The Cat Wins Again

There is a rooster thinks he's facing down Boogie the Cat -- Boog is just chillin' under the Kia fender, prrgrrowling to herself in Russian, "Петух, я не имею счеты с Вами."

Orchid Cactus on the Move

Observation on Catherine Street

Man in yellow bikini and leather sandals speedoes by on his intended route to I don't know where, as he often does. Deeply tanned. Riding the waves of at least seventy years.

Two women in an SUV are stopped at William Street.

As Bikini Man rolls by, their eyes follow his path and grinning faces slowly propel them across and on to United Street.



Prospect and Refuge...

...is what I call my corner of the world on Catherine Street. This idea, this architectural concept, was shared with me by one of my favorite Key West Artists, Leo Gullick, as he was strolling by on Catherine and stopped for a chat one night. It was late in the evening, and the only illumination was the soft amber street light where William crosses Catherine. [This is the light I work and play by.] Leo offered that my space brought the idea of Prospect and Refuge to mind. I have been mindful of it ever since. [Thanks Leo! (and thanks to folks that collaborate the good things in life!)]

My P and R It is where I work and play, editing photographs, "following the monochord" as I discover music with my guitar and sketching ideas as I square away the end of day in my fplrg.*

This space is my Refuge. And because the line of view faces the intersection of the cross streets, and the world of Key West rolls by, it is also my Prospect. I am aware of my surroundings and its inhabitants. I am both connected and protected, my little world symbiotic with the macrocosm.

I have a vision of a great little shotgun shack downtown with a place in the front where I can show and sell my images and hang out with other anarchists who have chosen their art, their talents, as the focus of their journey and folks who want to acquire the artifacts of those who create. Like mine for instance. A place on the porch for a refreshing beverage and conversation and music...sigh...these are things I desire.

In the meantime, I happily do the work, prepare it from my Prospect and Refuge, nod hello as folks stroll by, give directions to El Siboney ["you're almost there, two more blocks."]  and watch my garden grow.

*fplrg = front porch living room garden

** Monstera Deliciosa gifted to garden by Molly Brown

***sculpture in my garden by Susan Johnson

Zephyranthes Grandiflora!

Coming Soon

Rainy Day Palms

Fantasical

Captured at Marc House in Key West

Afternoon Catch on Seidenberg Ave

Conjoined

Deliciosa unfurling to join the others

Brugmansia -- Angel Trumpet, Belladonna

moments like these

...and then there's

detail - altar

Browsing the Neighborhood

Orchid Afternoon

Relaxing in the garden at Isle Style, Key West

In the Garden at Isle Style

1204 Simonton Street

Key West, FL 33040

(305) 292-4000

Staghorn Fern -- Beginnings



Monstera Deliciosa

Nancy Forrester and the Secret Garden

On Saturday, March 31, 2012, lovers and supporters of Nancy Forrester's Secret Garden gathered to celebrate the forty-two years she maintained the garden and spiritedly called forth an amazing future for this Key West treasure.

According to Mandy Miles, writer for Key West newspaper, The Citizen:

She retains ownership of the attached property at 518 Elizabeth St. that abuts the garden acreage, and has moved the parrots and orchids there, where she will continue to invite visitors to explore the educational displays she will install on that property.

"I've always had the two entrances, but since I'm no longer able to use Free School Lane, I'll be using 518 Elizabeth," she said. "And since I no longer have a rainforest garden, I'll be offering more educational displays about the orchids and parrots."

She optimistically called the change a "metamorphosis" and a "resurgence of creative energy."

For those who mourn the change, trust Nancy's optimism, and continue supporting  its new identity.

All the best to you Nancy, and the sacred garden. Your love's labour's not lost.