Author: d.j. posner

Leaping Lizard Pearl Bailey

It’s Saturday morning and a light rain is falling, so I thought it a great time to get some laundry done. I gathered everything up and headed to the garage. In Florida, it is common for the washer/dryer to be located outside the walls of the main living space – you will commonly find them in garages, carports, porches, even outside in a protective shed. That’s just the way it is down South.

I was successful in placing the first load in the machine and returned to the house for other morning chores. Pearl Bailey was waiting for her morning kibble and Ella was not far behind even though still upstairs with the Professor.

A short while later, I returned to the washer to begin the switch routine. When I opened the lid I let out a startled scream and Pearl Bailey came running. There was a lizard in the washing machine! And, he apparently survived the agitator. Well, what happened next was unbelievable. Pearl Bailey, presumably under the impression her ‘meal ticket’ was being murdered, raced into the garage where I was standing and the lizard leaped from the washer down onto Pearl Bailey’s back. PB leaped around like a bucking bronco, knocking the laundry basket over and nearly trampling me trying to get the hell out of Dodge. This squirming, gyrating pirouette went on for what seemed like minutes when the lizard leaped off and onto the Professor’s prized possession – his Tesla! I caught Pearl Bailey by her collar in mid-leap and averted her contact with the car or the offending lizard. We were both panting, and I don’t know about Pearl Bailey, but my heart was certainly pumping!

Sanity having been restored and the laundry successful switched, PB and I went back into the house to see if the Professor was ready for his coffee. I can tell you one thing, I was certainly ready for a second cup! Now, if you think I was going to share this little incident with the Professor over breakfast, you would be dead wrong! This little episode will be going down as unknown until eternity!

So that’s a Saturday morning down here on the Suncoast, folks! I swear, “you can’t make this sh*t up!”

Or can you?

Life From Under a Tree

The end of the week is the perfect time to take a break and immerse oneself in the magnificence of our universe. Sitting under a Sea Grape tree delivers just the right mindset for a Friday afternoon. Once I nestled in, I began thinking about human decency and what it means to live by those standards.

This is a story about decency. Simply put, most of us want to be better, want to deepen our ways of spiritual living, degree by degree. There is evidence of the significant rewards to be realized for human kindness.

Merriam-Webster defines decency as ‘…being marked by moral integrity, kindness & goodwill…’ I like to think of myself and others around me as being hard-working decent folks, but I believe we need to go deeper than just our immediate circle of contacts. We are living in difficult times. Decency is not just arms-length deep anymore. Indecency has now risen to a national level. The absence of honesty, goodwill and thoughtfulness is rampant. The spiritual state of humanity in our society has become very poor.

Now, I do not expect to unravel these monumental issues we face as I sit quietly this Friday afternoon in the shade of a palm tree, but I do hope to open up the minds and hearts of others so that more respectable behavior can abound.

My prescription ~ live small but see big.

Rain On My Parade

More rain predicted for the Suncoast late this afternoon, and I must tell you all this deluge is leading to my boredom. Being bored, to me, is a near-death occurrence. I would rather walk barefoot on hot coals than let boredom settle in on me!

With the sun shining through the clouds that are rolling in, I felt safe in unleashing the hounds. All was well down in Shangri-La for Pearl Bailey and Ella, until it wasn’t. Even though a good deal of quiet time passed without any disturbance, I gave it little concern. Big mistake.

Deciding to check on my brood, I began the ‘calling-to-come-in’ routine. I call this act my ‘parade of stars’ – like a ringleader, I call out and my animals line up! (Hey, c’mon…I do live in a circus town after all.)

My first try produced a result, only it was not the particular result I was expecting. Pearl Bailey, in all her glory, came sauntering in looking like she was auditioning for the lead in Phantom of the Opera. And, did I mention she was quite proud of herself?

I guess in a way, I can’t blame her; maybe – just maybe – she has a thing for boredom also! Either way, this gal sure knows how to keep herself entertained, that’s for sure!

Fear Is A Liar

Pearl Bailey with PMB (4 mos and 4 year respectively!)


Whenever I hear the saying, ‘fear is a liar’, it always makes me pause to ponder.  I get that fear is telling you to be afraid although there is nothing to fear.  I think, however, that this mantra goes deeper.

I received a video text message from my granddaughter yesterday morning.  PMB is ten but going on twenty-eight, she is the most sturdy and fearless child that I have ever known.  Plus she’s got the work-ethic of a tyrant; she never lets up until she reaches the finish line.  She is my hero.

Her voice on the video asked me “Can you come to my house tomorrow?”  Now, mind you, her house and my house are 1,000 miles apart.  She continued her dialogue, playing to the camera as only a seasoned veteran can do; her voice was telling me “I’m having an MRI tomorrow.”    My goodness.   I knew that this was coming up – as a precaution to an injury in her Dance Cheer sport.  The Doc said, “Good idea to get a picture”.

We texted back and forth for a few, and then the day got busy and it was already tomorrow. I was anxious to hear something.  I didn’t have to wait long.  I opened up FB and the first thing I saw was her beautiful face boasting a courageous smile, two thumbs up, looking sassy and victorious. Wrapped around each wrist were layer-bracelets spelling out “Fear Is A Liar”.  I knew then and there she had made them to wear when she went to face-to-face with the demon MRI machine.  I reached her mother later, she confirmed it true.

