Loving Opera@TheWaterfront in West Palm Beach

Palm Beach Opera held a community event Saturday, and I enjoyed every minute of it.

The event was billed as Opera@TheWaterfront. Ninety minutes of live opera music outside on the lush lawn of the Meyer Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach -- what's not to love?

The weather that Saturday was postcard-perfect, as if someone called Central Casting and ordered blue skies, a breeze that swayed the palm fronds and a temperature in the low 70s.

My favorite tenor, James Valenti, was there, along with the Palm Beach Opera Orchestra and its Chorus. And the whole thing was free!

People used the fans, which listed the afternoon's music schedule, to
shield their faces from the bright sun.

Exploring Sandi Land in West Palm Beach

I was supposed to go to Clematis by Night event on Thursday when West Palm Beach would light its 600-ton sand tree, but the downtown was mobbed. The  closest parking was about a mile away from the waterfront. My friends begged off and chose CityPlace instead for our Girls Night Out.

So I had to wait until Saturday morning when I usually drive up to West Palm Beach for yoga at its library and veggie shopping at its GreenMarket. The 35-foot tall sand sculpture was awesome.

The sculpture was decorated with a Christmas tropical theme.

Smelling through West Palm Beach garden

Sunday was a beautiful but blustery day here in Palm Beach County.

Wouldn't it be great, I thought, to photograph wind in action. I decided to drive up to Mounts Botanical Garden, across Military Trail from Palm Beach International Airport. It would be a veritable wind tunnel up there, with palm fronds swaying in the wind.

The planes were noisy as they landed and took off from the airport, often making the butterflies scatter. But I was soon lost in the garden, entranced by its fragrant blooms and brilliant hues that I forgot about my idea of photographing wind.

Here are five plants that caught my eyes and nose:

1. Bourbon rose

When the double white flowers of the Boule de neige (ball of snow) are opened
fully, the outer petals roll back at the tips giving the blossom a rounded, snow-
ball-like appearance. The flowers carried a moderate damask rose fragrance. 

Feeling grateful in Lake Worth

I remind myself daily to take time to be grateful for life's blessings. I live in a charming small city, have a dog who reminds me not to forget about her and work enough hours to keep us in spinach, dark chocolate and dog treats.

Even so, I find it hard not to get caught up in the drama of everyday living. The inadvertent social slights, juggling bills and added stress brought on by the holiday season take their tolls on my psyche. So I am pausing to list five reasons why I am grateful, mindful of Thanksgiving.

No. 1 reason: 

Free beach parking for one year after paying a $40 fee. The beach has become
my place to relax and put my problems in perspective. 

Bonfires return to Lake Worth beach

Bonfires on the Beach are back! As a Lake Worth resident, I love this freebie presented by my city. 

The bonfires bring the crowds to the Lake Worth Beach every other Friday evening, once turtle-nesting season is over. The city's lifeguards build and staff the bonfires, which begin about 6 p.m. and last until 9 p.m. or so. The shops and restaurants stay open late to serve the onrush of customers.

Friday was the first one of the season. By 7 p.m., several hundred had gathered to toast marshmallows and enjoy the bonfires listening to the waves lapping on the shore. And it wasn't even the peak time -- between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. In past years, as many as 1,500 would gather for the bonfires. 

Veterans Day in Delray Beach

Sgt. Thomas E. Smith

My dad died 10 years too soon.

As a member of the Greatest Generation, he had served in World War II as an infantry sergeant and tank commander of Company B 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He chased Gen. Erwin Rommel through the North African desert where my dad's tank was blown up in February 1943.

He then spent six months, lying on a board floating in water. Patched up and because the U.S. Army was short of men, he was shipped to Italy. The Allied Forces were battling the Nazis in Operation Shingle for four months in early 1944 at Anzio Beachhead.

He was injured there, too, by shrapnel that stuck in his spine and supposedly he would be paralyzed. His separation papers state that he "was in charge of a battery of 4 guns 76mm anti tank. Directed fire and led platoon into combat action mostly in Italian campaign."

Exploring LagoonFest in West Palm Beach

The first ever LagoonFest was a smashing success at the West Palm Beach waterfront Saturday. Various vendors showcased the restoration work more than two decades in the making and costing more than $76 million for this large estuary, often mistakenly called the Intracoastal Waterway.

The estuary is known officially as the Lake Worth Lagoon, which is about 20 miles long and up to a half-mile wide. I know this because I used to supervise the environmental reporter at The Palm Beach Post. And he taught me about all things eco-related.

I was ready to explore the vendor area and take a water taxi to the South Cove Natural Area. I didn't, though, expect to see a pig in my walk through the exhibit area:

Man squats down to pet pig brought by a woman and he asks
the question I was thinking: "Why a pig?"

Trying 'Turtleween' in Juno Beach

I thought the sea turtles would be dressed in costumes, but only the guides were at "Turtleween" held Saturday before Halloween.

For a fun four hours, princesses, super heroes, Army guys in camouflage and firemen took over the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach. The kids received candy, made turtle masks and lanterns and listened to spooky stories.

Because it was free, some enviro education was added by the guides who were standing among the sea turtle tanks. They just oozed sea turtle info.

Spiderman greeted visitors on arrival.

Doxies take over West Palm Beach waterfront

Dachstoberfest lived up to its name on Sunday when hundreds of dachshunds took over the Great Lawn in West Palm Beach.

The third annual event featured a Doxie Dash, a costume contest and over-the-top accessories for the owners. I took Sadie, my 1-year-old Cairn terrier rescue. Here is what we saw and heard:

Love the costumes these doxies are wearing! But who invited the poodles?

