Emerging from Covid

Since 2019, I have been very cautious, avoiding possible exposure to Covid. After receiving two vaccine doses, I gained the confidence to venture out. My grandson's school did not hold a prom, so they had a smaller private prom instead. I was able to fly to Florida to attend some of the pre-prom festivities. I had a short stay with my daughter and returned to New Jersey within a week. However, soon after my return, another variant of COVID-19 became prevalent. Mask mandates were not fully lifted, and the decline in the number of cases seemed tentative. Nevertheless, December 2021 was a bit festive with some Christmas shopping, attending a Winter festival at Renault Winery near me, and hosting two family get-togethers at my home. See my grandson with his white tux.

As January 2022 arrived, the figures were disappointing; however, a decline was anticipated, and by the end of March 2022, there was a rise in optimism.

On my 75th birthday, I took a Spirit Airlines flight from Atlantic City Airport to West Palm Beach International Airport. March in New Jersey had been chilly, so the daytime temperatures above 72 degrees were delightful. I am 75 but I had been feeling closer to 80.  I improved somewhat health-wise:  my acid reflux subsided, my plantar fasciitis got better, and my stiff, achy body felt rejuvenated like it hadn't in months. A highlight of the vacation was my granddaughter's cheerleading banquet, where I saw a group of young ladies looking stunning in their sleek black dresses and heels.

So another venture was to visit a tattoo and piercing shop.  My granddaughter, Cece, was getting an ear  piercing with her friend, and I was given the opportunity, as a birthday gift from my daughter, to get a tattoo.  I agreed to replica of Post Malone's signature and a Posty inspired wave design.

Drove by this houseboat on the way to Miami while on the Brightline train.

The terminal is clean and up-dated area where many reviewers say it compares favorably to the best in Europe where train service is more appreciated.

Had lunch here:

 

Whimsical Art at the Gardens Mall

I was delighted to view the exhibition of Dr. Seuss's Art at the Gardens Mall down in Palm Beach County, Florida.  It was exciting to see some of the famous works.  Some of the pieces had a price and you could purchase one.  I was ready to get my wallet out.  I thought wow----I could buy one of these.  Even now I have not quite abandoned that thought.  My photos of his work were not the best in dealing with reflections and angles but I still wanted to post here for my memories of the compelling works. The event has come to an end in Florida but its official name was the "Ann Jackson Gallery Presents the Art of Dr. Seuss at the Gardens Mall".   Theodor Seuss Geisel's work included drawings, paintings and sculptures.  Seuss's work is not just for kids.  His work now hangs in museums with masters like Picasso, Chagall, Warhol, and other 20th century artists.

 

Green ham...?

We all know this one:

Whimsical Musical!

 

Who?

Get-away from New Jersey's Winter

     It could be worse.  I could be living in New England or worse yet----Canada.  But getting a chance to visit my daughter, her husband, and my four grandchildren down in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida at the end of January gives me a break from that SAD syndrome.  I was going to just make this a little field guide for Florida palm trees but that would mean many of my photos wouldn't fit with the blog theme so this will be a little of everything from my trip.

 

So nice to leave from Pomona. 

 My sister works there for the

 F. A. A. so I get a ride to the airport as she goes to work.

Newest golf course mower swings sideways in nearly an effortless motion.  Early in the morning from the backyard, you catch the greens caretakers doing their thing which I find to be more fascinating than the golfers.

           

We walked on a trail through a nature preserve which was supposed to be great bird habitat but we did not see one bird other than the red-bellied woodpecker which I can easily find in my own backyard in Jersey.  But not far from the protected natural area, at a children's park, life is easy for hundreds of white ibises.  There also were a number of domesticated, although somewhat mixed, Muscovy ducks.  Their extreme warty face makes them eligible for the title the "Ugliest Duck".   

 

A bird park with one bird!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Florida Football for kids-----no tackling here but it looks

like it would be a challenge to get him down.

 

 

 

It was a perfect day. Just warm enough to seek the shade. 

 That's what you want when you are escaping Jersey's

 frigid temps.

 

 

You do not have to
request a pose. Must be instinctive!

 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Cleaning the windows because Annie and Tyler make nose prints 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Different bird from the

Palm Beach Zoo but with another warty appendage. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 Sweet! It was grandparent's day and I got to visit.

 

 

 

 

 I didn't get to see any orange groves.  But this exotic fruit

 growing on the church grounds made me happy.

 

 

 

 

I remember a time when you just did not

 see the Bismark palm in Florida but now

it is a popular dramatic accent to the landscape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take your pick I am having trouble naming this palm. 

  Royal palm?  Queen palm?  The fox tail palm also has bushy fronds? 

 

 

 

Cycads are not palms!

 

 

 

 

http://www3.nd.edu/~fboze/cycads.shtml

 

 

 

http://www.florida-palm-trees.com/palm-tree-pictures

 

There are mansions in South Jersey that are open to the public but none as opulent as the Flagler Museum.  They mention Atlantic City's golden era with rolling chairs which may have been an inspiration but the rolling chair that you see here is a bit of an upgrade.

 

http://www.flaglermuseum.us/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A bit sparse here.  It was the servants bedroom.

 

The well landscaped yard had blossoms of every color

including this yellow one with a guest nestled comfortably.

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

..a flower from the allamanda bush:

Calliandra,  probably in the mimosa family:

 

 

 

 

A Jersey girl transplanted in Florida:

A princess indeed!

 

Can you tell who is dancing the fastest?

 

 

How lucky I was! 

Got to have lunch with the cast of  "Singin in the Rain" and got a "Singin in the Rain" umbrella as a special memento.  The lunch featured a bit of tap dancing that brought back memories of my own tap dance lessons. 

 

http://jupitertheatre.org/shows/singinintherain/