Bye February, hi March

Spring is almost upon us and the weather continues to be spectacular but we definitely need the rain. Driving back from Merritt Island on Sunday I saw so much dry brush, and some cute cows too I might add. And a belated Happy Birthday to my first born Michael who turned 32 on Feb. 22nd! Love you!

But enough about the weather, here’s what’s transpired since last Friday.

Jetty Park beach on Friday afternoon.

Friday all of us were pretty wiped out so when Elizabeth arrived at the townhouse, she and I spent some time lounging shoreside at Jetty Park where we watched the cruise ships depart. Afterwards, we did a little shopping and went back to the townhouse where she made us all a delicious pasta dinner.

Gopher tortoise at Mitchell Ellington Park

Nick & Vance on the boardwalk at Sam Ellington Park.

Us at Sam Ellington park

Nature trail at Sam Ellington Park

Saturday, after seeing Elizabeth off we made plans for the day. Nick, Vance and I kicked off the day with a walk through Mitchell Ellington Park, which my niece Nicole recommended where we spotted a cute gopher tortoise while walking their expansive nature trail which winds around the entire park and includes a few little ponds. We followed that with lunch at King’s Duck Bar & Grill just a few minutes away. I loved it because they were showing the Olympics so I got to watch that while I enjoyed a delicious fried grouper wrap and a frosty cold beer. The place was pretty empty, probably because we went so late in the afternoon, but that was nice and our server was very friendly.

View from Sam’s House nature trail

Sunset view in Merritt Island on Saturday afternoon.

And I couldn’t end it there, I dragged the two of them on another nature trail, this one at Sam’s House at Pine Island Conservation Area, which we passed on the way to the other park and which my niece had also recommended. We didn’t get much time there because we arrived half an hour before closing time, and I had to drag Nick out of the car but we got to walk their nature trail and stop and take in their waterfront view. And if that wasn’t enough walking, Vance and I took a sunset walk through our neighborhood, just check out the sunset we experienced.

That night, we went to Dolphins Waterfront Bar & Grill at Cape Crossing for dinner. We’ve been to this waterfront restaurant with my niece and her husband and kids so Vance wanted to go back there. The three of us sat at the bar and enjoyed the atmosphere, chatted with the couple sitting next to us and had great service from an attentive bar staff. If you’re in Merritt Island, I recommend you check out all these places.

Not much to report for Sunday through Tuesday except for a decent drive home on Sunday then watching the Olympics closing ceremonies. Back in Miami, I went on a few nice solo walks and on Wednesday night had a blast at trivia with our buddies David and Tony, a couple of regulars at Old Tom’s who we’ve been joining at their booth for like a month now.

There are a couple of events tonight here in North Miami that overlap but that because of the times make it possible to attend both. There’s Jazz at MOCA where self-taught musician and songwriter Kendall “King” Friday is performing and also an exhibition opening at Copperbridge Foundation’s The Copper of “No Seasoning: The Artworks from Seven Afro Descendant Cuban Outsider Artists.” Not only do I love this space but being Cuban-American, this show which will include collage, drawing, sculpture (my favorite) and photography, of works by Cuban artists never exhibited in the U.S., interests me immensely.

Tomorrow morning I’m finally volunteering at Food Rescue’s next Farmer’s Market, this one taking place at Gibson Park in Overtown as part of their Black History Month wellness event. If you can come help out it’s always needed. These farmer’s markets serve the needy community in a dignified way, allowing them to “shop” for free groceries.

Tomorrow night, after Vance and I drop off Nick at his Best Buddies Friendship Ball at Milander Center in Hialeah, we’re gonna grab dinner somewhere nearby using Infatuation Miami’s recent list of recommended restaurants in the area.

Big Trash Animal by artist Bordalo II in Portugal. Photo by Kevin Wutzler.

Pelican, part of “Big Trash Animals” in Portugal by artist Bordalo II. Photo by Kevin Wutzler.

Finally, all the way from Portugal, our friends Kevin and Michelle, Margaret and Phil who are traveling together there, sent me photos and a link to info on artist Bordalo II whose work they saw there and also has his work on display at Wynwood Walls. Above are photos Kevin sent me from Portugal and click on the artist’s name above which is linked to his website to learn more about him.

Additionally, my friend Ita sent me a link of flamingo spottings, a rare occasion at Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. Here’s a link to the Instagram post.

That’s it for this week. Below are some parting shots and my Calendar of Events. Have a great weekend!

Birds on my front yard

My brother Mario, who is looking great by the way, was inspired to send me this selfie wearing his Walk for Peace shirt after I posted a video of the Buddhist Monks on their 2,300 mile Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington DC. Click here to watch the video.

Elizabeth with her roommate Sam behind her and friend Angie living their best life at Universal Studios. They got free passes to the theme park and through UCF. The park was open only to UCF students from 4 p.m. on that day, kind of like a college version of Grad Bash.

Calendar of Events:

Visit Deering Estate, there’s always something going on at the beautiful waterfront attraction. They’ve just introduced a new monthly program Meet the AIRs where you spend the day with their resident artists, getting to know them and viewing their work. Deering also hosts monthly moon viewings (they’ve got one tonight from 5-7 p.m.), night hikes, on the water adventures and special events like the Deering Seafood Festival on April 12.

Tomorrow and Saturday is Open House Miami where several venues and events will be open to the public for free. Click here to read my post and see the list of places participating.

Also this weekend is the St. Sophia Greek Festival at the church on Coral Way, the Orchids & Arts Festival at the Miami Beach Woman’s Club and Farmer’s Markets all around South Florida.