*Part of - Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge - series Holy cow folks! Here’s my first dining review since the world went ahead and changed on us all… Today, I’ll be visiting an adorable local cafe in Jax Beach. And the only difference between this visit and any other dining review I present you with… is the fact that this is my first review since life as we all knew it imploded before all our very eyes. Yep, we’ve all been thrown for a total loop these last many weeks. And things are only getting stranger and stranger each and every day. And hour by hour. I’m thinking to myself… Maybe we’ve finally gone through the other side of that Black Hole I constantly theorize about. Or - a wormhole? Or maybe we’ve even been teleported to the edge of the universe. And then jumped right over into our real and true multiverse? Either that, or it’s just another day on this - our good buddy - Earth. Yes, Mother Nature is challenging us. And we are at war - with a virus. Either way, as I’ve said since the very beginning and even before that. I’m still going to live my life. I’m going to be alive - when I’m alive. I’m not going to be afraid. And I’m not going to cower. Don’t get me wrong - I’m still going to be safe. I’m still going to follow the guidelines set forth by our leaders. I’m simply not going to panic…. And I will keep living my life. Thus, what I mean is - I’m still going to go about my day. My job outside the home is still open. I work at what the government is now deeming an essential business during this crazy crisis. So I HAVE to leave the home. But I’m extremely happy to do it, and I would be doing it anyway. So in a way, I’m still technically living my “normal” life - while surrounded by much un-normalness. And I’m extremely grateful for my job. Even as things change now by the week, by the day, by the hour, and by the minute. Literally. And during my shift, I am also grateful now more than ever for my lunch break. And each day on my break, I’ve been trying to support an area business to grab some quick food. I have one hour to patronize a local drive-thru. I have one hour to get a drink of coffee or iced tea or some drive-thru food or take out, or drop-in-your-trunk food. And then get myself back to work, and back to sweating my behind off. But like I said - I’m still living. So Sunday Morning in America… I start my day. And I checked my social media as I usually do. I happened to see today's muffin specials at The Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry, located @ 115 5th Street South in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. This cafe is the absolute cutest place in town. I’ve been before. But I’ve never been during the Apocalypse...I’ve never been during WW19. So, I’ll give it a whirl, I thought. And better yet, I’ll go, and then tell you all about it. So that you can also consider giving them a whirl on your next morning looking to support a local business, and when you want a fabulous cappuccino too. So according to Facebook and Instagram, The Muffinry was currently open and inviting us to come on over and pick up some take-out. While indoor dining is not allowed at any restaurant in the state of Florida right now, lots and lots of restaurants, coffee shops, diners, cafes, etc. are still trying to stay alive. They are trying to keep their operations up and running. But most of all and very importantly, they are trying to keep America both alive and fed during this Conona Crisis, and at the same time, keep our spirits up. The very least I can do is try to patronize local businesses in return. After all, I gotta eat any way you slice my ugly muffin. So, on this beautiful day at the beach, we went for a lovely walk. The sea mist was beautiful and refreshing. Lots of people out and about walking and biking on the local strip. Countless dogs being walked. And as we approached The Muffinry, I saw people picking up their order and walking to their cars. The beautiful and picturesque exterior of the cafe is beyond charming. I was so appreciative of everything I saw. Life was happening - still - all around me. Yes, any day and every day can be the best day of one’s life. The Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry is housed in an absolutely charming old house. About a block from the beach. And yes once again, their location is beyond priceless. Surrounded by other homes, condos, sidewalks, and inviting and open parks, with the ocean on the horizon, The Ugly Cupcake has all the feels that perfectly define the local beach community here in Jax. They have outdoor seating tables and chairs and umbrellas. Now just sitting there - waiting to be used when life is “normal” again. When we can un-social distance ourselves from one another. The property entryway is lined with a white picket fence post front gate, which welcomes you into their front yard. We were greeted immediately, outside at the front porch. They welcomed us inside and said we could come in if we wanted. We went in to pay and their payment Square is just inside the open front door anyway. But they have it set up to pay that you’re “inside” but not inside the building if you don’t need or want to go any further. While we obviously could not eat inside, I have been here many times, and never have eaten inside. The outside is sooo adorable, and besides, it’s Florida y’all. We are always outside anyway. Always, such a friendly establishment every time I’ve been - but this day was even better. I was so glad we could chat with them a bit, before continuing on our walk back home. They informed us they have yet to lay off even one employee - as of my visit on Sunday, March 22. And that they are actively donating during this crisis through their newly implemented program entitled “Muffin But Love” - and I just love that. They are truly helping pay if forward in this great time of