By Nanette Wiser
WORDS OF JOY “Hi-Test At High Tide” honors R.E. Olds, the founder of Oldsmar, and celebrates the fantastical world of the fishing pier at R.E. Olds Park. The mermaid inhabitant travels in her early Oldsmobile helped by the manatee, surrounded by some of the fish that call the waters of Oldsmar home: in order of appearance, sheepshead, mangrove snapper, and snook. (BTW, if you’re ever fishing off the pier and catch the mermaid, please release her.)
This is one of many fantastic illustrations from local artist and educator Pamela Joy Trow. Pamela shares many stories about local history in addition to her transformational images of nature, mermaids, and stories of hope in her cards, prints and other merchandise available at www.pamelajoytrow.
PLAY OUTDOORS Fitness is fun and this is the perfect time of year to play outside in Paradise. Plan a walk with friends with Preserve The Burg around downtown to see all the murals, Florida Botanical Gardens or the Pinellas Trail. Go birdwatching and hike at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Brooker Creek Preserve or Weedon Island. Water aerobics at local Y and community rec centers (St. Pete Beach) or outdoors yoga improve health and flexibility. Don’t have a boat? You can go sailing with Suncoast Sailing or check out dolphins with Charter Finders from the Cambria Hotel (where the new Tiki Docks resto/bar will be). Play Paradise on local golf courses in Largo and Treasure Island. Or take a guided eco-tour with Walk on Water Pedalboard.
CLIMATE ANXIETY Mother Nature is having a meltdown, literally. From mudslides and floods in California to extreme heat in Florida, we don’t sleep as well worrying about our future. How do we manage these feelings of worry and helplessness? First, don’t let anyone minimize your feelings about this issue and if you need to, take a news fast. Make a list of what you can control in your home and neighborhood, then become an advocate for climate change. Reduce your carbon footprint, live more sustainably, recycle more, buy less and do something every week to support your climate change to-do list. Walk to the store. Pick up garbage on your beach walk. Or work for a political candidate who makes climate a priority. You’re not alone. Join a group such as Tampa Bay Watch who share your feelings and values. It’s a real mental health condition that can take time to address, according to Portland, Oregon based environmental psychologist Thomas Doherty. A great resource? www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator