Through the Eyes of a Visitor

This is a big weekend here in the Keys. There's several great bands having concerts up and down the Keys, music festivals, fundraisers, the Key West Food & Wine Festival, art & craft shows, and more. I made full use of my day yesterday, deciding early I was going to 26th Annual Key West Art & Craft Show.

When I woke up, it was quiet and still. The winds had finally abated, and it was already warm. Walking out my back door, I saw a very large sailboat which had anchored for the overnight close to my beach. It was such a beautiful sight, the sun coming up, the sailboat sitting peacefully as the water started to glimmer. I decided I was going to take the day as easy as possible, I could tell it was going to be an almost perfect day.

After I had most of my chores done, I put the top down on the convertible, and filled the cd player with all my favorites. I stopped at Pop's for a visit, making sure he had everything he needed for the day, then began my drive down the Keys. Traffic was pretty heavy, but moving. The sun was high in the sky, and warmed me completely (making me regret forgetting the sunblock). I was listening to music, driving my convertible, and going to Key West. I was going to be a tourist, and was pretty happy about that.

In my opinion, the most beautiful part of any drive down the Keys is from the 7 Mile Bridge all the way through the Lower Keys. There's not as much development, and places too numerous to count that have unblemished open water. Its unlike anything I've ever seen. As I got closer to Key West, I couldn't help but notice the naval jets in training over my head. I shut off the music, and just listened to their roar. They looked like they were doing circles, practicing landings perhaps.

I noticed quite a few other convertibles with tops down as I drove. A large majority of them had people holding cameras and camcorders out the sides. I don't blame them, in a past life I probably did the same thing (although never while driving). Just before Key West, some of our wonderful and brave local fire/rescue personnel were holding a boot drive. I've heard some people grumble about these "boot drives," but if they didn't need this money, they wouldn't be out there, would they? So, I made sure to roll up slowly to each boot and toss some bills in every time, with a huge "THANK YOU" to them all. Imagine, they actually thanked ME for the money... if I had time I would've gotten out at each stop and kissed their feet, no need to thank me for putting money in there, those folks are heroes. Anyway, back to my trip.

I picked my way through the streets of Key West s-l-o-w-l-y. The traffic was exceptionally heavy, both motorized and pedestrian. Funny thing though, no horns were beeping, no rude gestures being made. Most everyone else seemed to feel as I did... happy to be alive, happy to be in warm sunshine in January, happy to be on an island. I made my way to the show, paid for parking and had a nice chat with the attendant. Never in days past would I imagine any parking attendant would care to chat with me for more than 5 seconds to collect my money, but in the Keys I was able to exchange more than mere pleasantries. Nice! I parked, then walked through the crowds. This particular show is another favorite of mine. I don't think I've missed it since moving here. Once again, it did not disappoint. I saw some great art and craftsmanship, and was able to meet and talk with wonderful artists. I'm such an admirer of people who create, I find them typically be very imaginative, and fun to be around. I came away with some new pieces for the inn, and some great outdoor art too. I even scored a pair of glass turtle earrings from a woman who's work I absolutely love. Her pieces are whimsical, dreamy, and exceptionally unique. Besides, how could I possibly go wrong with a pair of turtle earrings?

After the show, I decided I wanted lunch, so I once again picked my way through the streets of Key West, making my way to "The Cafe, a Mostly Vegetarian Restaurant." Now, I've written about them before, and will write about them again. Some people find eating alone in a restaurant unsettling. I do not. I was greeted kindly, and seated immediately. I wanted to sit by a window so I could watch the action on the street. I ordered my food (seitan peppersteak!!) and listened to the music, staring at the folks on the street. A wide slice of humanity, that's for sure. I saw scooters, trucks, runners, tourist trains, cars, taxis, pedi-cabs and bicyclists. I saw people delivering pizza, and a gal on a bicycle with 2 very large animal carriers attached transporting 2 small dogs. I could tell the locals, their bikes are almost always jazzed up with flair. They'll have stickers, whimsical paint jobs, sparklers, signs, and stuff like that all over the bike.

After lunch, I walked up and down the streets for a while, just looking around. In windows. At architecture. At people. At animals. At motorcycles. At menus. You get the idea. I saw lots of people with cameras in their hands, and heard many other languages being spoken. The sun continued to press down on me all day. I stopped here and there for some refreshments, and more intense people watching. Surrounded by locals and visitors, feeling a little like a bit of each.