need. 100% of the gratuity added to each check is being used entirely to pay it forward. So, if you go, please tip what you can give. They are putting that money to make food to pass on to those in the local community who have been affected by this new and unforeseen crisis, such as business and restaurant and bar workers who have since found themselves abruptly unemployed. And While The Ugly Cupcake has recently since been restricting their dining to take-out throughout the Corona Crisis, they have still been publicizing daily on their social media about their daily muffin specials. Fresh and very healthy muffins made fresh daily. And on a somewhat sad note, according to their social media, starting this week they are closing their doors to customers almost entirely for the unforeseen future of this crisis. They will still be available, but through online order, with pick-ups once or twice a week. As they are trying to do their part to limit interactions and help stop the spread. But on a positive note - this is adaptation. This is the way forward. This is innovation. To stay alive. To stay functioning. We all must change in some way to persevere in an ever-changing environment. If you’re local during this crisis, please consider this wonderful and friendly and local community small business establishment. The next time you need a meal to go, a meal at home that you are too tired to cook for, or simply need to get out of your self-quarantine for a bit when going to the grocery store or pharmacy. Go ahead and place an online order. Stop by and pick up during the scheduled times they set. The Ugly Cupcake has lots of other foods beyond muffins. I’ve had it all before. And I’ll be happy to come back and review their hot menu for y’all once their kitchen is open to the public again. But for purposes of this visit, we got their basics. We picked up a bag of muffins and two coffees. Specifically, we ordered two blueberry muffins and two double chocolate muffins. I then ordered a large 16 oz. cappuccino and hubby ordered and the large cold brew iced coffee with some really cool coffee ice cubes inside it - the creative way of not having one’s cold coffee get watered down is genius to coffee fans. And, of course, because it would not be a visit to the Muffinry without something special happen, they sent us away with a dog muffin as a treat. What a special place in our local community. And as I write this review with joy and love and happiness, I can’t help but feel the sadness still ahead of us through this pandemic. An economic and societal crisis that is really only truly beginning. The ripple effect of everything that has occurred is sending shock waves throughout the world. To receive the doggy muffin during such times touched my heart. I’ll be back. When they open up again. I’ll be back for a full and thorough dining review - with a hot breakfast out on the porch. Oh yeah - side note - while we could not go upstairs this day due to the statewide indoor dining ban, The Muffinry does have an upstairs, outdoor porch. Breathtaking views await us all at their reopening. In the interim, if you’re here in town, go ahead and place a take-out order. Help pay it forward to our wonderful and amazing local community when you add gratuity to your check. Say hello. Say thank you. Stop to have a conversation. Remembering all the humans that are part of our shared and beautiful humanity, while you have yourself a very large - and very ugly - muffin. ~
*Have you been to The Ugly Cupcake? What small businesses are you supporting during this Corona Apocalypse? I’d love to know. Drop me a comment down below: Hey there, my fellow cupcake lovers - here’s some more local bakery, diner, and coffee shop reviews for you, all located right here in the Jax, FL area: 9] Sago Coffee: A Cup Of Friendly & Flavorful Florida *Part of ~ Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge ~ 16] Beach Diner ~ If You Feed Them They Will Come 19] Another Broken Egg Cafe ~ A Taste Of NOLA @ The Beach 21] Cinotti’s ~ And Why Life Is Too Short To Not Eat Donuts 39] The Very Official & Quite Serious Donut Debate Of 2020 48] Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia 50] Sundays Are For Diners ~ Super Diners 57] First Watch on the First Coast Plus - check out these other fun adventures below - all from my Floridian Dreams: 2] 3 Wows Plus 1 Piece Of Magic I Experienced At Jacksonville, Florida’s Cummer Museum Of Art & Gardens 3] The Dog Days Of Endless Summer 8] It’s Fall ~ In Florida ~ Y’all! 11] Eleven South Bistro & Bar ~~ Supper Club Of The South 12] Paint N’ Pints @ Intuition Ale Works ~ Downtown Jacksonville, FL 14] Finding Trinkets & Treasures @ The Jax Beach Vintage Flea Market 15] V Pizza ~ The Very Best Pizza In Jax Beach! *Part of ~ Bean’s Best ~ Award Winner 2019 18] Sea & Sky Jax Weekend ~ Fun In The Florida Sun, Sea, Sky & Sand 22] Saturday On San Pablo Island 31] Tuesday’s On First Street ~ The Jax Beach Art Walk ~ 32] Jolly Holiday In Jarboe Park ~ The Beaches Green Market 36] The End Of A Decade & My New Year’s Wish To You ~ 40] Visiting The Florida Cracker Kitchen ~ Jacksonville 44] Nothing Finer Than Coffee In The Keys ~ The Coffee Plantation Cafe 45] Dessert First, My Friends ~ Cantina Louie 52] Keeping Cool - And Creamy ~ In Key West 53] Totally Terrific & Tasty Thai @ Blue Orchid Thai Cuisine 54] Um, Open @ Angie’s Subs
0 Comments
