Accumulation, Part II: Tropics Defined

Now that I live in Palm Beach, I've discovered what accumulation means here {at least what I have noticed}: how deep the piles of overgrown greens, palms and other natural products are.

It astonished me after five months, seeing bushes bloom numerous times. Back in Colorado, many bushes bring out their splendor in the spring or summer but only once.

Blooming tree in the front of the house with a hungry visitor

Early on in my time here, I began to notice piles of green debris in neighborhoods. These piles, comprised of clipped hedge leaves, fallen palm fronds, discarded limbs and dried bits of flora, piled up at the end of driveways all over the island.

Around our block, these piles magically disappeared on Thursday afternoons.
I mean, I know it's a magical place here but that is going a bit far. On the other hand, I wouldn't put it past the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County to make middle-of-the-night round ups.

After weeks of wondering, I finally saw the claw along with his truck and gentlemen who made the magic happen.

Apparently this crew is out on the Island five days a week to keep the accumulation cleared away...all year.

Smiling! I think he couldn't imagine why I was taking these pictures.

What I want to know? Where does it all go when the truck is full? Feel free to comment if you know.

Thanks and see you next time, Eli

Build a Bridge and...

December 5, 2011, 10:30am, begins the reconstruction of the Flagler Memorial Bridge, affectionately called as the North Bridge.

It is one of three bridge that link Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, over the Intercoastal Water Way.

From December 5 through 16, the bridge will have one lane closed from 10:30am to 3:30pm. You'll want to plan extra time to cross and remember to factor in extra time for draw bridge openings which can happen any hour, at quarter past and quarter til.

I thought I'd share some photos of the North Bridge's current beauty. What will happen to these lovely accessories once the new bridge is built?

One interesting bit is that the old bridge, after being completely removed, will be recycled as "a structure within an existing artificial reef site in the ocean just to the southeast of Lake Worth Inlet." (source)

So enjoy; tomorrow they may be gone...

 

Can you see a small, yellow "heart"?

 Thanks for joining me today. Until next time, Eli

Color-fall Palm Beach

Being from Colorado and living on old city streets full of rugged deciduous trees and near hillsides packed with a banquet hall of quaking aspen trees, I delight in the colors of fall and the cooler weather that goes with it.

In the Rocky Mounatins, it brings with it their "Season", Ski Season!

Believe it or not, several ski areas are already open: Wolf Creek, Arapaho Basin, Loveland, Copper Mountain and Winter Park {30 minutes from where I grew up}. If you want to know how good the snow is, check out the Snow Report.

Living in Florida, as you might imagine, is a little different. I just shared a post about The Season in Palm Beach but what about the signs of fall here. I can tell you...they are everywhere, you just have to pay attention to see its beauty. Let me help you, below are a number of "Color-fall" images from Palm Beach.

 

Thanks for visiting today and Happy Fall!
Until next time, Eli

Mother Nature's Competition

It's green.
Everywhere, green.

On Palm Beach Island, Mother Nature hardly has a chance to craft her wildly beautiful fields and forests by whistling the seeds into place, shining the warm sun and sprinkling the tiny buds with rain. Nope. The landscaper has subdued the land, invaded the walls and embellished nearly every surface around. And I say, "Wow!"

Take a little adventure around the island and you'll find nearly every shade of green you can imagine: some indigenous but many species imported from exotic lands. Every hedge, topiary, palm and more is carefully planned for its ability to shade, hide and decorate year round.

Today, I'm sharing some of my favorite images of what I call "painting green." Enjoy these island images and decide who has the upper hand: Mother Nature or landscapers!

Love the grass painting the lines between the yard tiles

Mural on the wall at 150 Worth Avenue. Go see it.

My favorite. So elegant and "natural."

I'd say the landscapers are giving Mother Nature a run for her money. What do you think?

Until next time, Eli

{all photos by me}

Furry Home Invasion

The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi is celebrated by many Christian churches the world over on October 4th which commemorates St. Francis' death.

The Church of St. Francis of Assisi

A service of Blessing of the Animals often takes place the first Sunday in October as Francis is known for his love of animals. The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea shares in this splendid tradition.

A blessing in action

I'm not sure when BBTS's event began but nationally it crawled into being in the 30's. Sunday's celebration was a marvelous event, and I met a number of people who attended every year. {It sure looks like they all came this year.}

The church is full and many are blessed

The most popular blessing in the US is found at St. John the Divine in New York City and began in 1985. According to Squidoo, "Each year thousands of animals with their humans congregate [there] for the annual Holy Eucharist and Procession of Animals."

      But

I wondered what it might be like from Ranger's perspective. {Ranger is our 3 year old Shih Tzu seen above.}

Let's put it this way. Nearly every day, Ranger and I take a stroll or two through the church grounds. He loves to chase frogs, smell the flowers and greet the staff. I think he feels like this is part of his home.

Now imagine coming to church on Sunday and having hundreds {"maybe even thousands," says Ranger} of creatures invading!!!

Dogs of all shapes and sizes, cats in baskets, snakes, an ocelot, a chinchilla...would it ever end?

Poor Ranger endured it very well I would say. He did not bark at any of the visitors (furry or otherwise).

And his comment on the whole thing?

He left a small note for his new friends about every 15 feet on our walk Monday morning. 'Nuff said!

Until next time, Eli

No Yawning Awnings

The sun is strong here. Everyone tells me so.

The latitude, being on the near side of the equator, actually makes it so. Check out my blog post on the Sun's rays at sea-level beach vs. high altitude mountains.

Any way you slice it, clipping around town for some jaunty fun is a bummer when you stop at a cafe or diner and have to wait outside in the sun for a table or for your valeted car.

Chic stores in Palm Beach use awnings. These aren't your run-of-the-mill, boring awnings. But just like the fashion of hip Palm Beachers, they wear the latest styles with graphic patterns, bright colors and fun shapes.

Graceful shape and dynamic colors

 Let's take a little tour around Palm Beach Island and view some of what the best looking doors wear.

Bold Stripes and scallops

Triplets and Twins

Classic white with scallops

Elegant cloth and metal

Form and color

Here's an activity for you, as you drive or walk around town, see if you spy any of these, or maybe some that I missed. Just enjoy the hunt!

Until next time, Eli

Dinner on the Atlantic

One of the dreamiest nights I've had since we arrived in Palm Beach happened when my husband and I were invited to spend an evening on the beach, among new friends, sipping white wine, listening to the waves, feeling the breeze and sharing a meal together. All while the sun set and the moon rose. Enjoy some  images of the incredible evening.

Table ready

Guests ready

The smile says it all

Whisper of a sunset

Stunning Moonrise

Thanks to the family who planned it and to God for creating this amazing evening. Brilliant, I'd say.

Until next time, Eli