The Reef aglow, by night.Our imaginary staff of thousands works heroically, night and day, to provide any and all necessary magic in our small green slice of Miami, and then some. Alan's particular genius (or one of them) is in landscape lighting, and his pursuit of beauty in that arena is unceasing and unparalleled. Part of his craft is in "covering his tracks," creating a luminous effect that somehow seems strangely natural. It is easy to forget that it was not always so.
The Cottage, about the time Alan and I met.In this role of lightbearer he is most definitely in hot pursuit of his own artistic quest, and can follow no map. Yet he somehow always manages to bring back with him yet another jewel of a star back down to this troubled Earth, and the night seems glad for it. Only another small light in the darkness near the heart of this sprawling city, perhaps, one more unlikely drop of rich color from some greater rainbow.
But if that small light brings even a moment of delight to some weary traveler, or looks just right to a child far away from home who needs a little magic to hold on to, then it has well served its purpose.
Alan in his Christmas best.
Sometimes, a little light can make all the difference. Consider this hunk of stone that decorates the foot of the entry garden, just inside the Gate. A friend with a sharp eye who lives in the historic Bayshore Section of Miami (NE Miami, along the Biscayne corridor) chanced upon it and salvaged the piece from a jetty on to which it had been unceremoniously thrust decades ago:
It turns out to be an architectural rarity in a place with scant regard for its own history: the remains of a City park bench most likely enjoyed in the 1910's, bearing the original municipal logo. Not until darkness falls does it really reveal itself:
God knows, we all need the right lighting, sometimes...
The lighting and its focus are constantly changing, for that is Alan's nature, and it is probably wise to avoid attachment to any particular configuration. That lesson does not come easily for me. Yet what I've learned time and again, is that "this is only the best it has been, so far." There is an inherent excitement to the new, and it always get richer, more fantastical, and, in some cases, simpler. Yet your breath may be taken away, and more than once.
Front Door, Cottage with Wind Chimes and Stars.(For larger view, click on image. Return to page via back arrow.)
At least, we hope so.
Inside Front Gate, Well Past Bedtime.Sweet dreams.
