Blog No. 36 of 2025

We welcomed September this past weekend but you wouldn’t know it by our still sticky weather. I hope you enjoyed the three day Labor Day weekend.

I sure did, hosting my sister in law Kerri, her daughter Karli and my daughter Elizabeth at the townhouse in Merritt Island over the long weekend. Kerri came over from Tarpon Springs, Karli from Nashville and Elizabeth from Orlando.

Vance and I, Karli and Nick at 4th St. Fillin Station.

Friday, after picking Karli up at the airport, we had dinner at 4th St. Fillin Station in Cocoa Beach where the food and atmosphere are great. We then grabbed ice cream at the shop that’s attached to the restaurant.

Me, Vance, Kerri, Nick and Karli at Jetty Park Beach.

Nick & Karli at Rusty’s.

Saturday, we waited for Kerri to arrive then the five of us went to the beach at Jetty Park at Port Canaveral followed by lunch at Rusty’s just a few minutes away. The waterfront restaurant is great for watching the cruise ships depart. After some pool time at the townhouse, we went to dinner at Ryan’s Pizza and Pub in Cocoa Village. Then it was ice cream again for dessert, we walked to The Fat Donkey just down the street. Yes, there are no shortage of ice cream shops in these beach towns! And we did way too much eating out!

Shooting hoops after a heavy rain at McLarty Park in Rockledge.

I think I made this one!

Sunday while Karli and Kerri shopped at Cocoa Village, Nick, Vance and I went to McLarty Park in nearby Rockledge and shot some hoops. Later, we said goodbye to Kerri who headed back to Tarpon Springs and welcomed Elizabeth who drove over from Orlando. That night, Vance grilled up a feast on the flat top grill as we watched the Hurricanes beat Notre Dame in a fantastic college football opening game.

Yes, there’s a lot of food mentions in this blog today, I know, I know!

Cousins Elizabeth, Karli and Nick at the Brevard Zoo.

Karli and Elizabeth paddling off in the kayak through the mangroves at the Brevard Zoo.

Monday, Karli, Elizabeth, Vance, Nick and I went to the Brevard Zoo. Karli and Elizabeth kayaked through the zoo’s little mangrove area and we also loved strolling through the various sections at the zoo and even taking the train ride again. Elizabeth and Karli had never been there and really liked it. Elizabeth was quite the tour guide, geeking out with all her animal knowledge.

The remainder of the week in Miami was very quiet, Nick and I even skipped trivia on Wednesday night.

Coming up this weekend, we’re hosting a birthday party for Nick on Sunday since his birthday falls on Wednesday, Sept. 10. We’re having everyone over during the Dolphins game and it will be football themed, of course.

Other than that, I want to share my article on the residency program at Locust Projects which is in this month’s Biscayne Times. Click here to read it.

I may be taking on a new part-time gig and become an Area Director for Aupair Care, something Karli’s been doing for several years now. I applied a few days ago, we’ll see what happens.

And you know I’m going to send you to South Florida on the Cheap, Artburst Miami and the Biscayne Times Arts & Culture and Dish & Drink sections.

Have a great week and see you next Friday!