This was my Mother......

Mae Lucille Cortese Tarracino.  I love this picture, and I'm sure fans of Capt. Tony's will recognize that particular fish!  I'm not sure what year this was, but I believe in was late 50's, early 60's.  Daddy always loved strong women, and my Mom was quite the go-getter, always looking for ways to promote the business, would you believe they drove this car all the way cross country?  Then again, if you knew my Dad you would know that was something they were up for. Thier determination amazes and inspires me.  What a life. 

Smiles,
XO 

Toni

In my job as a Concierge, the #1 thing that people really, REALLY want is a perfect Sunset, the ultimate Key West Experience, that they have heard so much about,

Or they have seen pictures of........

It's that ultimate souvenier

To take back up North and treasure....

And remember Key West by. But...unfortunately, sometimes it just doesn't work out.....

It may rain (!) Or clouds may be in the way.....

So this is for all of you, several Key West Sunsets.  Either to see for the first time or to remember yours by.

Hopefully one day I can catch a "Green Flash", you can think of me here working on it for you till the next time you can come visit us.

Smiles,
XO
Toni

I love this picture of Daddy.  I apologize for the condition of the photo, but on the other hand I like it just the way it is.  It is rough and salty, just like he was, yet the humor and love just shines through his eyes.

I would say for me, and I'm pretty sure my sisters and brothers from the first few "batches", this is one of the ways I remember him best.  We spent so much time on the boat with him, no babysitters back then, Daddy always loved being surrounded by kids.  His, or for that matter anyones kids, all kids were allowed on the boat for free -  pretty much anytime.  He would put them to work, and pay with bologna sandwiches and Coca Cola's.

If you look closely at the picture of our boat the Greyhound above you can just see my little head peering over the railing, just to the right of Daddy's picture.  The gentleman who was kind enough  to bring me this picture was one of the many Navy men stationed here that used  to come out fishing with us often.  I was so impressed that we would actually be remembered so fondly so many years later, and that someone would make the effort to actually bring me a picture, along with wonderful stories (!) from those days.....but then Daddy had that effect on people.

Thank you to the Gentleman that shared the picture with me, and as always, Thank you Daddy!

Smiles,
XO
Toni

This was our little Shrimp Boat - The Marine Vessel (MV) Little Toni.  Isn't she cute?

And this is My Captain, Captain Tom, painting her up

Unfortunately, even though Tom is very capable doing all of the work himself from electrical work to sewing shrimp net......

We had to give up our dream.  Imports, regulations, the economy, all those things were a tide we just couldn't overcome.

But every cloud has a silver lining. Or at least that's something I try very hard to believe.  This is Tom and Daddy after Daddy got to see the boat for the first time.  He loved that boat, he loved the name, and he was so happy to have a Shrimp boat in the family, after all these years.  So it was worth the adventure if only for that.  And so we went back to work on land, and luckily for me I love people as much as I love fish!

XO
Smiles,
Toni

These are Seagrapes.  Isn't this a beautiful tree? When I was growing up one of the "Conch Tales"

Handed down from generation to generation........

says that if theres a good "crop" of Seagrapes that year we won't get hit by a major hurricane.

So far so good!  We should be just fine.  Altho' several people in the CVS parking lot strolled over to see what the heck I was taking pictures of...before shaking thier heads and just walking away..  :) Just wanted ya'll to see how good things are looking so far.

So the next time your'e in Key West in the summertime, keep an eye out for the Seagrape trees, and if they're full of Seagrapes, they may be a Key Wester's best friend!

Smiles,
XO
Toni