<![CDATA[Judy Grillo - Blogger]]>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:53:22 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[You're Living Like A Rockefeller]]>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.judygrillo.com/blogger/youre-living-like-a-rockefeller     Not really, though I’ve returned to Ormond Beach where John D. Rockefeller wintered for more than 20 years.
     I so enjoyed living here with Kim and her two sweet pups last season that I was disappointed when her room listing was nowhere to be found. So, while there were other options, I picked up the phone and she opened her comfy home to me. Her sweet 1955 cottage is in the Ormond by the Sea community that stretches over 7 miles across a barrier island. It definitely feels like the beach life as I can walk just a few blocks to see the sunrise over the Atlantic or the sunset over the Intracoastal.
     During last year’s visit, I assumed it was a one-time thing, so I ran about enjoying most of what the town has to offer – art, history, bookshops, lectures, the 4-corner parks, and of course, beach-time. While I’ve been trying to sit myself down to write the infamous book, this year was busy, too, with two or more items still on my list. I’m thankful for the photos to jog my memory and to share.
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Next up: It’s time to see friends, check my health status, and shake my head at the storage unit on the Maryland Eastern Shore. 
]]><![CDATA[It's Been A Good Run]]>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 23:39:48 GMThttps://www.judygrillo.com/blogger/its-been-a-good-runLiving indoors in Sebastian wasn't the plan, but since it was the only option this season, I spent time revisiting my favorite spots in town and on the inlet.  While I can't say that I'll never return, it was heartbreaking to see the culturicide of this area. So, suppressing my woes and tales, I'm still holding on to the kind people and sweet places I had the privilege of experiencing for more than a decade.  
]]><![CDATA[In Memoriam]]>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:30:10 GMThttps://www.judygrillo.com/blogger/in-memoriamPicture
When I rolled into Florida three months ago, I had a brief stop in Sebastian. Much to my dismay, I had to choose a room because my favorite place to camp was closed and I was unable to reach a soul by phone. Naturally, on my first day, I biked to the nearby State Park to inquire, then left optimistic that I'd return to my home-away-from-home on the Inlet.

As the story goes, the contractor managing the Marina and other related properties, simply walked away. New proposals were in hand and yes, the campground would reopen, too. In January, I tried to get a spot but “this number is not in service” was still the only response. So, once again, I booked a room in the town of Sebastian, then spoke with a Ranger by phone:

R: We are going to open the campground again at the Marina but I don’t think it will be before April or May.
Me: Oh, I’m sorry to say that I’ll miss this wonderful place this year. I’ve been visiting for about a dozen years and I just love it.
R: Well, we hope you’ll be back. We’re changing things up a bit and offering Glamping.
Me: What? No. No. No. (in a whiny voice)
R: Oh, let me tell you about it.
Me: No. (Click.)

If we’ve connected during the past decade, you’re aware of how happy I've been to live in my tent on Sebastian Inlet with the sunrise oceanside and the sunset on the bay. I have hundreds of photos and tales to tell of this special place. It’s where I fell in love with living outdoors.

Honestly, I will be going through the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance – and I’m holding on to the second stage as long as possible. You’ve now been forewarned.
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