Need A Day Off

Yesterday's plate was a little over-full with four major events. First was the Race for the Cure (picture below). Next, was the movie, Big Miracle, which Jane & I both liked and recommend. It was about the true story back in 1988 when, in Alaska, a family of whales was trapped by ice. After that, we ushered for the Lake Worth Playhouse production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I enjoyed it more than Jane but I still felt it didn't measure up to the usual quality of their productions. In the evening we ushered at the Kravis for  Divorce Party the Musical. Neither of us liked it but it seemed to be well received. It was a good production but just not our cup of tea. Last Monday we went to a pre-release screening of Man on a Ledge. Jane liked it better than I did. It was an improbable and flawed story that reminded me of Tower Heist but without the humor. Its stress level is just what you can imagine.

Weekend In Paradise

Yesterday morning, Sunday, we had a good hike with Alan Collins and the FTA at Hungryland Slough Natural Area (see the two upper pictures below). The morning before, Saturday, we had a walk with Judy Jaksch and the P. B. Pack & Paddle Club across the Lake Worth bridge (bottom of pictures below). Then we went to the Norton Art Museum (2nd & 3rd pictures from bottom). And finally, although really tired, we took in the artpalmbeach show at the convention center -- always a terrific show (3rd, 4th, & 5th pictures below). The Best of all was Thursday at the Eissey Theater -- The U.S. Air Force Ceremonial Brass -- the best free concert we've attended in a long while. Who said there was no free lunch?

Thirteen of us braved this morning's cold and enjoyed our walk on what became a beautiful day. We went into the new Publix Market and the Paramount Theater building before breakfast at TooJays.

Goings On

We went to the South Florida Fair yesterday -- their 100th year. The big show this year is the magician, but my favorite -- back after 4 years -- is the the hypnotist. We went to two of his shows yesterday. I haven't laughed so hard in years. As always, it really tired me out. But, best of all, I didn't yield to a single food-temptation.


I highly recommend Palm Beach Dramaworks production of The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds. Saw it Thursday.

The road show of the rock musical, Hair, is playing at The Kravis. I had mixed feelings about it and didn't have the same enthusiasm for it as had 40 years ago. The audience, for the most part, seemed to like it, but I saw a few unhappy patrons who left at intermission. Don't worry to much about missing it.

Two Movies -- The Artist & The Help

In black and white and silent, I would describe The Artist as a parody of the early silent movies. It certainly stands alone in the current cinema-fare. The story revolves around the sudden change in movie-making from silent to sound. I would have enjoyed it more if I had been ignorant of the high praise so universally heaped upon it. I'm glad we went and can recommend it but suggest you go with modest expectations.

A couple of weeks ago we saw The Help, a movie about African-American maids' points of view of the white families for which they work. It has received well-deserved high praise and I highly recommend it.

At Jupiter Ridge Natural Area on this perfect morning we celebrated Liz Hailman's seventy-fifth birthday.

It was a busy week for us at the Kravis with three events -- Linda Edler & Steve Tyrell on Tuesday, Neil Berg's 103 Years of Broadway on Wednesday, and Friday, The Palm Beach Pops -- all good.

................Happy New Year.............

We're such suckers for fireworks, Every time we see fireworks it always seems they are the best. Here's the view we had last night from the Royal Poinciana bridge.                                            
It hardly seems possible, but today begins Jane's and my 27th year of marriage. Twenty-six years ago we made the best decision of our lives.