3rin's View…

The water was so incredible yesterday morning during the beach cleanup that I was compelled to take a photo break. While I’m pleased with them, they are a pale imitation…

This morning’s beach cleanup on Treasure Island was another successful outing. Our beaches are fairly clean, thanks in a large part to the flow of the gulf current, since it is picking up speed along our coast, it carries debris away.

When the current hits the Texas coastal bend it slows down and drops it all off. Which I experienced first hand when I lived along the Texas coast, it was great for beach combing but also rather depressing to see all the trash wash ashore.

Even with the assist from the water, I filled my bag twice this morning, mostly cigarette butts (and one used condom – blech). As always, I found a few treasures and this time I even made a little money (three whole pennies). The best part of the morning was just being on the beach, it was gorgeous!

While wandering around Myakka River State Park my friend Alyssa and I stumbled across a Tampa Butterfly Orchid (Encyclia tampensis) hanging out of a live oak.

The first part of the common name refers to the fact that the species was discovered in 1847 in the Tampa area. The second part was inspired by the way the flowers flutter in the breeze.

Though this delicate beauty is one of the most prolific orchids native to Florida (and the Caribbean), it is a regulated plant in the state. A move designed to protect the species from orchid thieves. Here’s hoping the species continues to thrive!

Westley here. Just wanted to pop in to let you know that you there’s a meow inside the word homeowner. Good luck pronouncing it correctly in the future!

Last weekend I drove up to Inverness with my friend Katie to help out at Night of Carnage, a demo derby at the Citrus County Speedway. Some of her friends are taking over the food and beverage concessions at the track and they were in need of extra hands.

It was a long night since we had to wait for a typical Florida summer storm to blow through but thankfully, we were so busy we didn’t even notice the time!

After sleeping in on Sunday, we spent the afternoon exploring nearby Fort Cooper State Park. The park protects the site of a small fort built in 1836 during the Seminole War.

We enjoyed wandering the trails while looking for wildlife and smelling the flowers. With the exception of three other people we were the only ones in the park, which surprised us given the pleasant weather.

Altogether a fun and interesting weekend!

Blame it on my fever but it occurred to me that if disappointment means lack of satisfaction shouldn’t appointment mean contentment? Words are weird!

While in bed this afternoon trying to sleep off a cold, I woke up to this. Westley brought me one of his favorite toys to help speed up the healing process. Or, he could have brought it in hopes that I’d wake up and play with him.

While the latter concept is far more likely, coming from a feline, I prefer to believe the former. Thanks, little buddy, I feel better already.

As they say down here, it’s been a minute since it’s rained at my house. While that’s normal this time of year, it’s been warmer than usual so my plants are looking a little peaked.

This past week storms have started building (a precursor to our rainy/hurricane season) but the lovely sea breezes that I adore keep pushing them inland. And no, central Florida, I’m not interested in hearing about the three inches of rain you received yesterday!

At least the nearby thunderstorms have been dropping my evening temperatures…