I would eventually make my way back to the car, and begin the trek home. The sun continued to warm me, music as my constant companion. I noticed the birds flying in the sky, boats dotting the landscape the entire drive home, plus lots more convertibles, cameras and camcorders.

Returning home, I decided to sit on the beach, commune with nature, and watch the sun go down. Key deer meandered by, Peri warmed my lap, and I was enveloped by the arms of the Universe. My day was completed with stargazing and contemplation.

Some days I get so busy this time of year, I forget what its really like to be here, why people are drawn to the Keys. Eyes wide open, I remember.

Horton, Are you Listening?

Snow abounds in many regions, again. Sub-zero temperatures, or very close to them, are also in full effect. Here, we've got some up and down temps, but nothing compared to the horror stories of the north. Thanks to our island weather, I met up for a date with my convertible. We had a nice time, and made plans to do it again. On the dark drive home, pelted by stardust, I thought about time and space. This subject has been on my mind since reading a comic strip a couple weeks ago. The 2 main characters were holding an ant farm, and talking about the ants. They were lamenting how despite all the ants fancy work & effort, they're basically just tiny little insects trapped in a plastic world for the amusement of others. Move forward in the strip, and of course there's two aliens holding an "ant farm" which contains the planet Earth. They're speaking in alien words, but the subtitles explain the exact same feelings about the people on Earth.

That strip reminded me of Dr. Seuss's Horton Hears a Who. Similar premise, wouldn't you agree? One of my favorite books of all time. In fact, Dr. Seuss has penned a few on my "favorite books of all time" list. There's a lot of deep thinking in some of those books, like it or not. So, I have been thinking about time, space, the cosmos, and my place in it. This train of thought brought me to my rooftop sanctuary.

Wrapped up in a nice old blanket, wearing my version of winterwear, I ventured up to my private roof space. It was brisk, and uncomfortably cool. I pulled out a chair, and stared at the sky. It was crystal clear. I was alone, no Mr. Happy Vegan to explain the different constellations and planets. He looks at the sky and sees science. I look at the sky and see smoke and spirits. He fancies astronomy while I prefer astrology.

On that recent night on this very small island with the Milky Way splashed across the sky, I saw planets, stars, satellites, airplanes, stardust, the moon, light and dark. I felt like the most insignificant being in existence within that stillness. My mind eventually wandered back to Dr. Seuss's Horton. Maybe we all are a speck on a piece of dust after all, but Horton teaches us to respect the sanctity of all life.

I've been reading a blog written by a woman in Taiji, Japan right now. She is there witnessing and documenting the annual cetacean slaughter at a Japanese cove profiled in the movie aptly titled "The Cove." She is agonized by what she sees, but presses on every day to raise awareness. She knows this slaughter must stop, so many people know this must stop. She knows we're all connected. I thought about her place in the cosmos, and I know she is right where she belongs in this moment. Fighting for the future, fighting for sanity, refusing to give in or give up. My heart aches for her and the others there working to stop the killing. My heart breaks even more for the animals that are being killed there. Her blog is here http://acoveguardian.wordpress.com/

I may be a speck, as we all may be, but our actions matter to others seen and unseen. No matter the big picture, or the little picture, my rooftop visit communing with the cosmos reminds me that somehow we're connected. In the snow. On an island. In Japan, the ocean, the sky or somewhere else. Need proof, just look at the sky.

Oh My Gosh! Someone Else GETS It!

I wrote recently how I enjoy reading other people's blogs. There's some I read more faithfully than others, but almost without fail, I take something away after reading, I've learned something.

Such is the case with local writers as well. I read any local newspaper I can get my hands on, be it Upper, Middle, or Lower Keys, including Key West. Our hometown newspaper had me laughing out loud with the last 2 weeks worth of what is titled "drivel" in the News Barometer. I'm still laughing at the edition which essentially discussed "what we say" vs. "what we really think." Some parts of it made me think someone was inside my head, I swear it.

Why am I bringing this up today? Well, I read something on line which again made me think hooray, we are not alone in the crusade for environmental responsibility. Mr. Happy Vegan and I spend countless hours picking up trash. On the beach. On the street. In parking lots. In other people's yards. When I'm out running, if I pass someone's trash can and I see recycling mixed in with regular trash, I've been known to stop and sort it out. This never ending picking up of the trash is frustrating, and lonely. Frustrating because if those of us living and visiting these beautiful islands of the Florida Keys cannot "get" that trash blowing in the street ends up in water within about less than 15 minutes, then well, we're doomed. Lonely, because it so often feels like no one else cares.

