Lots to catch up on

Nile Rodgers jammin’ on the rhythm guitar.

Hello there!!! I’m here to tell you that last Sunday, June 18 was an amazing night. I got to see Nile Rodgers in concert. Major bucket list check!!! He, along with the British band Bastille, were the opening acts for Duran Duran. I’d never seen any of the bands in concert and I can tell you it was a blast!!! I danced all night and the group of ladies I went with… Michelle, Cathy, Ita, Teri and Heidi… made it even more memorable. So… much… fun.

That was also Father’s Day so during the day, Vance and I made a failed attempt to check out the new Julia and Henry’s Food Hall in Downtown Miami. The line was almost around the block so we opted to check out the Mia Market food hall in the Miami Design District instead. It was a fun, but rainy afternoon. We enjoyed checking out all the bougie stores and Vance had a delicious Asian shaved ice dessert he loved.

Me and George after breakfast at Pura Vida in Miami Shores.

This past week was pretty quiet. It was nice going to church then breakfast with my friend George Neary and also my friend Tom Taylor stopping by with a basket full of mangoes was a treat!

The whole gang at the beach (the little ones were in the water with Grant).

Then on Thursday, we headed to Daytona Beach for our annual Berman/Gulliksen/Martello beach vacation. It was us and Vance’s side of the family. His sister Kerri and her husband Paul and their daughter Karli, son Grant with wife Esther and their two kids Lucas and Levi and their daughter Jenna with husband Mike and their kids Nora and Troy. We spent lots of time poolside, at the beach, laughing and relaxing. Had some great food at Down the Hatch, one of our favorite restaurants in Ponce Inlet.

Boat ride view!

Phil and Vance are all smiles during our boat ride.

Glorious sunrise over Daytona Beach.

I took a wonderful sunrise walk on the beach, took time to write a poem and enjoyed some alone time. One of the highlights of the trip was a boat ride with our friend Phil who took us out on a pontoon boat around New Smyrna Beach. We enjoyed time at a little island beach and then at a sandbar. Really, really fantastic day! Thanks Captain Phil!

The croquetas, empanadas and pastelitos at this place are on point!

Then yesterday on the way home, we made a pit stop in Merritt Island and visited my niece Nicole and her husband Tariq and their kids Mazen and Ramzi. We also stopped to drive around Titusville and saw some gorgeous waterfront homes and when I spotted the Tree of Life Cuban Bakery in a gorgeous building I asked Vance to stop so we could pick up some goodies. I definitely want to return to Titusville and explore some more.

Coming up this week I’m looking forward to our weekly trivia night outing with Kevin and Michelle and then seeing them again on Saturday night for The Cure concert. My best friend Monica’s coming too!

Oh and almost forgot, here’s a link to my article on the Cowboy Bebop Live Tribute show happening this Saturday, July 1 at the Miami Beach Bandshell.

I’ll see you in your inbox on Friday. Until then…