2nd blog of 2025
Yes, that’s a ho hum headline but I can’t think of anything else. Maybe this year my blogs will just be named by the week of the year.
My house is officially “un” Christmasized and it makes me a bit sad although I still have and will have displayed all year, a tiny plastic Christmas tree next to my desk adorned with a few little sad ornaments and a cute red ribbon.
TY Park
Massive tree against clear blue skies at TY Park.
Vance and Nick in a big colorful rainbow-colored adirondack chair at TY Park.
Saturday, Nick wanted to go to the park so we headed up to Hollywood and spent the afternoon walking around TY Park. We played frisbee, enjoyed the gorgeous weather and spent time by the water. That’s Nick and I in the butterfly chairs at TY Park. That night, Vance and I did dinner and a movie date night. We had some amazingly authentic Mexican food at Cheen Huaye where they specialize in Southern Mexican cuisine, then headed up to Aventura Mall and watched the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.” I highly recommend the restaurant, where I had the cochinita pibil tacos, and also recommend the movie.
Sunday I did something I’ve never done before… I didn’t just attend as a spectator as I’ve done for so many years, but I marched in The King Mango Strut Parade in Coconut Grove with my fellow Food Rescue volunteers and had an absolute blast! Saying hello to my niece Elena, her partner AJ and their adorable son Jojo while walking the parade route was the highlight! See the video above where I spot them and stop to say hi. Afterwards I grabbed a couple of croquetas at Chug’s Diner and then walked to Kennedy Park where Vance picked me up. The afternoon went downhill after that as we watched the Miami Dolphins sadly end a dismal season in an away loss to the NY Jets.
I definitely broke my eating lunch out rule this week because on Tuesday, I met up with my longtime friend Antoinette for lunch at Soba Asian Noodles in Fort Lauderdale. I’ve known Antoinette since 1988 when I started working at Miami Today Newspaper, my first job out of college. She and I have always kept in touch all these years and it was fantastic catching up with her over a leisurely 2 1/2 hour lunch. We both ordered the Lucky Udon bowl with a shio soup base, broccoli, spinach, fish cakes, steamed chicken, tomato and shrimp. Warm and comforting on a cold day.
Wednesday, while my car was being serviced, I walked to Enchanted Forest Park and after a long conversation with the park manager Lola Neale, who convinced me to attend their volunteer meeting this Sunday, I sat at their butterfly garden for a bit. I then walked over to Flanigan’s where I had a cheeseburger, fries and a coke for lunch. Then I walked to Arch Creek Park, sat there for a bit, then back to the mechanic where I waited for my car to be done. That night, Nick and I went to trivia and we didn’t do very well but it was fun, as it always is. I definitely got my steps in this day.
Finally yesterday, I met another friend for lunch, this time at Talavera Cocina Mexicana Restaurant in Coral Gables. Ginny and I also had a long leisurely lunch where we had the guacamole appetizer which comes with crunchy pork rinds and for my entree, I ordered the veggie enchiladas. I know Ginny through the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and our mutual friend George Neary who is regularly featured in this blog. It was a nice way to spend the afternoon.
And this weekend, Vance, Nick and I will continue our weekend park outing ritual by going to Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah. Then tomorrow night we’re going out to dinner at Captain Jim’s Restaurant with my cousin Jose and his wife Becky from Colorado who are in town for wedding. Then Sunday, I’ll be going to the volunteer meeting at Enchanted Forest Park.
Lastly, here’s my latest article for Artburst Miami on YoungArts Week which ends tomorrow. Click here to read it.
That’ll do it for this week. I’ll see you right here next Friday. Until then… stay healthy, happy and cozy!