A funny thing happened last Saturday night. The Earth went through a black hole, and came out the other side, roughly an hour into the future. Either that, or we all jumped at once, head first, into Daylight Savings Time. Ahhh - the time change. Spring ahead. Bleh Bleh Bleh. Fall behind. Blah Blah Blah. And spring ahead, once again... Is it all God’s way of laughing at us? Is he in charge? Or are we? After all, us humans are the silly ones who invented the logistics of changing the clock. Sometimes I think the whole time change thing is the universe's way of treating the Earth like a snowglobe. Or God - he picks up the Earth, with both his large hands, and gives it a big shake, jostling everything and everybody around. And just to really mess around with us, he does it not only once, but freaking TWICE a year. Then laughs at us. All while watching the snow fall. Personally, I think the time change is a whole buncha silly nonsense… an outdated notion - and way past its time - no puns intended - sorta concept. In this era of sheer technological innovation, and where lights can remain on all evening and then late into the morning if one wants, do we really need this twice a year time warp? To save light? Of course some say yes. But more and more people, and many governments included, are stepping onto the #freezetheclock bandwagon. Also - are bandwagons outdated as well? So…. yeahhhhhh. The time changed. And with that the whole world was thrown for a little loop. Household pets and animals were confused. Babies and children’s routines were abruptly interrupted. Everything changed - once again. But I can tell you one, little, minor, insignificant detail that for sure did NOT change because of Daylight Savings Time… and that’s food. Cause every BODY has to eat. So, we awoke Sunday morning. To greet the new day. The sun rose at a different time. We watched the shiny and happy orb situate itself in the sky amongst the clouds at a different angle at a different time. We adjusted the digital clock above the microwave to the new, correct time - cause, if you can’t beat em, join em, right? And, also with that act of stepping into the kitchen… and just like every other morning on the face of this planet, our tummies got hungry. Nope - the time change did not mess with our stomachs, at least. It was then decided that going out to breakfast was going to be a fabulous way to start our new day. We made the executive decision to finally try First Watch. A daytime, breakfast cafe, headquartered in the Sunshine State. And with locations in 26 states and still growing, we were excited to finally give it a whirl. So our tummies lead the way. To the Cafe. Apparently the whole world had the same idea as us, as even the hosts and hostesses commented that they were inundated with guests at a different time than they normally are… Located @ 13470-1 Beach Boulevard in Jacksonville, Florida, First Watch is known as The Daytime Cafe. And with hours appropriately matching the daytime hours in the Eastern Time Zone of the United States, and then closing their doors well before the sun ever decides to set, the slogan makes a whole lot of sense, even if the time change itself doesn’t. And for those who live an hour behind me in Central time, like Chicagoans, good news is on the way to you - via way of a wormhole. Chicagoland is set to open its first First Watch in the fall of 2020. Right in one of my favorite suburbs - Oak Brook! So with hoards of people all going out to eat on Sunday, we had a wait. But we didn’t mind. They had chairs both inside and out for waiting. And menus to puruze to pass the time. I also took note that First Watch has its own cookbook, published and for sale in the lobby. And, of course, I had to check out the bags of coffee for sale to take home. I must admit I was tempted, but did not purchase. After all, I already have a lifetime supply of Folgers back at home. Or do I? Once seated in the crowded and friendly and Edison lit dining room, we were both immediately served hot coffee, priced at $2.89 per mug. With the fresh pot then left at our table for our convenience. And, by the way, I am absolutely in love with the old-fashioned jug our water was served from. I must buy one of the same shape some day. I ordered the traditional breakfast with bacon at a cost of $10.99. And it was worth every reasonable penny. First, there was whole wheat toast topped with whipped butter. Why is bread ALWAYS better in a restaurant? The bacon was out of this world, and the best bacon I ever ate, other than at The Ice Plant in St. Augustine - Let me know if you'd like me to reinvestigate that place, by the way? All for the sake of the written word of course - and not at all because of the free samples they so happily pass out. And the potatoes! Don’t even get me started on the potatoes. Well, ok, here goes anyway. Did your grandfather cook you fried potatoes with butter and onions when you were a child? Did he allow you to eat samples fresh and hot off the skillet, while they were frying? Did you then consume the whole pan of potatoes and then could easily still eat more? Did you then grow up, and forever miss those fried potatoes you so freely consumed in your youth? Well, I found us those grandfather-fried-potatoes, folks. Even though my grandfather is now long since passed. Turns out they were sitting right here in Florida all along. Just waiting for me to come find them. Maybe they thought I went into an alternative universe, and it was going to take me seven million light years to find them. But I found them, gosh darn it! Yes, that’s right. If you’ve been looking for fried potatoes like Grandpa used to make, First Watch is the place to go to. I’ve been to A LOT of diners. And I’ve never had any fried potatoes that tasted this terrific. And let’s not forget about the eggs. ‘Eggs are eggs.’ As they say on Seinfeld. All kidding aside, the eggs were fabulous as well. Seasoned and garnished and perfectly scrambled... yes, they are eggs, but better than I could ever make at home. And onward to the hubbies plate - he ordered the same coffee and the classic eggs Benedict at a price of $11.79, plus a side of four slices of bacon at $4.89. A picture perfect platter. Our total check came to $35.80 with tax, plus a tip. I would for sure go back to First Watch in a heartbeat. And am already planning to visit the Jax Beach location at my earliest opportunity - located in the Marsh Landing shopping complex. I’d highly recommend you go ahead and plan a visit as well. If you’re just passing through Jax, you’ll be able to feast on a fabulous breakfast to start your day. And if you’re local to the area, I’m sure you'll want to be planning your next visit as quickly as I am planning mine. But just as quickly as I’d like to jump aboard the next bandwagon on over to the diner, I’d rather just as quickly leave the time change gathering dust behind me. ~
Have you been to a First Watch? I’d love to know. Drop me a comment down below. Also, here’s some more diner reviews for y’all: 16] Beach Diner ~ If You Feed Them They Will Come 19] Another Broken Egg Cafe ~ A Taste Of NOLA @ The Beach 40] Visiting The Florida Cracker Kitchen ~ Jacksonville 50] Sundays Are For Diners ~ Super Diners Y’all may also enjoy: 39] The Very Official & Quite Serious Donut Debate Of 2020 48] Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia 54] Um, Open @ Angie’s Subs 55] The Shamrock 3/6/2020 0 Comments #55) The ShamrockOne day - a day that started like any other - I was walking the beach. My beach. My Atlantic Ocean. The eastern seaboard of the United States. Walking along the Atlantic coastline was always the best way to start a fabulous day ahead of me. It was morning. Low tide. Very. Low tide. I followed the tide lines. I walked, and I walked. I had a bag for collecting shells, as I always do. My eyes - searching every which way. Looking for shark teeth. Looking for the best shell God ever created. Looking, searching… for treasure. Treasure - of any kind. And then, NOT just like any other day, I spotted something out of the corner of my eye. Was it a shark's tooth? No way, I thought. It couldn’t possibly be. I had only come across two shark teeth in three years of Coastal Living. The odds were against me, greatly. Or the luck. So, as I always do, I walked ahead to check out what caught my eye... what was resting amidst the sand. In the seaweed and brush washed ashore. What was resting among all the tiny and shiny shells? It was a Shamrock. A clover? At the beach? It must have been a fake. Yes, some sort of garbage, washed ashore from distant lands? Fake, plastic flowers? Of course, I thought. I’ve seen all kinds of one and anothers garbage wash ashore. But that was mostly only after large storms or hurricanes had just passed through. Today, and all the previous days beforehand, were perfect. Florida. Winter. Perfect. There were no recent storms. I bent over. I kneeled in the sand and crumbled shells. The skin on my knees pressing onto the rough sandpaper feel of the sand itself. I examined the specimen before me. I blinked. Trying to refocus my eyes on what lay before me. The sunlight was now blinding my vision - light reflecting off the sand and water, making my ability to see the details of the clover challenging. I blinked again. Yes, it was a Shamrock. And actual living and breathing Shamrock. Resting on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. I reached over to it and I picked it up. And I was instantly transported to some new and unfamiliar place - very far away from home. Where was I? I was so confused. What just happened? I was standing inside a Cafe. People around me, everywhere. Friendly conversation, at a most peaceful volume. A calming sound of chatter. Chit-chat. Every table was full. All were talking with one another. Reading books. Scanning the local paper. Chatting with the barista. The building was old, with a low ceiling, and exposed, wooden beams, seemingly holding the roof in place on top of us all. The semi-large room had a very aged, yet warm, and inviting, heavenly appearance. Warped, dark cherry red wooden walls. Photos and paintings and drawings and sketches covering most of the empty space along each wall. Detailed, and shiny baseboards, enveloping all that wood surrounding us. Very dark wood floorboards. And looking up, I noticed the most gorgeous crown molding I ever saw. Crown molding fit for a grand, old, theater lobby. With another shiny glaze of paint atop that wood as well. Where was the beach? Where was my Atlantic Ocean? Built-in bookcases intermixed amongst the walls of the shop. I love books. I was standing directly in the queue for coffee. I love coffee. I looked down. My left hand held my bag of shells. Sea shells of the Atlantic coast. Where was my Atlantic Ocean? Where in the world was I? My other hand also held onto something. Something much lighter. Still looking down, I looked directly to my right hand. I slowly raised my hand up. I uncurled my fingers to see what I felt inside my hand. I tried to open my fingers - they were in a tight grip. After much concentration, my fingers finally opened to show me what I was carrying. I was holding on tightly to The Shamrock. Slightly shocked and confused at the sight of The Shamrock… I gasped. My body shook with this audible gasp. My hand moved abruptly; and during that shake, it was then that I dropped The Shamrock. Not even a millisecond had gone by, when, “You dropped something, Mam,” said a man in line behind me, very politely. At the same time of his words, he bent down and picked up The Shamrock, for me. After picking it up, he paused, still bending over. He was looking at The Shamrock. The Shamrock cupped inside his right hand. Still paused. I thought I heard him gasp? As if in shock? After a short while, the man finally stood up. I disregarded the gasp I thought I heard him make. “You better hold onto this very tightly, Mam.” Huh? I thought. Looking at him, thoroughly confused and unaware. “You have something very special here... Try not to lose it.” Still confused, I thanked him for picking it up and giving it back to me. He handed me back The Shamrock and I accepted it. I once again cupped it in the palm of