Happy Birthday America! Join me on the beach to watch the Jacksonville Beach Fireworks display in beautiful and fabulous Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Tonight we are celebrating our independence, baby! Thanks so much for dreaming alongside me and spending this very special and patriotic holiday together. And whether this is your first time finding my Channel, or you’ve already been on many Floridian adventures with me, definitely be sure to say hello! I’ll see you on the beach. Love you, Christine P.S. Be sure to share out my YouTube Channel with anyone who wants to go on an adventure! Hey! Did you know I livestream regularly in Jax Beach? Check out my Jacksonville Beach, Florida playlist right here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa7nooQvf7IQPEtmraXz0KI3AX5JZzdCF&si=ESvHlebbb8rzXPbP Also, here’s my downtown Jacksonville, Florida playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLa7nooQvf7IShaHCmZoxotV080ibgVsIr&si=ZnRKU-oCCGkhU_Qu Florida Endless Summer is here, baby! Protecting your skin from the sun is so important. Check out this video where I rank seven different sunblocks (from worst to best) for 2024: https://youtu.be/GQtWeh8zn6g?si=dKGHorMlJbhdFZvX Celebration 5K Run Baymeadows at 1st Place Sports in Jacksonville, Florida: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9E5EbQcLBw Guess what? I’m celebrating my blog anniversary today! Check out my very first blog post (July 4, 2019) on my website, when I ran the Baymeadows Celebration 5K Run: Happy Birthday America! https://www.christinesfloridiandreams.com/christines-dreams---blog/happy-birthday-america-4-simple-tips-to-help-you-have-an-easy-americana-4th2712829 City of Jacksonville Beach Fireworks press release: https://www.jacksonvillebeach.org/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=216 This was filmed LIVE on Thursday, July 4, 2024 in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Video 439. Livestream 144. #fireworks #jacksonvillebeach #florida ___
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5/27/2024 0 Comments 254) Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida - Memorial Day Sunrise on the Beach LIVE! Happy Memorial Day 2024.Good Morning Fellow Dreamers!! And a very Happy Memorial Day 2024 to all! Today is the day each year we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to America, so that we may live free in the USA. Their sacrifice is truly what this three day holiday weekend is all about. Please make sure to pay tribute today to all those who lost their lives fighting for our freedoms. Freedom is not free. Thank you for waking up the Memorial Day sun with me on this fabulous Monday morning here in beautiful Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. *Sunrise: 6:25am. *Sunset: 8:20pm. *Conditions: Clear to partly cloudy, with a 0% chance of rain. *Temperature: Low of 72 degrees and a high of 93 degrees, with a ‘feels like’ temperature of 99 degrees. *Humidity: 69%. *Wind: 6-9 mph with gusts up to 19 mph. *UV Index: 8 - very high. *Next low tide: 5:24pm. *Next high tide: 11:36am. I hope you can enjoy some sights and sounds of the Atlantic Ocean to help kick start your Monday on the right foot. Here’s wishing you a fabulous start to your week. See you on the beach. Love you, Christine P.S. Don’t forget to share out my YouTube Channel with anyone who may want to go on an adventure. ___ Y’all know I love dogs. I highly encourage you to watch the YouTube Channel - Ellie Golden Life - to see how they pay tribute to those who have fallen. A few of their related videos are linked right here: https://youtube.com/shorts/GID_xrLEZxQ?si=TuC11-DDJ2o8CcUc https://youtube.com/shorts/vLNCnyRwgK4?si=s7CeCWeH6h1ZiVKm The true meaning of Memorial Day: https://youtube.com/shorts/N8CNVi4QNyU?si=aswiHuN2Bt1HP3LR Bonus video: https://youtube.com/shorts/UJIVM5QpVgA?si=NCSuEArOkjs8KCk3 ___ This was filmed LIVE on Monday, May 27, 2024 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Video 406. Livestream 127. #memorialday #sunrise #pontevedrabeach ___ 11/11/2023 0 Comments 148) Thank You For Your Service. LIVE from the World War 2 Memorial in Jax Beach, Happy Veterans DayAudio starts at 6:18 minutes in. Sorry about the technical difficulties. Thank you for your service - to all Veterans and their families. I am grateful for you. Love you, Christine The Jacksonville Beach World War Two Veterans Memorial is located at: Oceanfront Park 429 1st Street South Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250 There are public restrooms on site. Further information can be found on their website at: https://www.jacksonvillebeach.org/Facilities This was filmed LIVE on Saturday, November 11, 2023 in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. Livestream number 28. #veteransday #jaxbeach #florida ___ 10/21/2023 