Some Catching Up......

I thought it was about time to catch up on the blog....with lots of shots with the new camera (which is either a blessing or a curse because I now carry it with me everywhere) and shots from Travis and Shannon on Dakota's second birthday I have an abundance of new stuff to talk about....this is just me in front of the Coffee shop...last day as a Pirate...as of today no more patch...the bubble is still there but it has retreated to a little below half of my vision in my eye..I can look over the top and see things clearly...just have to ignore the fact that my vision is like looking through a half glass of water....


Visited some friends in Cape Coral recently and in addition to having a great time at a birthday party for a very special friend ( who remain anonymous at her request ) took lots of pics of the party but I shall honor her wishes...did go out boating with a little side trip to fish just before sunset...had a great time...only caught one small snapper but got to see a great sunset and spend some time with some very nice people...





Here is Jay's dog "Xena"...she is a real ball of energy...and of course wanted to be upfront the whole time...even when I was fishing off the bow...which by the way is pretty hard to do with only one eye...did everything but actually fall into the water...Xena however was right at home...I don't think Jay realizes it yet but I believe Xena is a Fish Pointer...looks like she spotted one in this pic...I knew a Bass fisherman once who swore that his dog came on point when a bass was lurking under lily pads...got so into it that he would not fish unless the dog was along....I was in a fishing club at the time and when it got to the point that he was winning almost every tournament we had...we banned the dog from all tournaments....he made believers out of us...he did have a good argument however...he claimed that any depth/fish finder did the same thing...but we still banned the dog....we could all have fish finders but no one else had a fish finding dog...hey....can't blame us...after all...we wanted a level playing field...


On our sunset cruise we passed by this burnt out house on the canal....the story goes that an older couple lived there and one day while his wife was out shopping ....the husband went outside by the canal sat down and shot himself...he started the fire before he left and made sure the cat was out of the house....nobody knows the rest of the story...sad ending to what looked like the perfect retirement...






On a lighter note....for those of you who don't know....there is a lyric in one of Jimmy Buffett's songs that goes..."Lets set sail with Captain Morgan, and never leave dry land"......this is what happens when you set sail with Captain Morgan and you do leave dry land....




I've done a little "land sailing " with Captain Morgan myself over the last few weeks and had some very good times with good friends at Will's Honky Tonk...it's hard not to have a good time with friends like Ingrid and Valery ..(new friend and bar tender at Mokies).. and music from my favorite local band...Smoked Mullet...of course Brian.... my kindred spirit and Kayak fishing fanatic and proud member of The Yard Dogs..remain my favorite non-local, Swamp Music Band...


Ingrid, Valery and I had a great time dancing up a storm...ended up walking home ....In case your worried...I never drink and drive...and Will's is only a few blocks away....I could have had a ride home but I went outside for air and just kept on walking...it was a beautiful and cool night and I really needed the walk and the cold air...I apologized to the girls after for not saying good-night...nuff said?...




Had breakfast and coffee as well as a great conversation that lasted a couple of hours with Ingrid and Suzie one morning....this is just before the latest cold snap ...haven't had much of a chance to sit outside the last few days with a cold breeze blowing most of the day...this will be the last cool front we hope....the old Coconut Grove is going to be opening up again with our good friends Merrill and Tony back in charge and the warm weather is right on time for some good music and dancing in the back courtyard....can't wait ... will fill you all in on the next blog....



Went back to Mokies Bar to hear Kenny Rose play again...he is going to be there every Tuesday for a while...looks like that will be the place to hang on Tuesdays....saw "Dancing Debbie" and friends...looking good and dancing up a storm with Bob...also known as "Dancing Bob"...they are with out a doubt the most energetic and talented dancers on the floor when they dance together...one of these days I'm going to get a video and post it on the blog...but for now just take my word for it....they are good!!!.....

















Here is my latest creation from art class...once again I make no apologies...the idea that I could produce even the smallest amount of artwork that would resemble anything...still amazes me...it ain't great ...but it's mine...I'm loving these classes...

















I've been experimenting with the new camera and have found the Macro setting...took a few shots of some of the great flowers that are blooming around my friends house in Cape Coral and I'm kinda liking the results...almost as pretty as some of the great sunsets I've been getting...I'm thinking about trying to reproduce some of these shots in water colors or pastels...we'll see...



















Shirley and Flo are doing another opening act for "Red"....he liked them so much before that he wants them to go on tour with him...Shirley said "No thanks"..but she will be going to Texas this month to perform at a big Blue Grass Jamboree....they even got there pics on the new poster for Red's visit to Englewood Elks on Saturday the seventh...I'll be there will you?




