Everything is relative…I have no right to gripe.

But, it has been rainy and in the 40s in south Florida.

I did not even know how to turn the heat on in the house.

Christmas was spectacular and for some unknown reason I bought my family flannel pajamas.

The gifts were very much appreciated and quickly worn.

What does one do in a warm climate that turns frigid?

Eat?!

Shop?!

Workout?!

I searched for something new since we had done all of the above.

For years I have passed the sign on I-95 for Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens.

We never wanted to forego a day at the beach for a walk through the gardens and being inland there was always the tropical heat factor.

Yesterday dawned cold and rainy.

By 10am the rain dissipated and we dressed in layers and headed to Morikami.

A bit of history…in the early 1900s a group of young Japanese farmers arrived in the Delray/Boca Raton area and formed an agricultural colony called Yamato, the ancient name for Japan.

Unfortunately, the farming endeavors were not sustainable and most members returned to Japan except for George Sukeji Morikami.

Decades later Morikami donated his land to Palm Beach County with the desire for it to become a park dedicated to preserving the memory of the Yamato Colony.

In 1977 his dream was realized.

Stroll with me through the authentic Japanese gardens…

The grounds are gorgeous, bonsai trees abound and waterfalls flow.

We spent two hours calmly wandering the authentic 16 acres surrounded by peace and tranquility.

We departed and the sun, after four dark, dank, cold days, broke through answering our immediate “all about us” prays.

The temperature magically climbed to 69.

We finished the day in grand style with a delectable lunch of rock shrimp and clams and a good book at the beach.

Heiwa…

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens 4000 Morikami Park Road Delray Beach, Florida. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm. General admission $15, Seniors $13.