Blue Skies But Chillier Than Antarctica

For the first time ever, I spent Christmas alone. But at the Folly, it felt like just another beach day in spite of the seasonal decorations downtown.

Palm trees in natural light can be just as pretty as Christmas trees.

Walmart roses brightened up my simple holiday meal:  a stew of kale, cannellini beans and sausage sprinkled with parmesan cheese.

The contrast between clothing displays in buttoned-up Palm Beach and let-it-all-hang-out Miami Beach windows always makes me giggle.

There's no question that I socialize more during winters in Florida than I do in New York.  Paul, Linn and I checked out Mizner Park where they bought Beatles-inspired prints from Carla Bank. On another occasion, they introduced me to the guy who played guitar for the Andrea True Connection ("More More More")!  At least 20% of retirement is reminiscence with old friends and new.

Anthony and Zoltan, who stayed at the Folly a week apart, both ranked the Wakodahatchee Wetlands high on the list of places we visited.

Those lovey-dovey wood storks sure do know how to photobomb!

During a cold snap in February--which, according to a tradesman who has lived here for more than four decades, was the longest in his experience--iguanas literally fell out of trees, making close-up photography of the invasive species possible around our pool where they typically relieve themselves.

Upon returning from an Antarctic cruise with Steven and Andrew, Chris reported that the temperature there one morning had been higher than it was in south Florida!

Bird life made late afternoon walks around Lake Osborne more interesting

. . . and the gator Thom spotted was bigger than any other I saw this season, at least ten-feet-long and well-camouflaged.  Small pet owners may have been wary

. . . but its presence didn't deter jet skiers or fishermen.

Speaking of Thom, Lake Worth Beach's premier mixologist was in and out all season.

His Cosmos definitely improved the healthy appetizers, including tapenade, a holdover from the Pines.

We dined out more often than usual, too.  Sofra serves a terrific Turkish appetizer platter

. . . and you can't beat the crab fried rice

. . . or the strawberry almond shortcake at Oceano Kitchen.

I met Optimus while getting a firmware update at the Tesla dealer in West Palm Beach.  Let's hope the buff robot (and selfie magnet) can function with less hostility than its brilliant inventor.

Atmospheric museum selfies are more my speed.

The Chariot took us to Miami where we saw exhibits at the Bass Museum and the Institute of Contemporary Art.

"Jack Pierson: The Miami Years"

Patio View, Institute of Contemporary Art

"From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana" brought back memories of my recent trip to northern Italy, particularly Venice.

Venezia San Marco Collection, F/W 2021-22

There also were local cultural attractions, in addition to the first-rate Rembrandt exhibit Florian and I caught at the Norton late last fall.  Works by mostly contemporary LGBT+ artists comprised "Beyond The Rainbow," a terrific show at the Bunker Artspace, but a stellar group of guest curators from the community seasoned it with respectful nods to their elders, too.

"I Am Out Therefore I Am" by Adam Rolston (2025)

Alas, creativity at the Lake Worth Beach Street Painting Festival seems to be in decline, although there always are at least a dozen interesting works

. . . and colorful murals remain an integral part of the city's landscape.

A huge majority (80%) of Lake Worth Beach voters signaled their determination to keep our community funky by defeating a ballot initiative that would have granted 99-year leases (as opposed to the current 30-year duration) to develop our municipal beach front and golf course. Look no further than our streets for evidence of the town's occasionally dilapidated charm.

Guest Feedback Beneficiary

Never let it be said that Folly hosts ignore guest feedback. We heard through the grapevine that we didn't provide enough activities during a friend's visit so we scheduled the shit out of Anthony's, who last came to see us in 2022. After he enjoyed a morning of suntanning at Lake Worth Beach, I took him to Wakodahatchee Wetlands where nesting wood storks looked like clouds or cotton candy snared on bare branches.

Little blue herons--and alligators--were harder to spot.

On Wednesday, Chris and I drove Anthony to Miami in the Chariot to see "From the Heart to the Hands: Dolce & Gabbana," an over-the-top exhibition at the Institute of Contemporary Art. A nasty cold kept Thom back at the Folly.

Next up:  a snorkeling excursion in Biscayne National Park.  

Would you believe that seven of the nine people who signed up were gay men?  Even fish, lobsters and manta rays know we are everywhere!

Captain Sherman told us sea horses had been spotted at our destination, a tease that exponentially increased my excitement.  And eventual disappointment. Anthony knows how much I love the critters because I screen printed one on a t-shirt in a class he taught at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Water was the only refreshment provided on the boat.  No restrooms, either.  You know what that means.

It took nearly an hour to reach Sands Key.  Anthony took this beautiful shot.  I was saving my battery to make sure I had enough juice to unlock the Chariot when we returned.

I last snorkeled with Florian in Key West, as part of a package tour.

This was much better even though I was reprimanded for harvesting a tiny shell, no bigger than the tip of my finger.

Thom felt well enough on Thursday to show Anthony the Kip's Bay Decorator Show House (once was enough for me).  Despite the closure of A1A, the coastal highway, for the duration of whatever the current administration is calling its operation in Iran, there's no better way than riding in Delia with the top down to experience gorgeous weather in south Florida, whatever the time of day.

Thom took this shot of a Palm Beach matron who would not have looked out of place at the Fifth Avenue Easter Parade.  It's one of the spring events in New York I miss most.

Thursday afternoon we headed to the Bunker Art Space in West Palm Beach with Christine. It never gets old!  Thom and Anthony are flanking one of Nick Cave's "Soundsuits."

Next stop, a new ritual:  outdoor cocktails at the Colony Hotel, where they make potent espresso martinis with tequila. 1950s heartthrob George Hamilton had been spotted at the bar earlier in the week by a former Pines housemate whom Chris follows on Facebook.  A painter, too, the Palm Beach legend patronizes the same frame shop we do in Lake Worth Beach.

Anthony agreed that our final meal at Oceano Kitchen was superb, as good as any he'd eaten in New York.  Although the smoked Mojo pork belly, a Cuban dish, wasn't particularly photogenic, I can't say I've ever eaten anything more tasty.

The gnocchi sardi and the crab fried rice were delicious, too, particularly in comparison to my home cooked meals, including the chili I've been serving since we all met in the Pines three decades ago!