Time to thank the Universe for reminding me others DO care. I'm providing a link for an article which appears in one of the local Keys papers. I love that someone out there cares enough to attempt to shame a litterbug into responsibility (unfortunately, the offender had no shame), but I still love that another environmental warrior did this. I love that the author is herself an environmental warrior; out there herself, picking up trash. Reminding us how it comes full circle very fast, and kills animal life. And, more than anything I love that she really owns her feelings (you'll see what I mean towards the end of the article). While perhaps publicly I'm not admitting it, maybe inside I feel the same way as she does. But... she's writing it. She owns it, and I love that!

Ready or not, here it is.

http://www.keysweekly.com/news_articles/view/stuff_that_styrofoam_right_down_your_throat/

Rocketman the Pirate

This is a picture of a local musician named Rocketman. He's sings. Plays his guitars. Plays the harmonica too. He's also the drummer for a local band called the "Florida Straits Band." Most times we see Rocketman playing at a place in Marathon called "Porky's." We go to Porky's for cold beer, french fries, salad, black beans & rice, and exceptionally friendly service. Porky's isn't very veg-friendly as far as variety, but we do go there for these few delights. We always plan our visits on nights Rocketman will be playing.

Rocketman the Pirate. That's his more formal name. He looks like a pirate, not too sure if you can tell from this photo. He laughs like a pirate, and talks like a pirate. He's a storyteller too, like any great musician really is. In between songs, he'll banter with the crowd, telling stories of celebrities he's met, funny experiences he's had, and interesting people he's met on the way. He's really great with little kids, although many of them are not too sure what to make of "the pirate" when they first meet him. He'll talk with them, make them relax and laugh...pose for photos, autograph small plastic pirate swords for the little ones, and give away his autographed picture. Rocketman will do all that, smiling because he loves it. His life has not always been easy, and he makes no bones about that. Yet, he carries on with his music, doing what he loves best. He's a true "Keys character."

I was driving back from Marathon one day in December and saw a sign on one of the bars that said "Get Well Soon Rocketman--We Miss You" which really shocked me. Get well soon? What? We had just seen Rocketman the week before, slipping in for a cold beer and my beans & rice. Upon doing some deeper digging, we learned that Rocketman had indeed fallen ill, and it was pretty serious. He is doing much better now. We've been told he's itching to get back on the stage, and says he'll be back playing as soon as he can hold that guitar.

We're looking forward to Rocketman's return, and have sent our well wishes as so many others have done that love him. He'll be back in due time, and we'll all be waiting. We know many of you have also enjoyed Rocketman and his music, and we ask you hold a good thought for him too. We miss him, his stories, and his music. Sure its always pretty sitting at the dock having a cold drink, but its just not the same without Rocketman the Pirate singing about life in these beautiful Florida Keys.

Get Out of Dodge!

Today it really sunk in that it's January. Hard to believe, because yesterday the temps here topped 80 degrees. Today they hovered at about the same mark. In fact, we have (gasp) turned the AC back on inside our living quarters. Had to do it, as discussed in prior posts, baking & humidity are not good friends.

I scanned the internet for weather news, and flipped through channels looking at various forecasts. This begs the question to anyone stuck in the cold zone who doesn't want to be there, what's it going to take for you to get the heck out of Dodge?! I see more snow forecast for many areas. Other places are still dealing with icing conditions, and v-e-r-y cold temperatures. Almost every joint on my body aches when I think of that weather and all the unfortunate souls trapped.

We're doing our part down here. As mentioned, we've moved our streaming web cam to capture the sunrises. Tune in about 7a-7:30am to see the incredible sight. Then, turn to your left (or right), look out your window, and contemplate your snow. After that, check your calendar for days off, go on line and check our availability. Book it. If you don't come here, go somewhere, anywhere, to save your sanity. Its only January, there's still a few more months of that's just wrong cold temperatures, and horrifying snow to come. I've lived that life. Winter in the cold & darkness. Counting the days to my next trip to Deer Run (yup, I really did that. I told you before, and I'm not kidding!)

