Ty, at the Grand Prix

Ty was born in Orlando and works in disaster relief as a FEMA contractor, interspersed with food services various special events around the Country - this week the Grand Prix of St Pete. He does a lot of driving, food service and as a cook. He's worked disasters in Texas, NY, NC and "too many places in Florida to count"

Patrick

Nice smile! We stopped to talk met at this exhibit at Hirschorn Museum. Patrick is from Westcott, MA, visiting DC with his family. When I mentioned Florida, he said "oh, I was just in Florida!" His mom had just bought a house in Venice! Since this was his first visit to Florida he was unfamiliar with the area, other than the way to the beach!

We both agreed the exhibits were wonderful, though disappointed that the outdoor sculpture garden was mid-way though renovation - that "now looks in jeopardy since funds were canceled" he reported

Shayna, Ybor City

Ybor is busy at all hours of the day and especially at night into the early morning hours. Shayna is the hostess for Gaspars Grotto and was out front feeding and talking to the chickens that roam the street. The each have names and are well taken care of. She has a 6 year old daughter so finds this job is perfect since she starts at 9a and is off by 2pm, in time to get her daughter from school.

Her father is a Haitian refugee and was just sent back to Haiti, "but it's okay, I get to speak to him every day." She has a twin sister, Paula, since both were born here, they are American citizens.

Richard

Richard was hot and sweaty when he arrived at Taylor Park returning from Dunedin. He had left earlier in the morning taking the Pinellas Trail for the 10 mile journey - each way. He did have a relatively new electric bike so it made the trip less daunting. One of the pedals on the bike broke when he got there. Fortunately there was a bicycle shop next to the trail and he was able to have the pedal replaced.

Since he has a three-wheeled bike he needs help loading it into the back of his car. Guess what we bartered for?

Al

He is 53 years old and has worked for Lundy Services for over 10 years. With 3 grown kids and 3 grandchildren, he lives in Lexington, KY, where his mother lives and Lundy is based.

He is a happy guy who works hard and likes what he does.

Bob R.

Bob had a very unusual antenna on his car. I asked “if he was a HAM radio operator?” Bob, "yup, 65 years". (He’s 84!)

He lives in a condo - no antenna’s allowed. His rig is in his car where he could travel to different locations for best reception. A good location has many criteria, weather, time of day, sunspots, and more. Also, today’s equipment is much smaller and more advanced than what he grew up with.

You communicate the farthest using morse code, which he prefers, and has talked regularly with folks as far away as China.

Jonathan L., black-headed seagull

He was traveling with his squabble, (specieism alert! - hard-to-tell though, they all look the same), north to eastern Canada .

At first Jonathan was rather aloof and stand-offish. After warming to my presence he informed me they were of the genus Chroicocephallusa, one of the 10 species moved from Larus genera to differentiate them from the great black-headed gull. Jonathan added, with a hint of disdain, that the ornithological authorities, (homo sapiens !), have only recently become aware of the differences in the species. Then, with a "hi-yo SIL-verrr.", off they went.

Steve

Steve was born right here in Pinellas Park and hasn’t wandered more than 10 miles.

When he was a kid, his parents bought the first house built in a small development and he’s lived there his whole life. His family has all died, the house was needing a lot of expensive repairs, he wanted to retire, so 3 years ago he decided to sell and moved to a small apartment here in Largo.

The house appreciated significantly and he put the princely sum in the bank. His social security pays the rent, cigarettes, food and utilities. He works about 6 hours a week at the dollar store. He’s unsure about what he’s going to do with the money. I suggested he travel… he didn’t seem to think much of the idea.

Even

Even lives in Lancaster, PA, is married with 4 kids including his oldest boy, who is adopted, and 3 girls, the youngest is 6. He is temporarily living in Fresno, Ohio and soon to be back home.

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Agreeable Stranger III