THIS MONTH'S NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
Life continues to be good in Gainesville if you're able to ignore the daily destruction of democracy. One day you might be gator gazing on Paynes Prairie and next, holding a sign, chanting "Hey hey, ho ho, Donald Trump has got to go!", at a Main Street rally.
To let off a little steam we had a couple of "empty chair" town hall meetings which our congressional
representative, Kat Cammack, chose not to attend.
I was in charge of the one at Heartwood a month ago.
Gregg Jones moderated and our representative's chair was asked many challenging questions. Towards the end Kat impersonator, Lucy Stein, took the stage. She made us laugh through our tears.
Our chanteuse, Trish, along with me, Lucy, and Gregg.
The next protest will be the "No Kings March" on
Saturday, June 14th. To beat the heat it will begin at 9 a.m. at Bo Diddley Plaza then head east on University Avenue.
SNAKES ALIVE!
I was joining my wife in the kitchen a few weeks ago when
I noticed a snake slithering past. As it was our back yard's rat snake, I found it to be more amusing than dangerous. Snakes in the kitchen, one more reason why I love living in North Central Florida.
MARLIN THE MERMAN
When the grand kids visited last month we took them to Ichetucknee Springs. As we approached I saw a half-man/half-fish lounging on the steps.
As he was fiddling with a go-pro camera I figured he wanted to record himself swirling in the depths. I suggested that he give me the camera so I have the honor of filming his merman fantasy. Off we went.
Afterwards he thanked me and said, "Look for me on Instagram!"
ARTIST STUDIO TOUR
Last weekend everyone had the opportunity to take
intimate tours of the studios of twenty local artists. What fun Francesca and I had meeting our creative neighbors in their paint-laden lairs. Here are a few things we saw
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| Printmaker, Leslie Peebles |
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| Duck Pond Painter, Anthony Ackrill |
This grand event, sponsored by the Gainesville Fine Arts Association, happens every spring. I hope you can be a part of it next year.
ONE MORE TOUR
A group of local artists meets regularly to discuss
creating more space to show their work. Our last gathering was the home of artist, Sylvia Mcintyre-Crook. What a treat it was to see her beautiful house and her creations inside. |
| Sylvia with a few of her paintings and sculptures. |
ONE MORE BURN
I just got my ticket to Burning Man.
In late August it'll allow me be to party with 80,000 of my best friends in the Nevada desert.
DANCING RETURNS
This week the New York Times proclaimed that dance parties are back. To prove it we had one in our living room last night.
LITTLE THINGS
Recently I visited my doctor's office for an ear problem. The nurse asked me if there was anything else bothering me.
I pointed out a small pimple-like protrusion on my left hand and asked, "Could that be a wort?". When she took my hand in hers I saw her hands were covered with dozens of large warts. As she muttered, "Looks like splinter problem", I felt as small as my pimple.
My wife tutors young kids with reading problems at a local school. She told me she was bringing cookies to the end-of-the-year party. When I asked, "What kind will you make?", she answered, "I'll buy them. They stopped allowing home-made cookies at 30 years ago".
I'm told it has to do with evil and peanut butter. Am I the last to know about this?
Two more questions:
1) Should we spend a trillions to put people on Mars? Musk wants us to move there because he and his friends are destroying the Earth. One scientist's response: "Mars makes Antarctica look like Tahiti".
2) Am I having a bad dream or is Trump really the president?
SO LONG JEFF
A truly wonderful man, Jeff Shapiro, died last month after a long illness. His send-off ceremony at the United Church of Gainesville was as splendid as Jeff himself.
It was standing room only as the crowd heard kind words affirming the good life that the retired etymologist lived, and, the many good deeds that he performed.
Jazz and klezmer bands, along with umbrella'd dancers added to the fun.
Jeff loved music as much as bugs. His clarinet melodies filled the air in many a band and in our annual Halloween parades.
Outside thirty of Jeff's t-shirts hung on a clothes line.
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| One of Jeff's shirts |
During the service we were told we could have our pick afterwards. I chose the one with the bug band, "Fear No Weevil".
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| Our neighbors are messaging on SW 13 Street. |
In late August it'll allow me be to party with 80,000 of my best friends in the Nevada desert. 
