Homesteading

It's a 15-hour drive from the nation's capital to Lake Worth, "where the tropics begin."

 

The city's weathered logo simply captures the reasons to winter here.

Getting a selfie by the pool to make Thom jealous was my first priority.

Naturally Amazon delivered our first purchase.  If only the rest of the house was as easy to furnish!

Chris arrived in time for the street painting festival.  Christine joined us.

The artists, commissioned by local businesses, actually use chalk.

We got there early on Sunday to beat the crowd.  Local churches were charging people $20 to use their lots but we live close enough to the center of town to walk.  Black Panther had just begun breaking box office records and the color barrier in Hollywood.

I wouldn't have recognized either Joan Jett or Steve McQueen without some help.  Does anyone even know who they are anymore?  Nobody ever smoked sexier than Steve!

Too bad the artist who drew the New York Central locomotive wasn't around.  I would have crowed that my grandfather had been an engineer on the line for decades until he retired.  I fell in love with Florida because of my grandparents' home in Daytona Beach, spending some of the happiest moments of my childhood trapping lizards that changed colors and chasing sand dollars.

Since so many people come to Florida to die, there is plenty of good quality, "previously loved" furniture.  Chris and I found a regionally appropriate dining set for the patio at True Treasures.

Thom flew in for some poolside sun at the end of March.

After we picked up his gynecological chair at Walmart (wait--Thom in Walmart?  The mind reels!), we continued our "one-room-at-a-time" furniture quest at Decor Once More.  He's hoping the living area will one day evoke "Casablanca."

Little things make me happy.  Check out the detailing on this casual table.

Too bad both Chris & Thom missed the wife-carrying contest at the annual Finnish Festival.

But there are plenty of live critters around to keep me company when the other Golden Girls have flown the coop.

This curious guy watches me do my sit ups every day.

Don't be fooled by his diminutive size.  He and his buddies took down this moth late one afternoon.

The beach is a 22-minute walk from our house through a lovely park that abuts the Intracoastal.

If the drawbridge is up, be prepared to wait.  A single boat can back up traffic, even during rush hour.

The delays don't affect fishermen or iguanas sunning on the piers below.

The drawbridge also offers beautiful views, especially at sunset.

Big waves, strong currents and vigilant lifeguards prohibited swimming in early March despite the glorious weather.

Long strolls are almost as good.

Can you spot the surfer?

Kite surfers enjoy the occasional windy afternoon.

There's no place as pretty as Central Park to exercise, but interesting homes can be found on nearly every block.  Most were built long before ours.

Seasons may be lacking, but flora abound.

We even discovered an orchid in our backyard!

Did you know pineapples symbolize hospitality?

Lake Worth offers plenty of places to worship.

The library, built in the 40s, is more my speed.

The quirky art collection includes depictions of Lucrezia Borgia, Lady Godiva and Joan of Arc!

A monument across the street honors Martin Luther King, Jr.

You can't miss the Lake Worth City Hall Annex Cultural Plaza.

 

And you always know you're in Florida, even when you mail a letter.

Local signs of patriotism scare me more than alligators.

Lake Worth treats its pooches well.  They have their own park, segregated by size.  Vita, Moofy, Arko and Curtis all should check it out.

My Florida sojourn wasn't all swims and walks.  Who knew I'd spend more time improving our home than my mind in my golden years?

Frank of D'Andrea's Professional Lawn Services nimbly (and reasonably) pruned some Schefflera trees.  They grow like weeds.

On Time Roofing did a good job even if the company didn't live up to its name.  I returned to New York before I ever saw our new Streamline Gutters at work.  

Here's hoping the house makes it through our first hurricane season!