"In 1928, a storm, so powerful that locals swore it "blowed a crooked road straight," killed thousands on the southern shore of Lake Okeechobee. "They seemed to be staring at the dark," wrote Zora Neale Hurston as she imagined the mass of workers running from the storm surge, "but their eyes were watching God." - from Epilogue, page 359, Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams - A Social History of Modern Florida by Gary R. Mormino
i took my time reading this book, which was okay because this is the one the library doesnt have a clue that i have checked out. :) dont worry, im taking it back tomorrow. they will have a nice surprise in their in-box.
i suppose its happened virtually everywhere, developers taking the land, ruining it and making huge profits, but with almost 2,000 miles of tidal shoreline (plus, 650 miles of beach and 4,500 islands), it was bound to happen more often here. no resident of florida lives more than 60 miles from saltwater.
"The first encounter between Europeans and Native Americans - perhaps the single most significant event in American history-occurred on a Florida beach. "The beach itself was a savage place," argues anthropologist Greg Denig, "made so by the mutual contempt of those who stood across it from one another." Sometime in the early sixteenth century, a soldier, a slaver, or ship's carpenter waded ashore. A breath of air, the smells of rancid palm oil and fetid sailors, the clasping of hands, and the drawing of blood set into motion a series of revolutions still unfolding." page 303, Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams - A Social History of Modern Florida by Gary R. Mormino
i think i would rather the tourists stayed home and the snowbirds found another winter retreat.
Friday, March 31, 2006
livings just a waste of death
now, then, what else?
*im back to being a brunette. i mean a real one.
*the loquat tree (otherwise known as japanese plum) is overloaded with ripe, tangy fruit. an important note to keep in mind, always look up info about edible fruit/plants you arent familiar with before you eat; for example, the loquat seeds are toxic - don't eat, chew or swallow. thats vital for me to know, since im the type of girl who would dare herself to pop the whole thing in her mouth seeds and all, sorta like when i eat watermelon and say to myself, i dont care about the seeds - its good fiber.
*i still can crack myself up, even if its not as often as before.
*the garden is coming along well, despite the heartbreak over my tiny, pain-stakingly transplanted, now dead, seedlings. i should post a picture of the rest of it... hmm, perhaps after todays weeding session.
*im a bit worried about my neighbor; i havent seen her and her car has just been parked in her drive for the last few days. no lights on at night, either. it could be shes just away. at least i look when the lights are off at my place, so i dont seem like the nosy neighbor that i am. once she caught me looking in the laundry room. darn those fluorescents.
*im back to being a brunette. i mean a real one.
*the loquat tree (otherwise known as japanese plum) is overloaded with ripe, tangy fruit. an important note to keep in mind, always look up info about edible fruit/plants you arent familiar with before you eat; for example, the loquat seeds are toxic - don't eat, chew or swallow. thats vital for me to know, since im the type of girl who would dare herself to pop the whole thing in her mouth seeds and all, sorta like when i eat watermelon and say to myself, i dont care about the seeds - its good fiber.
*i still can crack myself up, even if its not as often as before.
*the garden is coming along well, despite the heartbreak over my tiny, pain-stakingly transplanted, now dead, seedlings. i should post a picture of the rest of it... hmm, perhaps after todays weeding session.
*im a bit worried about my neighbor; i havent seen her and her car has just been parked in her drive for the last few days. no lights on at night, either. it could be shes just away. at least i look when the lights are off at my place, so i dont seem like the nosy neighbor that i am. once she caught me looking in the laundry room. darn those fluorescents.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
my cat kneads me
my cat, bear, cannot resist plants. i cant have any plants or flowers around him, since he will chew them to bits. i use it against him when he is in a room he shouldnt be; by rustling a few leaves he will come running, unable to stand against their powers.
this past week i havent been home much. because of that, bear has been following me around like hes afraid to let me out of his sight. as soon as there is a lap available, he is there, looking deep into my eyes like im either food or a drug he really needs. if i dont pet him, he pets me - my neck and face, and rubs his wet nose all over my chin.
puppy, however, is more aloof. she doesnt like to be on a lap often but loves to rub her face against furniture. when my sleeping form is on the couch like it was this morning, she is more than willing to find a spot to nap on. strangely, she listens more than any other cat ive known, usually coming when you call her name. she is also a good cat, always waiting for someone to tell her its okay to come into a room that shes usually not allowed in.
these cats are my only company these days.
this past week i havent been home much. because of that, bear has been following me around like hes afraid to let me out of his sight. as soon as there is a lap available, he is there, looking deep into my eyes like im either food or a drug he really needs. if i dont pet him, he pets me - my neck and face, and rubs his wet nose all over my chin.
puppy, however, is more aloof. she doesnt like to be on a lap often but loves to rub her face against furniture. when my sleeping form is on the couch like it was this morning, she is more than willing to find a spot to nap on. strangely, she listens more than any other cat ive known, usually coming when you call her name. she is also a good cat, always waiting for someone to tell her its okay to come into a room that shes usually not allowed in.
these cats are my only company these days.
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