Bonnie is a free spirit. We met her soon after we moved from Naples some nine years ago. She was raised in NY and her family relocated to Naples in the 70's. But Naples for all its beauty was not her style and she opted for the Old Florida life style of Fort Myers Beach some 25 years ago.It was pretty wild then. Now its party wild partly conservative.
Her garden shows part of that laiser faire attitude. No pesticides there.Every plant is let in its natural environment. Some years the bougainvilleas, banana trees, buttonwoods were so grown and palms where so high and wild that only part for the home could be seen from the street.
We have been invited numerous times to barbecues and open fires ( with permits!) in her back yard with her boy friend, another full fledged eccentric with a degree in forestry who shares with her that love of nature. They were "green"before it was either fashionable or main stream.
I recall many conversation regarding pesticides which mess up our water tables and Estero Bay, the toxic marine paints used on to many watercraft's and of course their unassary overuse of gas and oil. He is also a bottomless source of information regarding the Florida marine life and nature.
They always have great wines from South Africa which does not hurt. Lately though she decided to trim down that wild garden. Probably because there was no room to walk around. Now its still wild for the new comer and she is experimenting with new plants.Mostly indigenous.
She has lived in Florida so long that she never found it necessary to have central AC. Luckily the house has a nice cross-breeze from the lanai to the back ( original double hung wooden windows !) lately they went on another of their nature escapade, camping in the open wildness of the Everglades, then before that they sailed to Key West in his man made Hawaiian sail boat and came back with some crazy stories of their adventures caught in some heavy rains and toasting a few rum drinks.
She recently put that fence up as she was tired of looking at that sad plastic picket fence the neighbour has had for to many years.An eye sore for sure.
These days one is able to walk around the house through the paths.Something which we couldn't years past.I think she enjoys having more room. Of course she may let these plants grow again to much. She is not worried.
I recall another conversation we has with her regarding concrete drive ways,immaculate lawns and well designed gardens. That is not her style. She barely accepts the fact that we have some river rocks around the front of our home which embraces an island of plants and trees. That is somewhat acceptable in her book. Surely our garden is not immaculate!
Under is the front of her 1930's cottage.As our home was build during the same years we both have been approached by the Historical Society of Fort Myers as to make our homes historical. We both declined but it was nice to be offered. Bonnie certainly will not want to be told what she can and cannot do with her home!
bellow her bougainvilleas which I don't think I have ever seen her trim. Maybe her boyfriend does at times. Even free spirited people have honey does.
LLoyd Nichols
Real Estate Network Services
Active Rain Blog: http://activerain.com/blogs/lloydn
Website: http://www.mlsouthwestfloridahomes.com/
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