Tag: Florida

Breaking the Cycle

January 7, 2014 Brody No Comments

This article appeared in The St. Petersburg Times in September 1992:

A year ago, Rick J. ate garbage from trash bins behind an Orlando shopping center.

A cocaine addict and alcoholic, the 44-year-old Melbourne man had abandoned his wife, kids and job with the Internal Revenue Service for a life of petty crime.

An embezzler and thief, he was sentenced to prison. Like other inmates now in the Brooksville Drug Treatment Center, he committed crimes to feed his addiction.

Now, using an innovative approach, officials hope to break this cycle of crime and addiction.

At the Brooksville center, and in a similar program in Gainesville, inmates spend four to six months dealing with addiction and learning to become productive. Inmates must apply for the program, a more extensive and personal alternative than is offered at most prisons, where inmates get only a few hours in counseling.

If inmates succeed, by adhering to strict codes of conduct, they can get an early release.

“If the state didn’t have a center like this, I don’t think I’d make it,” said Rick J. during a group session. “I would not learn how to live life on life’s terms.”

The Naked Truth

January 7, 2014 Brody No Comments

This article appeared in The St. Petersburg Times in July 1996:

In the late 1930s, Tampa tax lawyer Ara Brubaker, son of a Pennsylvania Mennonite minister, invited friends to go skinny-dipping in a sparkling lake in central Pasco County.

So began Lake Como Club, the first nudist retreat in Land O’Lakes.

More than half a century later, an area once known for its citrus groves, lumber mills and cattle ranches has become a nudist mecca.

Land O’Lakes has two major clubs (with a third on the way) and two smaller hideaways.

The west Pasco community of Hudson is home to the Florida Naturist Park. Pasco has more clothing-optional facilities than any other Florida county, and is second only to Palm Springs, Calif., in the United States.

Tens of thousands of nudists swarm into town, contributing tourist tax dollars, eating in local restaurants and shopping in local stores.

And hundreds of permanent residents pay property taxes, enroll children in local schools and involve themselves in the community.

On Monday, the American Association of Nude Recreation kicks off National Nude Recreation Week. It’s the one time of year that nudists invite outsiders, or “cottontails,” to look behind the walls and determine if the lifestyle is right for them.

“It’s a matter of freedom,” said nudist Christie Musick, who lives in Paradise Lakes in Land O’Lakes. “You shed the constraints of clothing, take off the trappings of the outside world and no one cares whether you’re perfect or not. You’re not going to find many Cindy Crawfords out here.

“Most people look like your mother, your kids, your best friend, your next door neighbor, people you see at church.

“Just ordinary people.”

NaNoWriMo 2013: Knee Deep, Installment 5

November 12, 2013 Brody No Comments

“Therefore, let it be resolved that the City of Cypress Knee welcomes one and all to celebrate the commemoration of our one hundred and sixty-seventh anniversary during Founder’s Day Weekend.”

Adelaide Spruce, chair of the city council, set the proclamation aside and then looked toward the other five present members of the board.

“Do I hear a motion to approve this proclamation?” she asked.

NaNoWriMo, Tales from Cypress Knee

Tales from Cypress Knee 2: Punching Shaun

November 3, 2013November 3, 2013 Brody No Comments

I didn’t punch Shaun Bradley for using me to manipulate Randy.

But I did write an angry letter. Angry for me, at least. I was polite, but firm, explaining that I didn’t appreciate how the process had worked. Toward the end, though, I dropped the gauntlet:

“I’m left with the clear indication that I don’t have any likely opportunities for advancement in the near future. Under the circumstances, I may need to seek employment elsewhere.”

I showed a printed copy to my wife.

“I don’t know about this,” she said.

“I have to let him know how I feel,” I said.

“It’ll make him mad,” she said.

“I’m mad.”

“Yes, but he’s your boss. He can fire you.”

Tales from Cypress Knee