Good Times in April

 hand...sometimes I get to a point like now where I have too much to write about and not enough motivation to start. That said... I'm going to do my best to give a rundown on April's fun events.
The month started off with a bang when we helped surprise our friend Al on his 50th birthday.

His actual birthday was in March, and he had taken a week long  fishing vacation with some good friends...so he was not expecting anything two weeks later. Somehow his girlfriend managed to keep it a secret...in spite of the fact that everyone who regularly goes to Longdoggers, runs with Al, etc knew about it. Their biggest challenge was convincing him to go out to dinner downtown the night of the surprise party. His mother and his sister were in town for the weekend , but  they  had all started working on him a week or two ahead of time...knowing it would take some time to get him to agree to go out. Someone came up with a convincing argument and they had part two of the plan in place.
While they were a few blocks farther down the street having dinner...all his friends were gathering at a local spot-The Iron Oak Post-

 that was reserved for his party. Decorations were up,

video cued up, DJ ready to go and more and more people arriving every minute. We got word around 8pm that they were having a time trying to get him to "stop for a drink" on the way home. He could not understand why they needed to stop when they could just go home and enjoy a good drink on the pool deck and try out the new fire pit at home!!!! Finally one of them said "we're going!' and he relented.
Meanwhile back at the Iron Oak bar  we were ready. Mary G. had brought a bag full of choir robes from her kids' school...for the group of guys affectionately known as "The Choir Boys".., a name Al gave them years ago.

We dimmed the lights and when they walked in naturally we all yelled "SURPRISE!" Then Mark W. one of the boys...started singing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow!". It was a special moment. Al immediately got choked up. He was so surprised and overcome by all the people that were there to celebrate him...he was speechless...but only for a moment...hahaha! He found the mike soon enough as usual

We had a great time dancing, talking to everyone and just enjoying the great celebration. As for Al...he told everyone that it was one of the best moments of his life.

business partners...LJ and Scotty

Later that month we celebrated Easter morning with sunrise mass at the beach, followed by brunch with family and friends at the Hogg's house.
These people have been family friends for over 40 years and it's always a pleasure to be around them. As the years go by, many of the older generation have passed away , moved away, or for one reason or another are  no longer able to attend...but there are always enough to continue the tradition. Mr. Hogg has not been in great health, and just celebrated his 82nd birthday...but he more than anyone was determined that the party was going to go on! There's a comfort in being around people that have known you since you were a teenager (or younger) and have been through all the ups and downs that life brings. We've all been through the struggles and celebrations...and and one way or another...we are still making it. I also heard a few stories about my parents that I don't remember ever having heard before...as well as the stories of the crazy costume parties they participated in back when we were the kids...hahaha Hearing one of my parents old friends telling me how much she respected my Dad for his intelligence and his unstoppable wit...was fun. she also told me about how they had all been through trial and tribulations...themselves, or their children or both...and how through it all they all managed to hang in there. But...she pointed out that my mother, and another great friend Joan M., were the "go to" people when someone needed a good friend to hear them out, help them out, figure out to go forward during a difficult time. For me that was such a compliment...I knew my mother was always a good friend...but had never heard that from this particular person. As Mrs. T said "Your mother had her own problems, as we all did...but I can't tell you how much she meant to all of us. How much she helped us when we needed it"

the younger generation-some of us

The following week Brenna and I went to the Melbourne Art Festival at it's new location in Wickham Park. The weather was nice and I think we both agreed that it was a good spot for the show going forward. After years of being in Downtown Melbourne...there was a lot of resistance  when the move was announced. Some people vowed never to go again, etc...all in all...we both thought it was a nice spot with plenty of room for the artists, music, food booths, etc. *I still remember when we were disappointed that it was moving downtown after years of being held in Indialantic...but we survived the move...hahaha. and we will again.
Lastly  we had a visit from my sister Liz and her friend Jon. It was a quick 3 day visit...which she packed in as much as possible...hahaha. I always like having company...and enjoyed having breakfast ath the local spot with them and trying out a new place in Cocoa Beach.

We also had a fun cookout at our house thanks mostly to John who organized everything, set the table, called everyone and caught fish! I had to work until 5:15...so I wavered when he brought up the idea...but between him and Liz and Jon...it was all ready to go when I got home. David, Mark, Paul and Tracy, as well as Brenna and Josh joined us. At the last minute...some friends of Jon's daughter (in Virginia) who just happen to live in Palm Bay currently also joined us. The weather was great, the fresh fish was great and the company was even better. Good times! Glad John persisted!!