I have been trying to do some fishing during this cold snap....got this Spanish Mackerel within the first few minutes of a trip to the fishing pier...then went two more hours without even another hit...that's the mystery of fishing...it also goes to prove that the best definition of fishing is..." A jerk on one end, waiting for a Jerk on the other end".....at least it was warm in the sun out of the wind....and that fish sure looked bigger before I took the picture...must be the camera...






One fisherman I met caught a Puffer fish and was trying to show me how to cut out just a small area behind the head that is a delicacy in Cuba where he was from...I said I would pass on trying that...because if you cut out the wrong thing...you Die!!









As I mentioned...Dakota had her second birthday and it looks like she really got into this one...her Mom says that the trip to Chucky Cheeses was the most fun she has ever seen her have....Dakota was just thrilled with all the excitement...







Of course when she got home there was even more surprises and her favorite gift ...the motorized four wheeler...







She got to blow out the candles and kisses to all her friends and family for the first time this year...last year she needed a little help...











Dad had to read her the cards but she loved all the pictures...especially if they were anything to do with any of Disney's Princesses...her favorite characters...











I'm sure Callie had a good time as well...she just won't remember it....she is getting to be a little darling herself....

















One last thing....My new book comes out this month in hardcover...here is a comp of the cover...it can be pre-ordered from Barnes and Noble if you so desire...I will be having a book signing at the Village Gift Coffee Shop on the second Saturday in April if all goes well.... I love that cover...








I leave you with a great series of shots of the same sunset that I captured just two days ago on the dock behind the house...it never ceases to amaze me on how many beautiful and different ways the good Lord starts the journey into night...





That's All For Now....

Live, Love, Laugh & Dance...

Semper Fi...

Monk

In The Eye Of The Beholder...

No pun intended about my current eyesight situation....but I've come to the conclusion that like art.... life, is truly in the eye of the beholder. You can go through your life with all its ups and downs and be constantly worried about what awful thing might happen next to spoil your day...or you can look at everything that happens as an experience to be remembered, good or bad, that is part of a wonderful journey that is all to short and should not be wasted focusing precious time on negative thoughts. I prefer the latter and therefore try and move on with my life in a positive manner every day. Sure there is some really bad crap that can happen, and I'm not saying that you should laugh your way through an extremely bad event in your life, but whether it's a hit to your soul, your heart, or something more physical, the quicker you can move on the better your life will be. That's why I love it so much in our little corner of paradise...people here, most that is, have a happier take on life than I think anywhere else I have ever lived.



When I see a sunset like the ones pictured here or just something as simple as smiling happy friendly faces like the ones of my friends pictured above...I just know that no matter what happens, friends like these and everyone you have seen in previous entries, are there for me. What a fantastic feeling to know that fact....so for all of you I would like to say "Thank You" for being there for me in time of need and for being my friends.



















Speaking about the eye of the beholder...here are two different versions of chalk artwork that I thought you might get a kick out of....one is the second attempt at artwork and the result of my last class with famed artist Carroll Swayze.. she has given me the gift of some of her knowledge of how to begin to develop an appreciation and a talent for art. Not that I'm saying I have any talent...but it is certainly more exciting and enjoyable than I had ever hoped it would be.


The next are 3D chalk drawings that were sent to me of an artist that is truly an amazing talent with chalk ....he draws these in public places and except for the pictures that are taken ....they are gone in a few days...this is true talent and I am in awe of this man...I will acknowledge him if I can get his name. Now that's a Frog....WoW!!!




Went to the monthly car show here on Dearborn Street and as usual...was amazed at how many people collect and care for these classic beauties..it happens every first Saturday of every month...if you love cars..then you should come down next month...









Talk about art....some of these are truly works of art....I'd like to doll up the "Monkmobile" someday so I would be proud to show it at an event like this...it will have to wait until I can get the resources to make it happen.
















Shirley and Flo are going on a road trip...it starts here in Englewood and may lead them to Dallas and beyond...they have been asked to be the opening act once more for Red's next visit to the Elk's Club here in Englewood and then he wants them to go with him on several gigs one of which is in Dallas....I hope they do it...there is some hesitation about getting out into the public spotlight...but like I told them...this could be the adventure of a lifetime and sometimes the road not taken can lead to a lot of "I should of's" later on.....do it girls ....you have a gift, share it.....


Dakota got her first hair cut and the end result is bangs...I'm told that Daddy didn't want a sweet hair on her head touched but common sense won out...look at that before picture ...it was way past time to do something about it...Mom was right ..and how cute is that new look....what a doll.....