Visiting West Palm Beach GreenMarket on opening day

During the summer, when forced to eat greens from California, I longed for the return of the GreenMarket in West Palm Beach. Local produce rules there. That's why I happily stopped by the GreenMarket before my Saturday yoga class at the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach.

Dogs in church in Boynton Beach

I adopted a small female dog from the Tri-County Animal Rescue in Boca Raton last week. It was just in time to take her to my favorite Palm Beach County animal blessing service* at St. Joseph's Episcopal Church in Boynton Beach. The idea of dogs and other animals inside a church makes me smile.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office sent representatives
of its mounted unit.

Sadie, my 1-year-old Cairn terrier mix, dove under the pew as soon as the
choir music started.

Walking in Susan's shoes in Okeeheelee Park

Part of the SpenWen team walking through Okeeheelee Park.

I'd like to think it was my doing as captain of the SpenWen team that attracted more than 75 adults, kids and dogs to join us Saturday morning for a 2-mile stroll through Okeeheelee Park.

But it was the smiling and inspirational Susan Spencer-Wendel who drew the crowds and the money, over $50,000 raised so far, in the fight to Defeat ALS.

Recycle workout shoes at Okeeheelee Park

Shoes for the Cure container sits inside the Okeeheelee Nature Center.

The Okeeheelee Nature Center has bins to recycle plastics, paper, glasses and ... shoes. Yes, shoes!

I was shocked to see the Shoes for the Cure container, next to the pamphlets describing various nature activities at the suburban West Palm Beach park and elsewhere in the county.

WellFest coming to Delray Beach

Vinyasa yoga will be demonstrated by Yoga Journey staff.

When WellFest comes to Delray Beach March 8-9, it will take over the Delray Center for the Arts for two days of fitness, food and healthy lifestyle options.

Delray Beach was selected because of its "feel-good vibe" and numerous health and fitness-oriented businesses, according to WellFest creator Bob Lipp.

Join the SpenWen team in Okeeheelee Park

John Wendel, his wife Susan Spencer-Wendel and their dog Lenny wore
flower-power outfits and Afros in January to the 2014 ALS Kick-Off Party.

Aching to do the Twist? Want to dance the Mashed Potato or the Madison?

Maybe you prefer just to walk. Family and friends of Susan Spencer-Wendel are gathering in her honor on Saturday morning, March 22, in Okeeheelee Park. They will be part of the 2014 Walk to Defeat ALS with its '60s theme of Peace, Love, Walk.

Fresh Fest in West Palm Beach

Bindu Yoga class held on the East Berm.

Fresh Fest drew a crowd of young athletes, active adults, people battling illnesses, yogis and others interested in living a healthy lifestyle.

Saturday's event at the Meyer Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach was expected to draw about 1,600 over the course of six hours, co-organizer Branndi Lewis said before noon.

Karate for kids in West Palm Beach

Kids practice their natural stance, as demonstrated by
instructor Rochelle Gilken.

Tucked inside the Children's Library on the third floor of the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach, the kids' screaming "AWESOME!" reveal their location.

They are in the back room that serves many purposes. It's classroom during the day for teaching kids about art or how to cook. It's also home to the various storytimes the library holds. In the summer, it is transformed into Kidspace, an interactive place where kids come together and explore.

But on Wednesdays, from 6:15-7:15 p.m., the Action Karate program takes over. It's led by black-belt instructor, Rochelle Gilken.

Lake Worth beach on a shivery Sunday morning

Normally yoga students practice on this section of the beach at sunrise
every Sunday.

About 7 a.m. Sunday morning, it was a frosty, 42 degrees when I started my car. My windshield had actual ice on it! Yes, I was surprised to see ice in South Florida.

But I still drove to the Lake Worth beach for my Sunday morning walk. I was prepared for the weather with multiple layers that started with a camisole under a turtleneck and ended with a hooded rain jacket. In between, I wore a long-sleeved pullover fleece and a fleece jacket. I also had a shawl that I turned into a scarf by wrapping it around my neck and head, and my hands were inside leather gloves.

I was toasty!

Let's Move Boot Camp in downtown West Palm Beach

Trendy GreenMarket shoppers stopped to see
what the Boot Camp participants were doing.

It was already in the 80s even though it wasn't quite 10 a.m. Saturday. But I still went to check out the Let's Move Boot Camp near the West Palm Beach GreenMarket.

Trainer Anthony Webb from Ultima Fitness Downtown took the small group through six stations. First, he checked each person's form to make sure each one knew how to lift the barbell or medicine ball correctly. Then he had each person do 10 repetitions, followed by a whistle, a 10-second rest and repeat nine times and switch stations. Got that?

Join Team Extra Steppers in Let's Move challenge

Having trouble getting motivated to move this year? Palm Healthcare Foundation just might have the extra push to get us going.

The foundation with CBS12 and Palm Beach Broadcasting launched Let's Move: Commit to Change, a month-long physical activity challenge in Palm Beach County. The initiative, part of the national Let's Move! campaign, wants county residents to complete and log at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day in the month of January. 

Happy New Year from Lake Worth beach

Sunrise at Lake Worth beach on New Year's Day 2014

Early on New Year's Day, I headed to the Lake Worth beach for my morning walk. The skies were cloudy and the brisk 15-mph made me think the temperature was more like 65 degrees.

I saw families walking along the beach, with dads toting little ones on their shoulders. Other people were sitting in lounge chairs, watching the waves roll in and some party-goers looked like they never went home from their New Year's Eve festivities.