The Season begins in Venice, Florida with Dinner at Sharky's with Friends

John and Stan are back from Ohio for the Winter, Elaine (from Rhode Island) is visiting my new friend Joanie (recently moved here from Boston) and the five of us met at Sharky's for dinner last night. Although it was a super windy evening, and a bit cool too, being by the sand and surf with good food and friends was a nice way to kick off The Season in Venice. After dinner we walked out on the pier for the sunset, then met a parrot and a baby raccoon.
Click on the picture for slide show of the whole evening.

   

Magical Egret pays a visit to Heartful Art

While on the phone with my agent yesterday, this beautiful creature paid us a visit. It followed my voice from room to room as I went to find my camera. Even though our studios are in a bird sanctuary and we see many lovely birds in flight and on the ground here, the visit from this egret was particularly magical.

Ted Andrew's "Animal Speak" includes egrets in the chapter on herons, saying the "waders" are a group of birds who are "symbols of balance, and they represent an ability to progress and evolve." Also, heron people go deeper in their exploration of life, must be able to stand on their own, and follow their own path, without the pressure to keep up with others.

Whatever this bird was communicating to me, whether expecting food or delivering symbolic information, I accept the experience as magical and for a few moments in time, this bird and I were one. Sharing the magic. Loving the diversity of life.  - RV

Survey and Bird Parade

While browsing my daughter's Facebook page, I noticed her post from last week: "National survey reveals hopes and fears. When asked what are the most vital issues today Americans said: "solve unemployment", "end government extravagance", and "keep us out of war". This from a newspaper dated Dec. 15, 1935 found in the walls of my house when I remodeled."

Interesting, eh?

Meanwhile, I went out to get the mail this afternoon and saw a bird parade on my street.

First the Sand Hill Cranes, then a flock of Ibis.