Blog No. 10 of 2025

Let’s kick things off this week with the drive up to Merritt Island on Friday to spend the weekend shopping (thrifting really) for furniture for our townhouse up there.

Friday was spent mainly with Vance waiting for furniture to be delivered and me meeting up with my friend Janet for a drink and appetizer at 4th Street Fillin’ Station in Cocoa Beach. Janet works for Royal Caribbean and was in Port Canaveral for work. We met up in Cocoa Beach and had a great time catching up.

Sign at The Island Waterfront Bar & Grill. The tiki bar was closed that night, hope to visit again when it’s open.

That night, Nick, Vance and I checked out The Island Waterfront Bar & Grill in Merritt Island where we met a colorful local named Ralph. Because we all had that “deer in the headlights” look he befriended us and quickly gave us the lay of the land on this cool locals hangout. Vance and I split the seafood platter and Nick had a burger and fries, of course. We loved the vibe and the view here, I’m sure we’ll be coming back here often.

Saturday and Sunday we spent the day checking out thrift stores where we found great tables, lamps, a desk, a vintage vase and well… much more. And best of all, the prices were so reasonable. It felt great to start making the townhouse feel like a home, a second home. Elizabeth drove over from Orlando and we all shopped together on Sunday, it was really nice.

Saturday morning I took a really nice long walk down on Diana Blvd., the street that leads to our townhouse. I took it all the way down to the water and captured the photo above. On my way back, I popped into Five Below and bought a few cute little items for the house.

On Saturday, between thrift runs, we visited my niece Nicole where she and her husband Tariq treated us to a lunch of tasty Publix sandwiches at their lovely home. It’s always great visiting with them and their kids Ramzi and Mazen. Tariq who is a whiz with the 3-D printer he’s got, had a nifty golf ball holder he created with it, waiting for Vance.

Seagulls at Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral

The wind was picking up the sand at Jetty Park which made for a pretty cool picture.

Sunday after church, and a bit more shopping, Nick, Vance and I went back to the Fillin’ Station then for a quick visit to Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral. The weather dropped dramatically while we were out so it was a very quick visit at the park.

Monday, Nick and I drove straight through to Miami without stopping except to pick him up lunch and drop him off at his program. Later that day I had a Zoom call with Cece Leary from Best Buddies to discuss me writing profiles about their buddy matches for their newsletter and to be shared on social media. I’m excited about this new adventure. I’m hoping to get my first assignment before the end of the month.

Biscayne Park walk

Surfside Beach

That’s pretty much it, the rest of the week has been quiet except for mass on Ash Wednesday. Also, I took a few long walks around the neighborhood and at Surfside Beach. The pics above are from those walks.

Tonight we’ll be at Nick’s Special Olympics Opening Ceremonies before he competes in 3-on-3 basketball tomorrow. Then on Sunday, I’ll once again be catering the reception following the Karen Peterson & Dancers Forward Motion Festival at the Sandrell Rivers Theater. Click here to read about the festival and the amazing work of Karen Peterson.

And for all the Miamians reading this, although 305 Day was technically on March 5th, the 305 Day festivities take place tomorrow at Wynwood Marketplace. Click here for all the info.

Coming up on Monday, March 10, my sister Susy and I will be at Miami-Dade Wolfson to listen to Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson discuss her recent biography. Click here for info on that.

And my proudest moment this week was seeing my profile published in Biscayne Times that I was told helped raised $1,600 for the cause. Here’s the link.

That’s all for this week! Have a great one and see you back here next Friday.