’

Gruntin Good Time

As I mentioned previously, I was enticed up to the Panhandle this weekend by an intriguing event. The Sopchoppy Worm Gruntin Festival is so unusual, I’m pretty certain it’s the only one in the world.

What exactly is worm gruntin? Well, it’s a technique used to harvest worms. Grunters pound a wooden stake “stob” into the ground, then rub a metal bar “iron” across the top. This motion produces a vibration that worms mistake for the tunneling action of moles. In order to escape these voracious predators, the worms head for the surface where they are gathered by the grunters to be sold as bait. So, sadly for the worms, they end up getting eaten anyway.

I’ve heard they grunt for worms in other nearby states but the little town of Sopchoppy has elevated it into an annual extravaganza. The morning starts with a worm wriggle fun run, followed by a gruntin demo by local grunt masters, a kids’ gruntin contest, and even a worm eating contest (gummy ones, thankfully). There’s live music all day with arts and crafts vendors scattered up and down the streets. The night ends with a Worm Ball (sadly, I missed that part).

Gruntin Masters
Young Grunter

I captured a few gruntin snippets for your viewing pleasure. If you’d like more information I found this news story that is worth a watch. If you’re ever in the Panhandle during the second weekend of April, swing by Sopchoppy for an unforgettable small town experience.

Worm Art (not to scale)
Stobs and Irons
Stobs
Irons
Youth Worm Grunting Contest
So Many Worms
Worn Out Worm Grunter
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North is South

Suwannee River
Original Suwannee Bridge
Orman House
Scipio Creek
Carrabelle Beach
Carrabelle River Sunset

People say, that in Florida, the further north you go, the more Southern it is. Based on today, I concur with that sentiment.

I was enticed up to Florida’s Forgotten Coast by a unique event (more about that soon) but decided to come a day early so I could explore this section of the Panhandle.

I broke up my 5 hour drive this morning, by stretching my legs alongside the Suwannee River. Did you know Stephen Foster’s “Old Folks at Home” (aka Swannee River) is Florida’s state song?

During the next two hours I passed boiled peanut and Tupelo Honey stands before being greeted by a Piggly Wiggly market. Definitely signs of Southern culture.

After spending a warm but breezy afternoon wandering the beach on St. George Island I headed over to Apalachicola. The town was once famous for its oysters, though the harvest has been closed for the past five years.

According to locals they have survived mainly by shrimping, fishing, and farm raising oysters (a labor intensive process). It will be interesting to see how the town rebounds after the oyster harvest reopens next year.

I backtracked to Carrabelle to end my day. Snapped a quick photo of the World’s Smallest Police Station before catching sunset on the Carrabelle River. Not a bad way to end a day of exploring!

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New Visitor

Sunday evening I finally reinstalled the motion-activated camera that I had taken down last September because of hurricane damage.

I wasn’t sure it would still work but thankfully, it powered right back up. I had purchased it primarily so I could watch wildlife activity in my yard and I have not been disappointed.

On early Tuesday morning it recorded a new visitor to my yard, an opossum (Didelphis virginiana).

I know they live in the neighborhood but this is my first yard sighting. Based on the way it moved through the terrain, the opossum is pretty familiar with my yard. Welcome, my marsupial friend!

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Floral Festivity

Hibiscus
Yellow Lantana
Mealy Blue Sage
Lantana
Plumbago
Zinnia
Queen’s Wreath
Cutleaf Evening-primrose
Sea Grape
Elderberry
Strawberry Guava
Pineapple

Decided to showcase the botanical bash occurring in my yard right now. There are a few other species participating but they are camera shy (looking at you red and white salvias). I’m impressed by how many of these survived the saltwater inundation by Hurricane Helene last September.

As for the ones that didn’t, I’ve slowly been replacing them, mostly with natives (though I snuck an elderberry into my backyard mini-orchard). I’m pleased that it is already blooming! From the looks of things, my guava crop should be bountiful this season. And I’ll have at least one pineapple to savor. Tasty treats to look forward to!
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5-Star Day

Brittlestar, Blending In
Brittlestar, Upside Down
Sand Dollar Trio

Today, six long months after Hurricane Helene inundated this area, my house passed its final inspection. Such a relief to put this ordeal behind me!

While I tackled the majority of the work myself, I would not have successfully navigated this without help and support from my friends, family, and neighbors. I’m very grateful, thank you all!

My celebratory beach walk this evening rewarded me with two brittlestars and three sand dollars, all rare treats. It was definitely a 5-star kind of day! 🌟
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