I got the itch.
Happens to me every year.
For about a week now I've had what I call Spring fever. Now, I know you snowbirds out there are probably thinking Pfft. Spring fever? You live in Miami, Val.
Yeah, I live in Miami and I dont have to shovel snow or bundle up. And it rarely gets below 50 degrees here. But still, we have had absolutely the most beautiful weather here for the past few weeks. Clear blue skies, moderate temps and of course, those breezes coming in from the ocean...
And every year, this time of year, when the weather is perfect like it is now, I get the itch. The I-need-to-be-outside-at-the-beach-or-by-the-pool-or-on-a-boat-or-at-the-Keys-lying-on-a-hammock-under-a-palm-tree-with-a-daiquiri-in-my-hand itch.
Right now, I'm sitting inside my windowless office and all I can think of is this.
Now tell me, wouldnt you want to be lounging under one of those palms, with the sand between your toes, the sun at your back and that endless lapping of little waves right in front of you? Cant you just smell the ocean?
All you need to complete the picture of pure, unadulterated and unbridled relaxation is a cooler full of your favorite beverage, maybe a little smooth jazz on the radio and a good book. A nice, juicy work of fiction.
Weill, I cant help you all with the sun, the sand or the sea, and you'll have to choose your own music and BYOB, but I can suggest an excellent work of fiction:
La Pionera and the New Mango by Jerome du Bois and Catherine King of The Tears of Things.
La Pionera is by far one of the best pieces of fiction I have read in quite some time, and, of course, to top it off, it's about Cubans in Cuba. Trust me folks, you will love it. It's chock full of real characters, intrigue, suspense, CDR agents, Santeros, the whole nueve yardas.
I urge you all to click the following links, press your print button and find yourself a nice, cozy and relaxing spot under a palm tree. You wont be able to stop reading.
La Pionera And The New Mango. Introduction: Meet The Mantis
La Pionera And The New Mango: Part One (Sections 1-3)
La Pionera And The New Mango: Part One: I've Learned A Lot From The Nautilus: (Section 4)
La Pionera And The New Mango: Part One: I've Learned A Lot From The Nautilus: (Section 5)
La Pionera And The New Mango: Part Two: In The Time Of Lisa Zeitgeist: (Sections 1-4)
La Pionera And The New Mango: Part Two: In The Time Of Lisa Zeitgeist: (Sections 5-7)
La Pionera And The New Mango, Part Two, Section 8: Guillermo's Sojourn To Santa Clara
La Pionera And The New Mango, Part Two, Section 9: Lisa Zeitgeist Under The Influence
La Pionera And The New Mango: The Legend Of The Seed Man
And the latest addition:
La Pionera And The New Mango, Part Two, Section 10: Jikary Nacional and the Jaba Vinyl of Miracles
Now go and read. You can thank me later.
Val, where did you get that photo? It looks like the one I took that's on the state park website?
that is my photo...here's the link
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/parks/OPG/bahiahonda/photos/visitors/BAH-BahiaHonda-MichaelPancier.jpg
I found it interesting that Val's image of solitude pointed him to a photo I took which depicts visually a place where I find solace. By the beach and by a palm tree. I'm reminded of Jose Marti's poem and the song "Guantanamera" which states:
Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crecen las palmas
Yo soy un hombre sincero
De donde crecen las palmas
Y antes de morirme quiero
Echar mis versos del alma
Since Cuba, its music, its soul runs in my veins as inherited through the blood of my family, when things seem at their worst, I find solace by the sea and by the palms. Much of what I photograph is of the tropical paradise I live in. But deep inside I hope to one day photograph the beaches and palms of my ancestors. The one's my family had to leave behind over 46 years ago. My grandparents never lived long enough to return. Likewise, my mother is getting in years, and who knows if she will ever return.
We shall return one day.