Blog No. 16 of 2025

Out on the water in New Smyrna Beach, making memories and loving life.

Amazing capture by Kevin of the pink moon and sailboat at River Deck.

The gang, closing out the day at River Deck.

Keeping warm by the firepit at River Deck.

Hi all! Let’s take it back to last Saturday when Vance, Nick and I enjoyed an amazing day out on the water with friends Phil and Margaret and Kevin and Michelle in New Smyrna Beach under bright blue skies and a lovely breeze. Then we went to River Deck Tiki Bar & Restaurant where we hung out by the firepit as the temperature dropped into the 60s and admired the sunset, pink full moon shining on the water and watched a rocket launch.

Tuesday night, as I mentioned in last week’s blog, we went back to The Fat Snook, this time for dinner with Elizabeth and her boyfriend David and Nick joined us as well. We had another fantastic meal.

Wednesday Elizabeth drove over from Orlando and joined Nick, Vance and for trivia night where we took second place!

I got to spend time with my niece Nicole and her boys going to watch her son Mazen at his Little League practice and she and Mazen also attended Palm Sunday mass with us and joined us for breakfast at Dunkin’ Donuts afterwards.

While Vance was at work, Nick and I met him for lunch on Tuesday at Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar at the Port. We also visited his office at the Port Authority and got to meet his bosses and co-workers.

Nick getting ready for his relaxing massage.

Nick and I also had lunch at a Chili’s near the townhouse on Tuesday and I took him to Massage Envy in Rockledge and we went and did a little shopping at World Market in the same plaza on Thursday.

Lovely bird at Kelly Park.

Before going to the Little League Practice Nick and I went to Kelly Park where he practiced basketball and I got in some steps, walking the lovely boardwalk and the perimeter of the park. We returned for a bit on Thursday too before going to Holy Thursday mass. We also got some walking in with Vance around our Merritt Island neighborhood.

Quaint alley in Cocoa Village.

Little cat charm I bought at Desert Island Press in Cocoa Village, looks great on my little purse.

Friday it was time to head home. Because Vance I took up a small dining room table and four chairs to Merritt Island, we had both cars all week, we headed out at different times. I took the time to stop at Cocoa Village and visit a few shops that I discovered the last time we were there. Click on the link above to check out all they’ve got to offer, including lots of cute restaurants, cool independent shops and a cool brewery.

Path toward the beach at Avalon State Park.

Shoreline was so beautiful along the beach at Avalon State Park.

Birds at Avalon State Park.

I also took the opportunity to visit Avalon State Park in Fort Pierce where I took a long walk on the beach, admiring the adorable birds and the gorgeous water and shells along the shoreline.

Cousins Mazen and Jojo hanging out on Easter Sunday.

Yesterday was spent unpacking and relaxing around the house and today was a beautiful Easter Sunday starting with mass at our beloved St. Martha’s Catholic Church in Miami Shores and an afternoon spent with family enjoying delicious food made by my niece Elena with some contributions from the rest of us.

And now I leave you so I can get ready for an early morning tomorrow when I have to be up bright an early to attend the Serving the Arts Awards presented by the Arts & Business Council of Miami at Actors’ Playhouse in Coral Gables. And on Wednesday night, I’ll be reading my Zip Ode, which I shared in last week’s blog, at Vizcaya Museum & Gardens. Looking forward to that!

Here’s my latest article for Artburst Miami, a guide to available grants for South Florida artists, an idea I came up with in the hopes of helping artists and creatives find resources and funds to make their work.

I’ve also got the Miami Heat game on while I type this. They’re fighting to stay in the playoffs and it’s not looking good :(

Until next weekend… be well.