I thought about this little warrior slaying her MRI dragon, and the message that her bracelets spelled out, and, I realized her display of courage was not the absence of fear, but her triumph over it.  So, fear is a liar, I get it now!

Faith, Hope and Charity

 I chose this photo of the Professor because I thought it so representative of the virtue Hope. By his posture at the water’s edge, arms extended reaching skyward unaware of the camera, he is demonstrating Hope.

The building blocks of Faith, Hope and Charity are like a three-legged stool. They are the three great virtues of humanity. Some have written that the word or action of Charity is the greatest of the three. I agree, yet, I can clearly see that all three are interchangeable. To begin ~ planting the seeds of Faith within one’s soul nurtures the possibility of Hope. When these two mesh together and guide us, we become open to the qualities of Charity which is to be in service to others and thus implanting your heart with pure love.

I believe this world needs now, more than ever, an infusion of Charity into our humanity. Some ugly swords of late have placed this call upon my heart. I have Faith in all of my fellow followers that we will walk together through these difficult times. I have Hope that our souls will be anchored in a safe harbor as the storm passes us by. And, I have a call to Charity for all of us as Charity upholds and purifies our ability to love. Through this endeavor, we find our way to divine Love and realize the fruits of these actions: joy, peace, and harmony.

Find a way to deliver some form of Charity today, and tomorrow too! No amount is insignificant.

Seeking Out Her Tormentor…

Our island is graced with age-old oaks and palm trees.   There is a certain squirrel that lives in the Live Oaks that wind around our property. This squirrel is Pearl Bailey’s nemesis.

Most squirrels pay no mind to silly dogs, but this squirrel…well; let’s just say he is cunning and of a devious nature. It is clear to me from my observation that this fella’ is out to torment Pearl Bailey on any given opportunity presented to him. I have heard him squawking and witnessed him running the entire fence rail with Pearl Bailey frantic hot on his heels! I have seen him leap from palm to palm while seemingly calling to Pearl Bailey, fueling her anguish! This dude is a real trickster.

I watched from the screen porch today as their dramatic performance unfolded. I took these shots of Pearl Bailey smoking him out…and had some fun in the processing of the photos!

Really folks, this is live entertainment at its finest!

A Sobering Morning…

It is hard to find the words when you wake to hear of not one, but two, senseless acts of random murder. Pearl Bailey and I are usually the first to wake on Sunday morning. This morning was no different. We descended the stairs at the same time, and as I stumbled to make coffee, Pearl Bailey took to her outside domain to do her business.

Once each task had been completed, we both settled on the sofa as I switched on the morning news. I somberly absorbed the account of two different cities under siege from the rampage by white nationals, my hand placed over my mouth most of the time while listening.

As I spoke out loud to the TV in anguish and disgust, I noticed Pearl Bailey listening intently. Her eyes were transfixed on the screen. She was definitely picking up vibrations from my shivers. It was a special moment that we shared. And, I am glad she was the spirit with me in that very sobering hour.

Hoorah! The Sun’s Out!

For the love of God!  This is how I found her this morning.  Pearl Bailey in all her glory. But I cannot blame her, the sun is shining for the first time in ‘like-forever’, and it is proving to be a glorious day indeed.

Southwest Florida’s rainy season is throughout the summer months. It is customarily referred to as Hurricane Season, but if you are a Floridian or even a transplant, you never refer to it that way.

We have had a slew of sloppy days lately, so the sunshine rousting us this morning was a sight to see!  Waking up in a good mood is so propelling.  You can’t help but grin ear-to-ear when the sunshine returns after a long hiatus.  Pearl Bailey apparently was on the same wave-length, I guess we vibe off of each other.  Seeing her in her merriment just left me chuckling.  What a great way to start the day!  Happy Saturday!

Finding My Heart After the Closing Bell….

Today started off easy. That’s the kind of Friday I like the most, the end of the work week withdrawing with dignity as the sweet anticipation of the weekend enters my brain. Since this grace was so well presented to me, I took it as that..a gift. So, I picked up my beach chair and headed to Little Beach to give thanks for the day and the week.

While sitting and contemplating, I knew that I had done good things this week. In the hours that I worked, I had given good service and advice to my clients. I had helped someone I knew was in need by completing a pro-bono project for them. I dug in my pocket and made a small contribution to a school that opens their doors to refugee children, and I reached out to others to do the same. I have provided a listening ear to friends who needed to be heard. I have offered smiles where ever I went, and even had a few returned! I practiced patience and have been successful in remaining cheerful. I have slept well knowing these small acts of kindness have been realized.

I am sending out this message in hopes that you, too, will contemplate on your successes this week and pride yourselves on the small ways you made a difference. It is so vitally true that small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can change the world!

As you conclude your Monday through Friday responsibilities and ease into the week’s end, I wish you all fair winds and following seas!

Mama Said To Make Your Bed!

I recall an often heard refrain from my youth. Mama would say,”Make your bed!” I always complied. To this day, I make my bed upon rising, unless of course I am not the first one up, then the Professor makes the bed. (I gave him good home training on this one!)

Why am I telling you all this? Because, as evidenced by the attached photo, Pearl Bailey, apparently believes that beds needn’t be made at all.  For any afternoon that I go upstairs to retrieve something, she beats me up the steps, and poses smiling, seemingly satisfied with the newly arranged and disheveled  bed coverings.

She doesn’t even look remorseful, does she?

Demon girl! Mama would definitely not approve!