Callie is so cute....she is going to end up looking like Dakota's twin sister...I have photos of Dakota at the same age and it like looking back in time at her...

















One last item.....this is how we hunt for Hogs down here...we just send the pet Alligator out and say "Fetch"....this shot was taken not ten miles north of here..."Come on boy, bring home the bacon to Daddy"......










That's All For Now....

Live, Love, Laugh & Dance...

Semper Fi...

Monk

A Pirate's Tale....

As I mentioned in the last posting...I had my first major health issue since coming to this wonderful paradise and I'm better for the experience...my friends came through and it looks like it will all end well....but in the meantime I will be wearing this eye patch for several more weeks.....here is the rest of the story...that by the way is the best I can do for "Arrr Matey"......




Thanks to my friends I have been ferried back and forth for the last couple of weeks...this is a pic of my friend Ingrid...I treated her to lunch after she graciously offered to take me last week...thank you one and all for help....

All I did was get up off the couch several nights ago and noticed that I had lost partial vision on my right side....at first I thought it was just a "floater" but by morning it had not gone away...as I moved into the week-end...it was the busy one with my friend Karen visiting from up north....it got progressively worse...of course..like an idiot...I tried to ignore it...on Monday all but a small portion of my vision in the right eye was gone....now I panicked....I knew I had to use the VA and the closest to me that handled such things was in Ft. Myers....50 miles away...I got up at six and drove one-eyed all the way there only to find out it was closed for the Martin Luther King holiday...more panic....decided not to drive back...went to nearest hospital Lee Memorial,,,and got checked by emergency....yep..detached retina they said and off they sent me to an off site Opthomologist by taxi...they of course only verified the findings and sent me to a surgeon who took one look and said he had to do surgery on it quickly or I might lose it for good...the next day I was back and done by supper time....

On the last trip back we also stopped at a favorite hang-out of ours to watch our favorite local band..."Smoked Mullet".....play their last gig for this restaurant...another casualty of the economy you say....no....a casualty of a greedy partner who ran off with all the money....hope they catch the bastard...Speaking of bands my favorite non-local band is "The Yard Dogs" ...hard to describe their music...but its fun..Brian the guy who plays the "suitcase"..you'll understand if you check out their site....is a Kayak fisherman maniac...has his own blog (click here) is a great place to visit for fun and if your a fisherman.....

Speaking of music....Shirley, Flo and I went to a place called The Bean Depot just up the road in El Jobean....it is a real old Florida hang out with a history as a post office and jail and now as a restaurant as well as a place to hear some great "Blue Grass" and "Country" tunes in a jam session every Wednesday....





Flo played and sang ....












...and Shirley of course entertained with her outstanding voice that included her famous yodeling as well...










Had a great fishing trip with my son Kyle and his friend Will along with Will's dad Richard...I always have a contest with Kyle on number of fish caught...The score was eleven to one and I didn't have the one...Kyle complains because I count anything that gets over the gunwales and most of what I caught wouldn't make a cat's breakfast....but hey Pinfish, Lizardfish, and Whiting all swim in the ocean...so as far as I'm concerned ...they count....He did catch a nice Trout for his one of the day and lost another nice one just as he lifted it out of the water....we're even though... he is a better "Texas Holdem" player than me....and that makes him a lot more money than our bets for a buck....

Richard caught the fish of the day with this nice Sheepshead...the "Old Men" showed the boys how it's done.....










We had a beggar along for part of the time...he came right up to the side of the boat and looked up as if to say "OK, Where's Mine?.....Thanks again to Will and his Dad for a great time.....








Hey kids...see this boat....this is what I want...take up a collection for the old man....










Had another good time at Will's Honky Tonk on Friday nite...of course it was the great company and Smoked Mullet that made it special.....







Superbowl Sunday was special...we all went to Shirleys to watch it on big screen TV...she prepared a feast of munchies and pulled pork...


...Some of us consumed a little more alcohol than others....Hey I live next door...all I had to do was open the door and fall in....besides Pirates have to live up to the "Rep".....Arrrr......







Lots of food and some very good friends....and a Superbowl game that had us all yelling even some of us ....no names mentioned...but most are in this pic...that didn't have a clue about the rules of the game....

...and some that got a little rest between plays...isn't that a wicked little grin on her face...what was she dreaming ....probably something about men in tight pants....












Shirley gave each of us a little souvenir of our Superbowl party....














...She picked up these critters at the flea market and couldn't resist....cute huh....


That's All For Now....

Live, Love, Laugh....& Dance

Semper Fi...


Monk