Let's take a deep breath: Week September 1 2, 2025
Table of Contents
Introduction
There's a lot going on. By Wednesday morning I was already trying to figure out how to not overwhelm the newsletter with negativity and had planned on just turning this week's letter to why I love the Big Cypress National Preserve so much and why we should not just need it, but love it, as a state and as a nation. But then Charlie Kirk was assassinated, which just reinforced my decision to make this letter almost entirely about Big Cypress, a central part to the Everglades.
As part of the work at this humble, tiny little newsletter is to grow, I'm going to put a toot of my own horn here in the introduction. But, generally, let's spend this newsletter taking deep breaths in the glorious wilderness in South Florida known as the Everglades, specifically in the section of it called Big Cypress National Preserve.
In fact, let's mostly look at pictures. Is that ok?
All of the photos in this week's letter are, unless they are clearly in a box with a story (like, the stuff Bear the History Hound Finds) are from Big Cypress National Preserve or the areas within less than a dozen miles from its borders.
A letter to the editor of the Miami Herald (tooting my own horn)
I wrote a letter to the editor of the Miami Herald that was published this week. The letter getting published gives me hope, but it's not exactly a hopeful note, so, well, I'll put it in the introduction. This is a free to access story in the Herald.
Special Coverage: Prayer Vigil 6 at * racist name redacted *
Philip Cardella
The South Florida Detention Center is, in fact, in Big Cypress National Preserve, so this special coverage from Sunday that I put together on the sixth consecutive Sunday prayer vigil there, is consistent with the theme and just part of the work here at TWIFL. The theme of the week was "do to others as you would have them do to you." What I want you to do is send me pictures of pretty things! So, most of the rest of this newsletter will be on that.
But, first, there is ample reason for disappointment this week but, as promised, I'm mostly going to focus on Big Cypress, with one exception...
Finite
Disappointment
I am going to share two reflections on the assassination of Charlie Kirk. One from a former Republican strategist turned Miami Herald Editor named Mary Anna Mancuso who used to operate in similar circles to Kirk. The other is by a reporter named Aaron Rupar who started a news service called Public Notice. Mr. Rupar leans left and brings the unfortunate context of having been the parent of a son who was in the chapel shot up last week in Minnesota (the son was not shot, to be clear). I'll leave it in their capable hands.
Aaron Rupar
Florida
Gonna Florida
Landscapes in Big Cypress National Preserve. All shot on Thursday of this week. Photo credits Philip Cardella TWIFL Copyright 2025.
Historic
Interlude
Jason Smith
Some of what's left in the ghost town of Pinecrest in Big Cypress National Preserve. Photo credits Philip Cardella TWIFL Copyright 2025.
The Pinecrest ghost town (which is inhabited and private property!) is about 6 miles off of US 41 on Loop Road in Big Cypress National Preserve. Please click on the link above with the rocking chair in the photo (not my work! but worth a look!)
Infinite
Hope
All photos are from Big Cypress this year EXCEPT the blue heron, the great egret and the anhinga (the bird in the water), which are from Shark Valley, fewer than ten miles from the border of Big Cypress National Park. On Thursday I did see a blue heron, a great egret and an anhinga along Loop Road, however, I wasn't able to grab good photos of them. Photo credits Philip Cardella TWIFL Copyright 2024 or 2025.
The Everglades, all of the Everglades, including Big Cypress, is magical, special, unique place worth preserving and setting aside. My letter to the editor is about the housing crisis in South Florida. I'm keenly aware of it. But destroying the Everglades is not the solution– it in fact will do more harm than good. But, that is for a different post.
I hope you enjoyed this breath of fresh air.
What will you do this week to take a deep breath and just...breathe?
Special shout out to my good friend Ben, who is fighting the cancer monster. He had a very good week and that gives me so much hope.
Bear
The History Hound Finds
Made by History
Rob Schenck
George Chidi
Philip Cardella