I feel for ya, but you gotta help yourself before anyone else can help, you know? In the meantime, tomorrow the convertible is being sprung out of the garage. I'm dropping the top, and going for a ride. Its just too nice these past few days to let this go by, she's been begging for a date. In January. With the top down. Oh sure, I was so stir crazy in winter up north that I'd occasionally be pathetic enough to drive my car with the top down in January. But, the windows were always up, and the heat was always on (while I wore so many clothes I probably looked like the Michelin Tire Dude). Here and Now? Flip flops, a tank top and shorts. All with my trusty sunscreen at my side. Yup. Its definitely January in the Keys.

A Bed & Breakfast of Radical Inclusion

Time marches on. We're already heading into the tail end of January, pretty mind-boggling from where I sit. Let's catch up on a few things, and talk a bit, shall we?

Over the last few days, we've been interviewed by several media outlets, continued to meet wonderful guests from all over the world, had some soaking rains, moved our web cam, and live life in between.

We had a guest here who said she'd never seen such beautiful sunrises as at Deer Run, and suggested we move our web cam to show them to the world. We agree with her. What a great idea, so now check out the new location of the cam (thanks for the great suggestion Elaine!) Presently in our neck of the Earth, sunrise is just after 7am. Our cam will soon have a pan/zoom feature, and then we will be able to show sunsets too. I've been enjoying the new cam location as well. Usually I'm on the other side of the house cooking and baking at sunrise. Now, I duck into the office a few times through morning work to watch the cam stream. Its so beautiful.

The night before last, we had soaking rains, some of which carried over through the day. I heard reports that the rains broke an old record for the same date in Key West, while here on Big Pine I heard a report that we got 4 inches in some places. Very unusual for this time of year, typically this is referred to as the dry season, that's for a reason. South Florida is almost constantly dealing with drought conditions, the Keys are no different. With all that rain, we're still in drought conditions. It was nice for the garden, nice for the animals, and nice to have my car washed, thank you Universe. Now we're back to warm temperatures, today even has quite a touch of humidity added. As soon as I finish this post, I'm heading out for a run, looking forward to running in the heat.

Our friend Dr. Will Tuttle was interviewed by Erika Biddle yesterday afternoon at Key West's own KONK-AM. Both Mr. Happy Vegan and myself watched & listened live via computer. One of the things Dr. Tuttle said which really struck me was that veganism is a system of radical inclusion. Simply defined this statement essentially means that vegans consider all living creatures when making choices, not just their own selfish wants. Of all the ways to summarize what being vegan means to me, there probably are no more perfect words to be said. I then began to think about how I project myself to the outside world on this issue.

Recently, there's been media outlets interviewing us, some briefly, some at length. Most questions deal with the green lifestyle and business aspects, but inevitably talk will come to vegan food and lifestyle. Choosing a vegan lifestyle absolutely goes hand in hand with green living. I realize that some people may feel alienated by veganism. I believe that is mostly because it is misunderstood, as well as the fact that there is knowledge inside most of us that there are major problems with agri-business and the way animals are treated by humans, yet denial takes root when those issues cross our minds. Bringing conversation to veganism forces us to confront those facts. It can make people uncomfortable, yet that is no reason to deny truth and reality.

Looking back at my life so far, I am willing to admit that I am at my best when I am forced out of my comfort zone. It is at those times when I realize just exactly who I really am, and what I am really capable of. Not too long ago, I was listening to a military person speak. He said that most people think we do "our best" but really have no idea what "our best" is because we aren't often tested to our limits. I agree.

It is through education and knowledge that change begins. Deer Run strives to be a place of peace and encourages questions from anyone who guests here or not. We do our best to respond to all queries about environmental issues, including this compassionate lifestyle, and we will always do so. We at Deer Run consider our beautiful home a bed and breakfast of radical inclusion. We hope you do too.

Live Radio Interview 11/18/11

Ok, and wow. Things are really in high gear here at Deer Run, in a great and positive way. Although this post is very brief, it is important (aren't they all?!)

Tomorrow (Tuesday) January 18, at 2:00pm, Dr. Will Tuttle is the guest on The Eco-Centric View hosted by Erika Biddle. You can tune at http://www.konkam.com/ and listen live. I will be listening to the interview, and hope to learn something new. Put up some tea, have a piece of fruit, and let's listen together.

I've got a lot to post about, so I promise I'll be back at the keyboard tomorrow. In the meantime, I do hope you enjoy the show!