In memory….

Only in Key West does the American flag ...have a hint of Hibiscus flower and Palm trees for stars…Oy.

In memory of those who serve…

and served.

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!

~Maya Angelou

Summer moves in with ego in Florida…

Not shy…

more like a pusher… it’s rising barometer

daring us to inhale it.

Smirking at times.

And yeah… we push back

in the beginning.

Because we think this may be the one that saunters in slowly…in our time. Not it’s.

This is the year we’ll get everything done so we can enjoy.

go ahead...laugh away.

But we can never push it back…It comes, and seeps in cracks…and warms everything

to hot. To scalding...even.

Old tired pools beckon…plead

…even beg.

Work never ends…it slows…

In the heat.

But never ends…

Tireless comrades remain faithful…

albeit hot under black fur.

even though they do have cute white sneakers.

but...Pleading all the same.

Then… evening rolls in

in pink and purple and Gray

cool colors

calming colors

healing colors

And we beckon another day.

gratefully.

"In summer, the song sings itself."

~William Carlos Williams

We interrupt this post for a {horsey} commercial break…

And growing…

sigh

carry on.

Private jungle reserve could be yours…or mine…

Join me on a little excursion…deeper South…Belize

The heart of the once Mayan empire

where turquoise waters lap up to the jungle’s edge...

Where relaxation is fairly effortless

like maybe a big toe in the sand to move the slowing hammock

Heading toward what is reminiscent

of Mayan huts…

Only a small spit of sand separates the cool pool

from the warm Caribbean waters

ahhh

We can each have an individual round cabana

thatched in Palm.

With windows picturesquely crisscrossed with local branches

to prevent neon-colored tropical birds

so bright they look gaudy

from stopping in

Trees…in their entirety…make chairs, railings, lamps.

The walls are colored by rubbing natural dyes into them with cloths

Kanantik reef

This resort is conveniently for sale…and could be yours for the asking.

Well… 8 million clams…

and the asking.

Images: Michael Calderwood

In?

Little tropical diversion…

Today was just aBeautiful day in the subtropics!

It CAN get killer hot fast...but today we entertained a flirtacious cool breeze

workin' weather.

We happen to have a series of rooms we are working on...

in our yard

well…kinda sorta working on...the Freeze this past winter worked on 'em more...

Tropical…yes. trying

Big leaves.

check

Kinda wacky and homemade…

Check. Have that in spades, too.

oy

color…

um hmm.

natures best palate

riot of blooms...

yep...This week

SO... Son #1 spent some time

working on another rock room in

front of the Grandma B house

Need some more or different furniture…but a great start…

So…that’s a little happening at our casa…

But...personally... I LOVE perusing the work of a real tropical artist

Like...let's say...

Davis Dalbok a California landscape designer and author.

His work and images, below

This chaise lounge below…Well...I want.

and throw in those fun balinese umbrellas in a big pot

wouldja couldja??

And if lime green and turquoise are not the most adorable tropical prom couple…

Who is?

See those funky sticks below?

Mind out of the gutter folks.

fired ceramic bamboo shapes… stacked on rebar.

Just wild!

So coifed.

sigh.

Ahhhh Summer…

Please stay sweet.

This weekend…

…There is never enough time

to do all the nothing you want…

To a weekend full of nothings.

and everything.

Happy Mother’s Day

to all of the Mother’s

especially mine

linen chair…

Done.

Enuf.

Next: Painting Living room

Who wants to watch the paint dry?

Hello…tap tap tap…this thing on?