my right hand. He smiled. And then I turned forward in line again, my eyes glancing at the menu; but my thoughts on the brief conversation that I just had with a stranger. Those thoughts were interrupted, when, “Next.” Said the barista, with a large smile on her face. Looking at me. “What can I get for you today? Would you like to try our Irish Coffee?” “Yes,” I instantly said. And then I was very confused, once again, as to how quickly I agreed to a drink I never drink. “That will be $3.00, please,” said the barista. I looked down at my hands again. Where was my purse? My wallet? I moved my shell bag and hung it onto my right arm; the arm of the hand that held The Shamrock. My right hand gripped tightly on the small and delicate clover. I used my left arm to reach into my pocket. And I pulled out some cash. I felt the cash in my hand and stared at it as I brought the cash up toward the counter. I was as confused about the cash as I was over the sight of The Shamrock in my other hand. I never have cash on me. Ever. Where did this money come from? So, very confused once again, I dropped the crumpled bills onto the counter. “Thank you,” said the barista, with a smile. “Have a seat anywhere you like, and we’ll bring your drink out to you in just a few minutes.” I turned. Wondering where I was going to sit because all the tables were full. In the far corner of the Cafe, surrounded by books, I saw an empty table. I made my way through the crowded tables and chairs, over to the empty table, and sat down. With a sigh. There were three chairs at the table. I sat in the corner, middle chair. My back to all the books behind me. I love books. I placed my bag of shells onto the wooden chair to my left, next to the crowd of people sitting around me at the other tables. My other hand - my right hand - still held The Shamrock. For the first time since I dropped the clover while I was standing in line, I let it out of my hand. I delicately placed The Shamrock on the cherry red, round, wooden table. To my right. Next to and facing the window. I looked at it. I stared at it. I looked up. I looked around me. Everyone around me still chatting. Smiling. Reading books. Flipping the pages of the local paper. A couple sitting next to me got up to leave. They left a newspaper on the table. I followed their walk to the front door with my eyes. I was watching them as they were going to leave the shop; but then, they did something very strange... They didn’t leave the shop. They simply got back in line. To order again? Another coffee? Another Irish Coffee? Yes, they were waiting in line. Starting all over again. Why would they leave their newspaper and table for someone else to claim it, if they were staying for another round? I heard the barista say to them, “Hello. What can I get for you today?” Assuming they were new customers. “Scones…. coffee….? A newspaper?” But they had already read the paper. The paper they left on the table. The paper. Instinctively, I leaned over and grabbed the paper, but very gently. I laid it atop my table, to the left of The Shamrock. I was, for some unknown reason, treating the newspaper as delicately as I treated The Shamrock. The date at the very top of the paper read: March 17 [no year] St. Patrick’s Day. Then, under the date, in large black print, the paper read: Doolin, Ireland. The Doolin Daily. Ireland? What is going on? How did I get here? I stopped my gaze on the newspaper. I didn’t read even one story. I stared at The Shamrock. I quickly glanced out the window. Little shops and businesses surrounded me outside. And beyond the shops, and heading out toward the horizon, there rested, in all its heavenly glory, the Atlantic Ocean. I only saw a bit of salty water, peeking through the buildings and landscape, and the initial appearance of it was very different than it was back at home, but somehow I knew it was my Atlantic Ocean, instinctively. I looked around the interior of the Cafe. I looked at The Shamrock. I drank my coffee. It was the best coffee I ever had. I gulped it down until it was gone. I wanted more. The barista instantly came over and refilled my cup of Irish Coffee. I looked up at her, confused. “Free refills during your length of stay,” she smiled at me, sincerely. Just come on up to the counter if you’d like to try something different. Free refills? Luck of the Irish? I pondered in my head. I watched as the couple who were in queue again placed another order. I was too far away and it was just a tad too loud in the Cafe for me to hear what they ordered. Obviously they were trying something new? They didn’t order Irish Coffee with free refills? I reached into my pocket for my IPhone. I had to call my husband. Was I dreaming? My phone wasn’t there. In its place was a pocket full of shells. My phone was not with me here. Inside this Cafe. I looked at everyone around me, and in front of me. I was going to ask someone if I could borrow their phone. Yet, not one person had theirs out. They were all either deep in thought, chatting, or reading. And smiling. I did not want to bother any of the customers. They were all deeply involved in what they were doing at their own tables. Never mind about the phone, I thought. I’ll wait a bit. And then, when someone pulls out their phone, I’ll go up to them and inquire to borrow it. I waited. And waited. And I waited. I sat there for hours. In the Cafe. Not one person pulled out a phone. People came and went throughout this time. But they never really left. They merely ordered again, and switched tables. An entire day passed. But I didn’t seem to mind? Smiling - saying hello. Saying goodbye. Thanking the barista on the way out of queue. The Barista - smiling at every patron, on both their way in and on their way out, of queue. The world around me was at peace, I thought. Inside this quaint little Cafe. A Cafe I didn’t even know the name of. Only after the entire day had passed did I realize that not once did I ever really physically attempt to actually LEAVE the Cafe myself. I was really and truly enjoying my time in this lovely little coffee shop. I had not tried to leave. We were now approaching the Golden Hour. Still soooo, very confused. Hours later. I couldn’t leave. Yet I also knew I couldn’t stay. I had to get home. My dog and husband would be wondering where I was by this point in the day. Having never come home from my walk along the coast since early that morning. What time was it? Certainly, my husband was trying to get in touch with me? Of course. But I didn’t have my phone. I looked around the Cafe again. No one argued. No one yelled. No one cut in line. Everyone waited their turn - with patience. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their drink, and no one complained. No one crabbed about the taste of their drinks, or about the very friendly, yet somewhat slow, service. And the Barista just kept smiling. And yet, still, during all these hours, I hadn’t read anything in the newspaper resting in front of me, except the top header. Finally, I flipped the paper over and I read the headline on the bottom front half. It was an editorial story. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day. In large, bold, black, and Times New Roman font, the paper read: “The Shamrock & The Holy Trinity ~ how the small three leaf clover became a symbol of God himself.” I put the paper down, once again. I didn’t read the story. I didn’t need to... In the past, I had heard about what The Shamrock symbolizes. I knew offhand that each of the three leaves represents the following: The Father. The Son. & The Holy Spirit. So, I thought about The Shamrock. And I thought... I thought about the Cafe. I looked at the Barista, who was still smiling. I thought about how I could not seem to get up and leave the Cafe. I was still sitting in this same chair, after hours and hours had gone by. I looked out the window. The sun was starting to set. I still could not find a cell phone, I still did not call my husband. But I also just now fully realized that I did not make much of an effort during these past hours to get out of my seat, to walk around the Cafe, or even ask one person if I could borrow their phone. I never actually tried to leave the Cafe. Not once, in all these hours. I was at peace in the Cafe. I enjoyed my time here. A simple and relaxing time. A time and place where everyone was happy. And everyone was at peace with themselves and the world around them. Focused on the present moment. Focused on the here and now. Not rushing onto their next errand or appointment or other destination, but happy and content to be where they were, presently. I looked to my left, on the chair next to me. My drawstring bag of shells. I’d like to get them home and put them in the kitchen sink to soak for a while. To wipe off all the excess dirt and sand. Home. It was the first time I actually truly wanted and desired to leave the Cafe - to really get back home. And in that next instant, I looked up, to my right, and out the window. The Golden Hour was now upon us. Shoppers were carrying packages. Paper shopping bags with large handles. Green and gold and shiny bags, with tissue sticking out the top. Themed for the holiday. Amongst the carefree crowd, I saw a man, and a dog. Walking together. I watched them with the sun back-lit surrounding their shapes. They appeared to me as black silhouettes. Floating in the coastal winds. They walked closer. As they inched toward the Cafe and came into light, closer to me and toward my window. I noticed the two silhouettes were my husband and my dog. They had found me! Without a cell phone. Without a text. Without an email. How had they found me, across the world from the shores of the Atlantic Ocean? In a Cafe. In Ireland. I stood up. I went to gather my things and run out the door. To make my first real and physical attempt to leave the Cafe that day. I refolded the newspaper and placed it nicely aside on the table, leaving it for the next customer, just as the table next to me had done when they got up hours ago. I picked up my shells. I stared at The Shamrock. I bent over one last time to pick up the small and delicate clover. When The Shamrock was in my hand, I looked at it, resting in my palm. Ready to leave. And then, I looked up. My husband and my dog were standing directly in front of me. Inside the Cafe. In front of my table. Both smiling at me. “How did you find me?” I gasped. Smiling back at them. Breathless. Shocked. And thoroughly confused. “Easy,” laughed my husband. “They have the best coffee this side of the Atlantic,” he paused. “And free refills,” he declared. So matter-of-factly. “Where else could you possibly be?” He reached for my right hand with his hand. Dog leash in his other hand. The Shamrock was tucked neatly inside my right palm. He grabbed my hand gently. The Shamrock now gripped inside both our palms. Both our fingers weaved together, holding The Shamrock securely in place in both our hands. I wondered if my husband even knew or felt its presence, I thought. And then I thought - I have a lot to tell him. Even though I had nothing to say really, about my very simple day. We started walking, headed for the front door. Finally. Our furry creature barked with happiness. In agreement with our action. She then easily led the way toward the front door of the Cafe. Guiding our way to an unknown future. We laughed. We pushed in unison to open the front door. It was stuck. All three of us stopped. We pushed again. No movement. Was it jammed? All the customers in the shop stopped their conversation, and had their eyes on us. My dog barked. The door wouldn’t budge. Was it locked from the inside? I turned around to face The Barista. At the very same moment, she said to me, “You