Sea turtle nesting runs annually from March through September. Every morning dedicated volunteers and trained biologists, from the Marine Life Center in Juno, survey the beach to track and record leatherback, green and loggerhead turtles that come ashore.

They also incorporate a nest excavation program. Following Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s strict regulations and protocols on egg excavation, the biologists hand dig into nest until they reach “the clutch”. Each clutch contains anywhere from 80-150 eggs.

Once reached, the biologists sort eggs to determine nest productivity and hatchling success. Hatchlings found are brought back to the Center for a few days before released.

If you are looking to calm your mind, feel present and enjoy the glorious peace of morning, rise early and witness a sunrise. The benefits are immeasurable.

RAR and DS painting, Self Portrait with Bonito, 1941

Frida Kahlo was an artist that never sold a printing in her lifetime. She had a volatile marriage with the famous painter, Diego Rivera. Kahlo also suffered lifelong health problems. She contracted polio at six years of age 6. It is also believed she had spina bifida, a congenital condition that affected her leg and spinal development.

At 18 years of age, Kahlo was involved in a bus accident that broke her spine, ribs, pelvis and fractured her right leg and crushed her foot. She was immobile for three months and started painting. She had to undergo 35 surgeries.

Kahlo is known for saying "I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best".

Of her 143 portraits, 53 are self portraits.

May 2013

The beaches from Juno to Jupiter provide critical nesting, foraging and developmental habitat for threatened and endangered sea turtles and the numbers prove it. From May to August, these massive reptiles have been active along the coastline.

August 2013

August 11 and 12, 2013 afternoon–RAR and DS painting Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh.

Van Gogh believed that in order to be a great painter you had to first master drawing and then you work with color. Over the years, Van Gogh clearly mastered drawing and added more color. In time, one of the most recognizable aspects of a Van Gogh painting was the bold use of color.

Van Gogh made seven paintings of sunflowers in a vase and three of single sunflowers. They are fun and humbling to paint.

Like to a lonely dragon, that his fenne. Shakespeare

Coriolanus, Carlin Park Amphitheater, Saturday, July 20, 2013

Under a rose-colored sky, Coriolanus, a tragedy by William Shakespeare written between 1605 and 1608 was performed in Carlin Park. The play is based on the life of the Roman leader Caius Marcius Coriolanus. Coriolanus is a feared Roman General and at odds with Rome and its citizens and pushed by his controlling mother to seek leadership.

When the public does not support him, Coriolanus’s anger prompts a riot and he is expelled from Rome. Coriolanus allies himself with his sworn enemy Tullus to take revenge on the city.

It is a tragic tale of power, control and revenge–typically Shakespeare.

Jupiter, FL –Click below for live footage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNT4rFCodwE

It tastes and smells like Thanksgiving in July.

4 lb. large Yukon Gold potatoes, unpeeled
and preferably organic, scrubbed
8 Tbs. (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 leeks, white and light green portions,
finely chopped and rinsed well
1 cup sour cream, at room temperature
1 cup milk, heated to a simmer
1⁄2 tsp. salt, plus more, to taste
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper, plus more, to taste

Directions:
Cut the potatoes into large, uniform chunks. Put the potatoes in a large saucepan and add water to cover and a generous pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, cover partially and cook the potatoes, stirring once or twice, until they are very tender, about 40 minutes. Drain.

Meanwhile, in a fry pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the leeks, cover and cook, stirring once or twice, until tender and lightly browned, 12 to 15 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.

Return the potatoes to the saucepan and place the pan over low heat. Using a potato masher, mash the potatoes thoroughly. Stir in the leeks and their buttery juices. Add the sour cream and stir well. Add the hot milk, the 1/2 tsp. salt and the 1 tsp. pepper and stir vigorously until light and fluffy.

Remove the pan from the heat. Taste and adjust the seasonings with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Serves 8 to 10.

Williams-Sonoma Recipe

Blue, pink, yellow and orange transform with the first light of day. July 21, 2013–Juno Pier