Many readers have asked me, "where is Lighthouse Point?" We are nestled on the east coast of the Florida peninsula about ten miles north of Ft. Lauderdale and we stick out into the Atlantic Ocean. The charming landmark of the lighthouse on the Hillsboro Inlet gives us our name.

Just like the birds, we are polyphonic in nature. It is not unusual for me to hear a mockingbird call for a mate from my oak tree, or the chirping of a little red cardinal as it whizzes over my head while in my pool, or observe the blue jays chasing a cat, or hear the singing of an orange oriole eating berries from the hedge. My garden is alive and slowly rebounding after the battering it received this past hurricane season. The avocados, bananas, coconuts and papayas are growing defiantly; but gone are my lemon, orange, kumquats, mandarin, grapefruit and key lime trees, which were all cut down under the aegis of the Florida Citrus Commission.

My gardeners speak Spanish and Creole and once in a while English can be heard. But a garden has a language all of its own. The only flowers I can't seem to manage here are roses, and how I love them! The most exotic flower in the world is the orchid and I raise a few. The Dendrobium with its showy sprays of flowers that last for weeks makes its appearance from my palm tree near the spa. A friend gave me a white Cattleya in a pot last Christmas but now it is shy. The verbena is a colorful border plant which feeds the butterflies, and the periwinkles always surprise me with their indominatable spirit. They do well in sun or shade, tolerate various soils with different moisture conditions and are very salt tolerant.

On Sunday mornings I can think of no greater freedom than running on the beach with cool sand under my feet as I jump over the gentle waves, staring out at the interminable horizon. I could never live far away from the ocean because I would suffocate. I tried living a couple of times in landlocked countries, but the mermaid in me could not breathe! Having been born in Dundee, Scotland, the area famous for jute, jam and journalism, and growing up eating wilks and playing with the slimy seaweed, I am not content unless I can hear the roar of the waves, smell the salty air and see the sunsets on the vast expanse. The feeling of energy I get from the ocean renews my spirit and gives me solace.

St. Augustine, further north on the east coast, is one of my favorite parts of Florida. When Juan Ponce de Leon, set out to search for the Fountain of Youth and landed on April 3, 1513, he took possession of that region for King Phillip II. I think his intuition might have been right all along because this area is a fountain of youth. I never wear shoes unless I have to go out. I spend my days at my computer in a bikini and oversized tee-shirt so that I can take frequent stretching dips in the pool while I think of my next sentence. I eat fresh fruits from my garden and attempt an herb garden. So far the Rosemary and Oregano perform best.

If I so much as mention that a tuxedo or black tie is de rigueur because we are going some place special, my husband almost has a nervous breakdown, and I get a dirty look and "why don't you go alone?" He donated all his suits and ties to the poor when he stopped flying, hoping that without the clothes, he would not have to attend social functions. If he lived to be one hundred he could not possibly wear the myriad of tee-shirts he has in his closet we collected from our travels. Luckily, I do have an odd assortment of artistic friends who do love these gatherings so I am never without an escort. Sun worshippers would rather spend money on a part for a sailboat, a new golf club or tennis racket. In this climate, clothes are optional.

Florida can be the fountain of youth, providing we stay out of the sun, or embalm ourselves with sunscreen, or face a lecture from Dr. Albert Dabbah, Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgeon; DrDabbah.com has his practice in Boca Raton, Florida, and talks about "the ageless revolution," sees younger "patients between the ages of 18 - 25 who are interested in rhinoplasty (nose reshaping), liposuction and breast augmentation or reduction. Patients between the ages of 25 and 35 are more concerned about the appearance of their skin, and older patients want imperfections removed such as lines and wrinkles, brown spots, from sun exposure."

Nowadays we can take a proactive approach to our health and looks and join the ageless revolution. Spa Services: Face Treatments; Makeup Services, etc., all provided exclusively at Albert Dabbah, M.D., F.A.C.S., 561-488-1700 Boca Raton, Fla.

From the Florida Fountain of Youth:

Papaya Face Peel (papaya contains papain, a natural enzyme that removes dead skin cells.)

Recipe:

1 packet unflavored gelatin, 3 tablespoons distilled water, 1 papaya, peeled and seeded

Combine the gelatin and water and dissolve over low heat. Place papaya cubes in a blender, strain and save the liquid. Combine gelatin and papaya juice. Refrigerate for 20 minutes. Spread gelatin over face and neck and relax, while reading a romance novel. (Don't open the front door, or you will scare the mail man!) Rinse off with a soft sponge.

"She got her good looks from her father. He's a plastic surgeon!" Groucho Marx

Swimfully yours,

Alinka