have to give it a little kick, and then it’ll open just fine,” she smiled. So simply. So calm. So matter-of-fact. All the patrons looked at her as she spoke, and then looked quickly back at us. I thought I saw a hint of confusion in their eyes. Then, they all turned away. And began chatting with one another again. My dog barked again. I said, “O. K.” And I gave the door a little kick. It didn’t budge. But the force of impact hurt my knee. We both pushed on the door, it wiggled just a bit, and we saw it had some momentum, but was still clearly stuck in the shut position. My dog barked. Impatient, and ready to walk outside. So, I stood back just a tad, to gain what little momentum I could, and then pushed forward and kicked my right leg into the door with all my strength. The door slammed open. A wave of fresh and salty air rushed into the warm Cafe. I inhaled. And smiled. My dog barked again, and this time she kept barking. She was very excited. All three of us walked out. Walking forward. Me, having no clue where I really was. But I didn’t care. Yes, I really could care less. All the confusion stopped as I walked out the door and into the coastal air. I inhaled the salty breeze. I was at peace. I was calm. I was patient. I was so very happy. I knew not what was around the next corner. I knew there were cliffs at the edge of this small town. Cliffs that overlooked the other, unfamiliar, and far away side of my Atlantic... Cliffs that shared the same water as my Atlantic, thousands of miles away. I saw a sign in a corner window of a small restaurant across the way. Free refills with drink purchase. The window of the restaurant was warm and inviting and enticing. Yet… How would we get home? Where were we going? And most importantly, where was my IPhone?... Ahh, hush, I told my brain. I really didn’t care. I kept walking the pebbled street. My feet heading in the direction of the neighboring restaurant. I held on tight. To my family. And to The Shamrock.~
What do you love most about St. Patrick’s Day? I’d love to know. Drop me a comment down below: And, for more stories straight from all of Christine’s Floridian Dreams, check out the links below. Plus, you can sign up to be a SunShine Subscriber while you’re at it, ya know: 2] 3 Wow Plus 1 Piece Of Magic I Experienced At Jacksonville, Florida’s Cummer Museum Of Art & Gardens 18] Sea & Sky Jax Weekend ~ Fun In The Florida Sun, Sea, Sky & Sand 21] Cinotti’s ~ And Why Life Is Too Short To Not Eat Donuts 23] Faith ~ And Life Lessons Learned Living With Wild & Untamable Hair 24] In Real Life ~ My First Visit To A Southern Living Idea House 26] Deck The Chairs ~ BE THAT CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THIS OUR VERY OWN AND SHAREABLE WORLD 34] Merry Christmas ~ And How To Buy For That Person On Your List Who Saved Your Life ~ 36] The End Of A Decade & My New Year’s Wish To You ~ 41] Minnie The Daschund Mouse & Her Birthday Wish 49] A Picture Worth A Thousand Words ~ Happy Valentine’s Day, World 51] Life Is Full Of Pasta-Bilities ~ Bean’s Red Sauce Recipe |
Archives
March 2024
CategoriesAll 100th YouTube Video 15K National Championship 2020 26.2 With Donna 5K Race 9/11 A1A Acosta Bridge Acrylic On Canvas Advent Calendars Adversity Afghanistan Alan Roberts Al Carius Alligator All Wheel Drive Amanda Moon Art Amelia Island Amelia Island Coffee America Amtrak Amtrak Silver Service Angeletti Cookies Angies Grom Angies Subs Anna Maria City Pier Anna Maria Island Another Broken Egg Cafe Appetizer Apple Watch Arlington Lions Club Park Art Atlantic Beach Atlantic Beach Arts Market Atlantic Ocean Auto Ferry Autumnal Equinox Autumn In Florida BabylissPro Hair Straightener Bacon Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts Basic Invite Bay Breeze Cottages Beach Boulevard Beach Cottage Beach Diner Beach Diner Ponte Vedra Beach Beaches Art Fest Beaches At Vilano Beaches For Australia Beaches Go Green Beaches Green Market Beaches History Museum Beaches Museum Beaches Oktoberfest Beaches Town Center Beans Baking Series Beans Basement Bash Beans Best Award Winner Beans Coffee Shop Challenge Beans Recipes Beef Stew Before And After Beignets BEPREADY BeYou Jewelry Big Talbot Island State Park Birthday Black Friday Blackhawk Bluff Blue Angels Blue Bloods Blue Cypress Fishing Pier Blue Orchid Thai Cuisine Boxty Bradenton Beach Breakfast Review Breezy Coffee Shop Brewery Review Bridge Of Lions Bryan Pieper Bucee's Cafe Du Monde Cantina Louie Carnival Cruise Line Carnival Elation Casa Monica Resort & Spa Castaway Island Preserve Castillo De San Marcos Cat Cafe Celebration Celebration Florida Cell Phone Chaunies Coffee Truck Cheap Holiday Photo Cards Chicago Food Chicago Pizza Chili Recipe Chocolate Chip Cookies Christmas Christmas Day Christmas Decor Christmas Eve Christmas In The South Christmas Pop Up Bar Christmas Tree Church Cinottis Bakery Jax Beach City Of Jacksonville Florida Special Events Civil War 2.0 Clover Coffee Coffee Plantation Cafe College Columbia Restaurant Comfort Compass Contagion Content Creator Cookies Cook With Me Corinne Crabtree Corona Coronavirus CoVid19 Crane Island Crescent City Crescent Lake Crock Pot Cross Country CSX Cummer Cafe Review Cummer Museum Cummer Museum Of Art & Gardens Daily Activity Daily's Place Danny Reagan Daschund Daylight Savings Time Daytona Beach Deck The Chairs Delicomb Deltona Dessert Dining In Atlantic Beach Dining In Jax Beach Dining In Ponte Vedra Beach Dining On The Water Dining Review Dining Review Vilano Beach Disney Springs DJI Phantom 4 Drone Dog Days Of Summer Doggie Stroller Dog Life Dolphins Don't Tread On Me Donuts Dreaming In The 904 Driftwood Jax Beach Drive Thru Lights Drone Video Duck Pond Dunkin Donuts Dutton Island Preserve East Coast Greenway Easter Edens Leaf Naturals Eleven South Review Embarkation Emerald Coast Endless Summer Everbank Stadium Every Damn Day Fitness Explore