Brick and Moth

A Dot-Lined White Moth on the brick facade of my office. 

Sunrise at Cocoa Beach

It had been a while since I had been to the east coast. I decided to get up early to greet the day.

Driving to Cocoa Beach singing along with my favorite Dean Martin songs.

A flock of birds soaring with the moon. 

A paddleboarder in the early morning light.

A sunrise that resembled a meteor strike. 

The little flecks of water on the sand made the beach glitter in the early morning light.

Surfers gathering near the pier.

As I was heading back to my car I spotted this highly venomous Coral Snake crossing my path. I was able to capture this shot just before he disappeared into the brush. 

Rescued Squirrel

After Hurricane Irma several squirrels were brought to John, an artist who frequently collaborates with DRIP. Amanda agreed to take one to lighten the load. She had to keep him with her at all times to make sure he could get the regular feedings he required. She brought him to DRIP on one of our shifts together and he fell asleep in the palm of my hand.

Sunset in a Glass of Wine

Grounded: The Art of Looking Down (Part 11)

The aftermath of a DRIP show: colored sand, glitter, and the fallen leafs of a nearby tree.

Waiting for the laundry.

The view from our hotel pool in The Keys.

Sitting on the rocks behind The Southernmost Point.

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.

The lovely beaches of Bahia Honda.

Waiting for the waves to meet me in Miami.

Sitting on the steps of my parent’s pool.

Lemon Cookies

As a child the only time I ever had lemon cookies was at my grandfather’s house. They were the store brand ones with the cream in the middle like an Oreo. I don’t remember if he liked them or if he only had them at the house because of me; but every time I eat a lemon flavored cookie I am transported to his backyard. I remember the pool and the hibiscus flowers. The water wings that actually made it difficult to swim. Everything was so beautiful. 

Honesty is a crazy thing. 

I was raised to be honest. I was told people would respect me for it. I was told it would set me free. Most often I found that it will set people free of me. 

The words come out easy, for me they always have. But it’s not simply the words - it is the meaning they carry. My eyes well up with tears, my chest burns, my spirit grows. But this is always perceived as weakness. 

I’ve lost so much for the sake of honesty I sometimes wonder why I was allowed to have anything at all. 

I give too much to get so little in return, but I’m not here to hold back. Let this venom run its course. One night at a time, love in fragments. 

Rejection gnaws on me slow and steady. Was I only made to be wasted? 

I can only be lost in myself for so long. My introspection turns into auto pilot. The cats are hungry. The sink is full of dishes. I let the laundry pile up for too long. I load up the car and head to the laundromat. I cram all my clothes into the machine and feed it quarters. I realize I haven’t eaten anything in a while. Sometimes the laundromat leaves out free snacks for the customers. I walk over the food stand and pull up the lid. 

Lemon cookies. The store brand ones with the cream in the middle. 

Aloe Flower

A lovely aloe flower blooming in my parent’s back yard laced with the silk thread of a wandering spider.