Tension, sadness & relief
That’s what life’s been like since the middle of the week when Hurricane Ian played with my emotions (and everyone else’s in Florida too).
One morning, I woke up to 168 text messages in my family’s group text/chat, the next to 62, and they would keep coming for the rest of the day and the next. With family in Bradenton, Tarpon Springs and Merritt Island, it was a tense few days.
The relief came when those family members, my niece Nicole and her family in Merritt Island, my sister-in-law Kerri and her husband in Tarpon Springs and my nephew Chris and his family in Bradenton, all escaped Ian’s fury unscathed.
We also all wished my niece Elena’s boyfriend AJ a happy birthday yesterday, in that crazy family group chat/text. Elena and AJ are in the middle of hiking the Appalachian Trail and so keeping my fingers crossed that Ian doesn’t affect them. Yes, the thing is still churning away.
Many, many others were not so lucky and that’s where the sadness comes in. But if you’d like to help, The Miami Herald ran an article full of information on places where to donate and/or volunteer and I believe all their articles about Hurricane Ian are accessible without a subscription. Click here to read it.
Aside from Ian the week leading up to this weekend consisted of…
The pretty Angel’s Envy bourbon cocktail with a cute half a fresh fig garnish.
A lovely date night with my husband Vance at Tur Kitchen in Coral Gables where we enjoyed a lovely Turkish meal and delicious cocktails. We vowed at the end of our wonderful evening to return and try more delectable dishes. I’ll take some pictures next time.
All the appetizers from Al Natour, we had quite the feast.
A lunch date with my best friend Monica, also at a great Mediterranean spot, this one in Plantation called Al Natour Middle Eastern Restaurant. We had quite the feast and great conversation. These have become our weekly Thursday outings and they’re really fun.
I also have to share a few nice parting shots of…
Trees, shade and a bright blue sky on my walk this morning.
The view on my beautiful walk this morning in gorgeous cooler weather
Fluffy white and very fat cat.
The fat cat I spotted from my bedroom window while working.
And…as a preview for next weekend, I was introduced to artist George Rodez by my friend George Neary. Rodez has an art exhibition “Split Personality: The Art of George Rodez” opening on Oct. 7 at the lovely Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Click here for info on his show and here to visit George’s website.
That’s all for this week. See ya next Friday!