With Me Facebook Faith Falcon Heavy Fall Fall In Florida Family Traditions Fernandina Beach Film Review Fireplace First Watch Fishing Five Points Floating Generation Florida Florida Cold Front Florida Cracker Kitchen Florida East Coast Railway Florida Winter Flowers Fort George Island Foundation Four Frank Reagan Freight Train Fresh Off The Palette Friendship Fountain Fuller Warren Bridge Full Moon Full POV Garlic Artichoke Dip Gate River Run Gingerbread House Girvin Road Golden Hour Golf Carts Grape & Grain Exchange Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail Green Cove Springs Green Spaces Green Springs Park Green Sulfur Spring Guana River Preserve Gulf Coast Guy Fieri Hampton Inn Happy Holidays Happy New Year Hawkers Asian Street Fare Hemingway Highway I-4 Historic Bridge Street Pier Historic Old City Jail Holiday Holiday Season Holidays In Jax Beach Holidays In Neptune Beach Holly Berry Hot Chocolate Hotel Review Hotel Room Tour Ice Cream Intracoastal Intuition Ale Works Review Ireland Irish Blessings Irish Blessings To You Irish Food Irish Mode On Isaiah David Hart Bridge Island Donuts Isle Of Eight Flags Italian Restaurant Jacksonville Jacksonville Beach Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier James Bond Jamie Reagan Jarboe Park Jarboe Park Christmas Tree Jax Beach Art Walk Jax Beach Coffee Shop Jax Beach Pier Jax Beach Vintage Flea Market Jerusalem Jesus Jimmy Buffett Jimmy Johns John Glaude Joy Key Largo Key West Key West Half Marathon Kilwins Kindness Kindred Spirits King Tide Kiss The Sun Goodnight With Me KitchenAid Krispy Kreme Lake Monroe Lake Monroe Historic Bridge Liberty Life Before Facebook Lifestyle Lime Bubly Love Love Life Love Muffin Love Yourself Luck Of The Irish Lumi Bean Candles Main Street Bridge Manatee Margaritaville Marina Marriott Marshmallow Marsh Massive Action Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Mayo Clinic Jacksonville Florida Mayo Clinic Pain Rehab Clinic Mayport Cats Mayport Florida Merry Christmas Cards Metro Diner Mexican Food Mexican Restaurant Mezza Luna Ristorante MFPMilestones Mickler's Landing Millennial Generation Minestrone Soup Moonrise Morning Walk Mourning A Loss Muffins MyFitnessPal My Own Irish Blessing My Wish For You Naples NASA Nature Navi Waterfront Bar & Grill Nemo Park Neptune Beach Never Forget New Orleans New York City Night Walk Nine Eleven Nocatee NOLA Northbank Riverwalk Oaxaca Club Obese To Beast Oceanfront Dining Olivia Shore One Ocean Resort One Ocean Resort & Spa Orlando Overseas Highway Pain Rehab Clinic Palatka Palm Sunday Palm Valley Palm Valley Holiday Lights Boat Parade Palm Valley Outdoors Bar And Grill Pasta Pasta Party Pastries Patience Peanut Butter Bubbles Pelicans Pelindaba Lavender Perseverance Peterbrooke Chocolatier Petes Bar Petes Bar Thanksgiving Morning Gathering Pet Friendly Pet Loss Phit-n-Phat Phone Call Pier Pine Avenue On Anna Maria Island Pink Lemonade Plan Plant City Poinsettia Polar Plunge Pollyanna Ponte Vedra Beach Ponte Vedra Inn & Club PRC Prospect Five Points Public Beach Access Pumpkin Spice Purpose Race Expo Rain Random Acts Of Kindness Reaction Real Christmas Tree Recipes Red Sauce Religion Restaurant Review Rest Stop Rick Burnett Artist Key West Ritas Jax Beach Riverside Riverside Arts Market Riverside Duck Pond Riverside Memorial Park Riverwalk Road Race Road Trip Rockaway Garden Rod & Reel Fishing Pier Ronnie Phillips Ron On The Go Room Tour Routine Sago Coffee Jax Sanford San Marco San Marco Bookstore San Marco Town Square San Pablo Island Sawpit Creek Boat Ramp Seafoam Sea La Vie Jax Beach Seaside Park Seaside Sculpture Park Sea & Sky Jax Seas The Day Seawalk Music Festival Seawalk Pavilion Seinfeld September 11 Shamrock Shamrock Zoomies Shell World Sheltie Sheltie & Friends Sheltie & Friends Easter Coloring Book Shetland Sheepdog Shipwreck Small Towns Sneakers Sports Grille Social Media Sous Chef Southbank Southbank Riverwalk Southern Grounds Southern Living Idea House Southern Swells SpaceX Spreadshop Spring Spring Break Stand Mixer Starbucks Star Wars Stationary Statue Of Liberty St Augustine St. Augustine St. Augustine Nights Of Lights Staycation St. George Street St. Johns River St. Johns Town Center St Patricks Day St. Patrick's Day Strawberries Streamlabs Streetcar Sugar Cookies Sunrail Sunrise Sunset Sunshine Skyway Bridge Super Bowl Sunday Supper Club Take Out Dining Talking To Camera Tampa Tampa Bay Target TECO Line Streetcar System Teresa Echols Thai Food Thankful Thanksgiving The Ancient City The Boathouse The Caffeinated Cat The Dis The Donna The Donna Foundation The Donna Marathon The Green Monster The Mini Bar The Player's Championship The Reach Resort Key West The Reef These Are My Dreams These Are My Dreams The Podcast Time Savings Tinis Martini Bar To Do Downtown Jacksonville To Do In Celebration Florida To Do Jax Beach Tonys Turkey Trot Review Traditional Irish Pancakes Train Depot Train Ride Twistee Treat Twitter Uber Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry Ulta Products Unboxing Universal Endless Summer University Of North Florida Valentines Day Venice Venice Beach Pier Vertical Livestream Veterans Day Vilano Beach Vilano Beach Pier Virtual Railfan Vlogmas Volunteer V Pizza V Pizza Jax Beach Wake Up The Sun With Me Wake Up With Me Walk With Me Walt Disney World Watch With Me Watercolor Painting Weight Loss Weight Loss Success Weight Maintenance White Christmas Whit's Frozen Custard Whits Jax Beach Wicked Lick Willaford Railroad Museum Williams Sonoma Winter Meals Winter Park Winter Wonderland World Market World War 19 World War II Ybor CIty Year In Review YouTube Youtube Shorts |
_____
My Floridian Adventures On YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@christinepieper ______ My Motivational Merch Shop! https://christines-floridian-dreams.myspreadshop.com/ ______ © 2024 Christine's Floridian Dreams. |