These photos are from our most recent wanderings... I must admit we've been gleefully enjoying some gorgeous weather of late, the sort of weather that has made us look at each other on a blissful morning and say, "where to, today?" Truth be told, at first I mourned the loss of winter (what amounted to a measly two months this year) but now I've fully accepted our spring-summer season.
In honor of the sesquicentennial, we visited a nearby Civil War-era sugar plantation turned state park.
Everything is thrifted. Please note that me & this tote from Teeny have not parted ways since it landed! I love it and it gets some major compliments :)
When we got hot we snacked on loquats and found a cultivated variety that I swear tastes like a peach-green apple hybrid. If you haven't tried them you must!
We found some quiet time on some nearby mangrove islands adjacent to the Indian mounds to curl up with some good books. I decided it was necessary to read St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves BEFORE I started reading Swamplandia! (PS: Milla, so far while I liked the first, I think the novel is better :)
What I truly love about Russell's work is how personal her stories seem to be. Her intimate relationship with the Florida swamp and things like alligators is something that makes me beam with pride. Far too often these are the things that others find ugly and "scary" about us. Not too mention her gift for character development.
Take for instance, this passage from Swamplandia!,
"Cubby Wallach was complected like a bowl of oatmeal and yet carried himself as if he were wearing a top hat and spats. He had the bellicose dignity of a kid who refuses to excuse or even to acknowledge his own extreme ugliness. I admired this trait. It reminded me of the Seths (alligators), with their scarred, alien faces and their beautiful oblivion. Like a Seth, Cubby Wallach would led you stare at his face without apologizing for it."
I'll be sure to give a final report when I finish the book, but so far, it's pretty damn good :) Happy Wednesday all!
Ooh, another post already! Stoked! Thank you for the personal book review ;) I can't wait to hear the rest. You look lovely in your pretty summer clothes (a tiny bit jealous over here) and the Teeny Tote. I can't imagine florida being a real, life place, it seems so magical...Have you seen Sunshine State by John Sayles? If not you should, he has this way of capturing a place like no one else does.
ReplyDeleteWhoah! My heart is bursting with pride that you love the tote! I don't know if you remember me questioning thru both my blog and flickr about our small yellow fruit tree; it totally is loquat! Really thirst quenching is how I describe the sweet fruit...that could be because I tend to grab them from the tree on my walk up our driveway after jogging in the sun though. I'm going to try and seek out your book now you know.
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a good trees are here.search for this site
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I don't believe I've ever had a loquat. Curious.
ReplyDeleteOoh, loving all that cast-iron goodness at the sugar plantation! Can't beat a lovely day filled with a good book and gallivanting with your hunny :)
ReplyDeleteHow lovely this all looks! I great casual outfit on a day out to a little beach with a good book? Man, sounds like a dream day!
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