SOAKING IT UP …. from the Porch

So, I’ve been spending a little time in the Sunshine State — thawing out while soaking up rays, spending a little time at baseball’s spring training, seeing some family, having some visitors.  It’s been quite a beautiful time for me with the most stressful decision I have to make is “which bathing suit should I wear today”.

Most of my friends and family know that I can’t seem to find my way out of a window envelope, so I’ve acquired some idiot proof directions to find my way around this new little world we are creating for ourselves.  While my husband drives, though, I find my eyes wandering out the side window views when I should be paying attention …. the downfall of “going for a ride”.

I remember the very first time I saw this  stuff hanging from the trees and wondered what it was.  I was in Charleston, SC, at the time — visiting a friend of a friend.  I was totally fascinated with these ZZ-Tops kinda wispy thingys and thought that they were so pretty — so gentile — so southern.  I was told that it is called “Spanish Moss”, a flowering plant that grows on large trees like the Southern Live Oak.  We have tons of these trees in front of our condo — and some of them do bear equally tons of this beard lichen.  The plant is closely associated with southern gothic imagery and is prolific in our southern states since it just loves the humid environment.  In the late 19th century, the moss was even introduced to Hawaii, where it quickly became a product used in lei weaving.  As an ornamental flowering plant, it is also referred to as Peli’s Hair, after the ancient volcano goddess, Peli (if you ever go to Hawaii, leave all of the lava rocks there … Peli doesn’t like it to be removed from her realm).

While Spanish Moss rarely kills the host trees, it does slow the growth and also increases wind resistance (not a good thing during hurricane season, right?).  The moss also plays hosts to some critters — who woulda’ thought that?? — like a jumping spider, red chiggers, and even small bat thingys — eeewwwww!!!  Spanish Moss is used in many ways other than to dazzle the eye as it sways in the warm tropical breezes.  It has been used as building insulation, mulch, and packing material.  It is collected today for use in various arts and crafts projects and bedding for flower gardens.  It has also been used as stuffing for voodoo dolls — like the bugs and spiders aren’t enough eewwww-iness — :).  In the 1900’s, it was used as padding for car seats and way back in 1939, over 10,000 tons of it was processed for use in as stuffing for mattresses.

Another really cool — but sometimes dangerous thing — that I’ve seen in the area are waterspouts.  These are pretty awesome to watch, unless of course, you are parasailing and one happens to chase you and the boat into shore.  I have actually seen that happen at Sheppard’s on the beach in Clearwater.  We were having a birthday celebration a few years back for Luscious Leo when all of a sudden I heard a bunch of people shouting, “Look at that!”  At first, I didn’t see what they were talking about.  The day was overcast and the sky was full of heavy, low-hanging clouds.  But then there was a slight that just made my blood run cold.  Here was a boat going hell-bent for election across the water as the crew was frantically reeling in a para-sailer — with the water-spout right on their tail!!  I was so caught up in the drama and excitement of the moment, I don’t remember if I snapped a photo or not. But I did manage to see a photo of a rather huge spout over the Baybridge last spring — and it is pretty impressive.

During our travels here — and with the directional assistance of David and Marlene — I discovered a sweet little place that I’ve visited on many occasions.  It’s the Tarpon Springs sponge docks .. an avenue that is filled on both sides of the street with little shops and restaurants.  It is actually a Greek village and they specialized in sponge fishing.  When our youngest son and his family spent vacation time with us, we went to Tarpon Springs for a day of shopping, sight-seeing, and eating.  We went on a little cruise and were rewarded with sights of amazing boats along with sea birds and — my favorite — dolphins frolicking in our wake.  Just recently, we went back to the village with friends who were visiting to escape the frozen tundra of New Jersey. Lynn and Greg so enjoyed the day that they couldn’t stop talking about it — the boats, the shopping, the totally fun atmosphere of the place.  It sounds like this will be a repeat on their next visit — 🙂

I’ve learned over the years that Tarpon Springs is not just a pretty face.  The village has the highest population of Greek Americans in the entire United States — as if evidenced by the numerous restaurants along the way.  My very favorite is Hellas — and their oh, so yummy lemon/chicken soup — 🙂  The area began as a summer vacation spot — and the first visitors spotted tarpon jumping out of the waters, hence the name of Tarpon Springs.

The first Greek immigrants began arriving in the 1800’s in response to a growing sponge fishing industry.  Many worked as divers to harvest the sponges for sale.  By 1905, newer techniques for diving were introduced and many divers from Greece were actively recruited.  By the 1930’s, the industry was generating millions of dollars a year.  In 1953, a movie which depicted sponge divers was made in Tarpon Springs called “Beneath the 12-mile Reef” and starred a very young Robert Wagner (who we now affectionately know as Mr. Dinozza).

In 1947, a red tide wiped out the sponge beds.  The village turned to shrimp fishing — and fishing for dollars as well by turning the main street in a new tourist attraction. Today, the sponge docks themselves are loaded with shops.  Most of the sponges there are imported, but you can still get “fresh caught” sponges in certain areas of the docks.  I bought a couple home as gifts one year to a few of my girlfriends and they couldn’t love them enough!  This past Christmas, I gave Lynn not only sponges — but sponges with fragrant bar soaps attached (LOVE Lori’s!)

Tarpon Springs is known for its very elaborate religious celebrations.  These are hosted by St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.  As part of the January 6th Epiphany, the celebrations include the blessing of the boats, the waters, and also youth who dive in search of a cross.  In 2006, the 100th anniversary of the Tarpon Springs celebrations, Bartholomew, the Patriarch of Constantinople (considered “first among equals”) presided over the ceremonies that day.  It was one of the very few visits to the United States by an Ecumenical Patriarch.

After spending the day in Tarpon Springs, we headed back home to our little southern palace.  Off came the shoes, out came the frozen cocktails, and we settled in to just chill for a few hours.  We had made plans to go to Columbia — and most awesome eatery on Sand Key right near Clearwater Beach for dinner.  This great restaurant is famous for its 1905 salad.  What??? A salad???  Well, you’ve gotta taste this to believe it!  The secret is in the dressing — and there are so many layers of flavors: garlic, lemon, worcestershire sauce, olives!! — your taste buds truly do the happy dance while eating this great salad — 🙂

I’ve spent a lot of time just soaking up our new area .. the baseball, the weather, the flora and fauna and sharing it with good friends and family — and you know what? Life IS good — 🙂

Lynn and Greg — 1st game of Spring Training — Phillies

Our wonderful waiter at Columbia, creating our 1905 salad — yum!

In memory of the sponge divers of Tarpon Springs