New beginnings

Picking up right where I left off last Friday. Let’s start with Saturday when Nick and I headed back to Miami after our weekend in Cocoa Beach/Cape Canaveral/Merritt Island.

L-R, Susy, Martica and Ana at Mari’s 80th party.

My brother Manolo and his wife Bertica.

My nephew Tony and his wife Teri.

Mari out on the dance floor with Nicholas.

We drove directly to my friend Janet’s house for her pumpkin carving party. It was wonderful to see her and our other mutual friends, Madelyn and Betty. We stopped at Target beforehand and brought her a bottle of wine and some Halloween cookies. While there, Nick and I had some of Janet’s delicious chili.

After making our appearance and spending about an hour there, we headed home, showered and changed and left for my sister Mari’s 80th birthday celebration at her Saturday night dance hall/hang out spot Santa Marta. We danced, ate, chatted and celebrated her. Mari was so happy everyone was there. She danced with Nicholas and was all smiles when the Mariachi Band showed up.

On Tuesday, I got to see Janet again when we got together for a bite and a cocktail at Sins Gastrobar in Miami Shores. We enjoyed their tacos and cassava fritters stuffed with pulled pork. I had the Gin-let Breeze cocktail with botanical gin, fresh lime juice, cucumber, pineapple and mint. Absolutely delicious and refreshing.

Kaitlyn, playing the white guitar, with her bandmates at Fall Follies at Carver Middle School.

Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic

Former Miami Heat player Alonzo Mourning shares some words about his former coach Pat Riley during the ceremony.

Wednesday night it was time for another Fall Follies talent show at Carver Middle School where my great niece Kaitlyn performed on guitar. And after that, Nick and I took advantage of the free tickets I was offered to the Miami Heat Game. Although the Heat suffered a devastating loss to the Orlando Magic (97-116!) we got to enjoy the dedication of the court to Miami Heat former Head Coach and President Pat Riley. Lots of former players were there and the halftime ceremony was very moving.

Artist James Brutus speaking at Creative Mornings which was held at the Climate and Innovation Hub space in Little Haiti.

Finally this morning I attended the monthly Creative Mornings where we listened to the vibrant, energetic and passionate local artist James Brutus. Then tonight, Vance, who is home for the weekend after his first week at work and I are dropping Nick off at his program for his Halloween party. We’ll be grabbing dinner at the little Mexican spot we discovered recently that’s right nearby, Taquerias Los Potrillos.

Vance’s nephew Grant (on the right) was in Durham, NC with his wife and two kids and they met up with Michael for brunch.

And I’ll fill you in on everything else that happened this weekend and all of next week in next Friday’s blog.

Until then… thanks for reading!

Josie Gulliksen

Writer, lover of all things cultural, bike rider, nature lover, tree hugger, composter, lover of farmers markets, always working to make the world a better place, empath, avid reader, mom, wife, friend.

https://josiegulliksen.com
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