Last weekend, after Hurricane Ida swooped by, I found one of the most complete Pen Shells (Atrina rigida) I have yet come across here along the Gulf Coast. Since it was such a nice specimen I brought it home.

I set it on my kitchen windowsill, my preferred location for recent finds that I want to spend more time examining later. In the morning light I noticed that the shell rather matched my accent tile – the interior nacre had a similar iridescent sheen and color.

As Dante Alighieri said, “Art imitates nature as well as it can…”

This is what I do for fun on a Friday evening, haul firewood. In Florida. In September. When it’s still almost 90 degrees at 7:45pm.

Because when someone offers free oak, I grab it!

Although Fall officially begins in 19 days, here in Central West Florida we won’t start cooling off until late October. When it does finally get chilly I’ll have an ample supply of wood for my fire pit!

It was a bit breezy and the fumes from the red tide irritated my eyes and throat but it was still lovely to walk my beach yesterday evening. Instead of shooting colorful flames across the sky (like earlier in the week), last night the sun slipped quietly behind the clouds. A different mood every day…

At first glance, what do you see? I saw a turtle but something about its visage seemed off as well as the timing (while it is still sea turtle nesting season, they typically come ashore after dark).

I carefully crept closer for a better photo and had to laugh at myself – since it was merely a palm frond.

I caught this sunset photo at 8:03 from Anna Maria Island this past Sunday. I thought the colors were stunning but the real show happened after the sun dipped below the horizon. Sixteen minutes later…

Mondays are free admission days at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, the official art museum of Florida. While that was enough of an inducement, I was equally delighted wandering the grounds of the sprawling 66-acre estate as I was the museum’s 21 galleries.

The compound, which currently consists of the art museum and library, Ca’ d’Zan (the Ringling mansion), two Circus museums, and a performing arts theater, as well as several distinct gardens and ponds, is perfectly situated along Sarasota Bay.

The handsome estate is an enduring legacy for the enterprenurial showman. Born in Iowa to German immigrants, John Ringling and five of his siblings began their first circus in 1870, when John was merely four years old. I won’t go into all the details but suffice it to say, it’s an impressive story: from the early days of charging one penny for admission to John becoming one of the richest men in the world by 1920.

As with many rags to riches stories, this one also saw a major reversal in fortune. John lost most of his money during the Great Depression, when he died in 1936 he had only $311 in the bank. More recently, in 2017, after 146 years, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus closed its tent flaps forever.

The residents of Florida are exceedingly fortunate that John Ringling bequeathed his sprawling estate and art collection to the state. Though the property floundered for the first 60 plus years, it has thrived since 2000 when it was transferred to Florida State University.

I’m looking forward to a return visit when the weather cools off!

Talk about eye-catching – I fell behind my hiking group since I was so mesmerized by this weird lump. After a bit of research I learned it was a Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus). Native to southern India and Malaysia, this exotic species was thriving along a drainage ditch next to I-275 in St. Petersburg.

Though odd in appearance, the fruit is said to have a sweet banana or pineapple taste. I have yet to try one but now I’m intrigued!

A few years ago I read this quote from Rob Hill Sr: “My goal is to build a life I don’t need a vacation from.” It really resonated with me, especially since I was in the midst of a huge life change.

After living in four states in four years (and a few months in Costa Rica), I bought a house here in St. Petersburg last September. This area of Florida has so much to offer: tons of parks and green spaces, easy access to multiple bodies of water (both salty and fresh), dozens of social and environmental nonprofits and colleges, vibrant local restaurants and merchants, and a laid-back, artsy vibe.

After years of searching, I’m grateful to have found my happy place. Where’s yours?

The climate here along the Central Gulf Coast of Florida is in the humid subtropical category. As such, any number of exotic species thrive here with little or no assistance.

I am familiar with several species of night blooming cereus from the desert southwest, so it was pleasant to see these blooming in my neighbor’s yard this past June.

I have since been able to add a few cuttings of these to my yard since someone placed their unwanted trimmings out by the curb. They are thriving right now and I look forward to their nighttime show next year!