Things that grow out of other things

Yes, a metaphor in some ways and in others, completely literal. It appears that there are lots of things around here growing out of other things. First let me say that its been quite some time since I've lived in a place that active and truly meaningful local politics. Now don't offended. I'm not insulting DC in anyway, but the City Council was so liberal and no matter what they did, all bills had to go to Congress for review. The most exciting politics in DC was still the federal government and its antics no matter how delinquent or drug using DC politicians got.

Now down here, that's another story. I guess like many states around the country, Florida is flat broke. They're breaking contracts with teachers and school districts left and right. They've got whole community in foreclosure and budget deficits you could drive trucks through. Though down here in South Florida the County commission is thinking of driving harness racing through those loopholes. Seriously.

You might have heard Dave Barry on NPR on the subject. It seems the illustrious County Commission want to put slot machines at the Miami airport. But wait, as if that's not a potentially contentious enough debate... there's this little Florida law that says you can't have slot machines without horse racing. I kid you not. This is real stuff going on right here in my new home. Just curious where those horses might be running. I mean the runways are the obvious spot but if you thought geese in NY were troublesome... can you just see the difficulties with the 5th race? Ah, if only my father were around. He'd think this was funny. In fact, he find a way to make a trifecta out of the winner of the race, the on time departure and the number of passengers on the plane. Maybe I should send this idea to the County Commission?

But I digress. Then there's the property tax rate. No one on the Commission wanted their name attached to a tax increase. So they just didn't set one. They adjourned without addressing. That left the County Property Appraiser to do the dirty work. Unlike his "bosses" he seemed up to the task as he set the rate higher than the Mayor had be proposing. Glad I don't own property here. Once I figure out who all the players are, you know I'll be right in the mix. For now, I'm still trying to get a handle on all the incorporated cities within the county. Some places have mayors, someplace are just county. Its a tad confusing but not insurmountable. Any minute now I'm going to care enough to get it right.

Back to things growing out of other things. The Palm trees are going crazy. All sorts of things are sprouting out of them. Take a look. This first one is my favorite. Big pointy red things sticking out of the top of the trees. Cool.

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Some just have "things" hanging from every which way.



Others have things that just appear ...







I'm not really sure you can see on these pictures. I'll have to do better at my photography. Sometimes I think I must look hilarious I just pull to the side of the road, hop out and take a photo of a tree top. Hope back in and on my way I go. I can just hear them..."damn tourist."

I know I seem to have a preoccupation with clouds since I've arrived here but well, they're just pretty freaking awesome. This was the sunset looking down U.S. 1 after some errands.



These, as you should recognize by now, are from my balcony.






The fruit of the week was Guava. Suzanne is trying to get me to eat new things. No problem. I think she's finally given up on mushrooms so we're on to fruit. Have you ever had fresh Guava? It's pretty and awfully aromatic. But eating one is a bit weird. There are seeds that are hard as concrete. So you bit in and wonder if you should spit or what? Its hard to try and cut around them, though I guess it can be done. Suzanne says you just chew around them and swallow them. Sounds fishy to me. Sounds like just the thing my mother would have said would end up with me growing a guava plant in my stomach. I'm not sold. But they sure are pretty. This is me masquerading and a food photographer.



And when I'm not tracking clouds or wrestling fruit seeds... sometimes there's just a shadow on my balcony that catches my eye. I thought I'd share.



Sometimes its the little things in a day that makes me happy.



And so my friends, there you have it. Another installment in the exciting adventures of my new home in Miami. There might even be a business here for me soon... but that's too cumbersome to even begin to tell. Two steps forward, a whole leap back. I'll let you know when there's news. Until then. Its me and the trees, the plants, the clouds and the fruit. No jokes, please. Its a sore subject.

As always, cards, letters, emails and calls are much appreciated. How's your exciting world?