0 Comments 136) Blue Angels LIVE! Sea & Sky Air Show 2023, taking place in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, GO NAVY!Fun in the Florida Sun, baby! Hey Dreamers! Join me LIVE today to watch the Blue Angels @ Sea & Sky Show Jax 2023!! Go Navy! The show takes place in Jacksonville Beach, Florida! I’m over in Ponte Vedra Beach to film this today, standing right under where the planes make a big turn. I do end up filming them directly overhead a couple times so be sure to let me know what ya think - it was a very hard challenge for me to follow the camera instead of my eye looking at the actual planes. The planes are so fast and the sun was so bright, it was blinding to look up. But the thrill of it all was the best part of the day. So thanks for sharing this special moment with me! Also - do you choose Top Gun or Top Gun Maverick??? I tell you my choice in this video. Let me know dudes … Filmed LIVE on Saturday, October 21, 2023 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Livestream number 17. #blueangels #seaandskyjax #florida You’ve totally gotta check out these YouTube Shorts I published about the Blue Angels: 124] Straight Down! Blue Angels Sea & Sky Jax-The One Who Dares To Fall Is The One Who Learns To Fly https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WpO0KF1t0nw 121] Overhead! Blue Angels Practice Day! Sea & Sky Jax 2023! Jacksonville Beach Florida this Weekend https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-XxWFBGzAE0 Plus - on my website - Christine’s Floridian Dreams - Check out a blog article I wrote from the first Sea & Sky Jax Show that we saw a few years after we moved to Florida: https://www.christinesfloridiandreams.com/blog/18-sea-sky-jax-weekend-fun-in-the-florida-sun-sea-sky-sand Also - Here is the link to the official event schedule from the City of Jacksonville, Florida: https://specialevents.coj.net/Special-Events/Sea-and-Sky-Airshow.aspx#ShowMore And check out this fascinating YouTube video about what it’s like to train and fly with the Blue Angels: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VV2XzFjzmk 10/15/2023 0 Comments 131) Crossing The St. Johns River Auto Ferry While LIVE! Mayport To Fort George Island, Florida!So - this adventure - I am soooo happy to bring to you! You guys - I have crossed the St. Johns River on the Auto Ferry more times than I could have ever counted. I LOVE this Jacksonville icon with all my heart. And today, I’m actually sharing it LIVE, with YOU! I hope you enjoy my trip across the beautiful and flowing St. Johns River, as viewed from inside the car, and from outside the car. Enjoy the sights and sounds - including the very loud boat horn. And while the pelicans may just be my favorite part of every trip across, please make sure to keep your eye open for dolphins, various birds, massive freight ships, Singleton’s Seafood Shack on the Mayport Village side, and the Sandollar Restaurant on the Fort George Island side of things. Our fare was $8.00 for a weekend trip. Fares are one way. There are bathrooms on both sides of the river, which come in useful, especially if you are far from home, or end up waiting for the ferry for a very long time. There are also picnic tables and a viewing platform/pavilion on either side of the river. And now, I even noticed an Amazon Locker on the Mayport side during this visit! The ferry runs seven days a week, and approximately every half hour. Have a fabulous voyage folks! Love ya’s! Christine P.S. You’ve gotta check out Island Donuts in Atlantic Beach, Florida! Did the donuts I shared with you look absolutely delicious?! Check it out next time you are in town. Cost is roughly $2.00 per donut and I believe, worth every penny! Island Donuts is located at: 363 Atlantic Blvd. Suite 6, Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233 Filmed LIVE on Sunday, October 15, 2023 in Mayport Florida, Atlantic Beach, and Fort George Island - located in the greater Jacksonville area of the Sunshine State. #stjohnsriver #autoferry #mayport #jacksonville #islanddonuts 10/7/2023 0 Comments 126) Buc-ee's LIVE St. Augustine, Florida - just off I-95 - Best Rest Stop & Gas Station in America!Alright folks, we’re gonna do some eating, and some walking. This is our first visit to Buc-ee’s - in St. Augustine, Florida! So, put your walking shoes on and come join me! We’ve been to both Buc-ee’s Calhoun, Georgia, and Buc-ee’s Warner Robins, Georgia. But today we’ve finally made it to my first visit to a Buc-ee’s located in The Sunshine State! Thanks for strolling along with me as I walk a 0.64 mile loop around the Buc-ee’s parking lot. This place is massive, you guys! I show you all the Tesla charging stations, the diesel area, the abundance of gas pumps, plus, a very pet-friendly space throughout the expansive property for dog relief, including dog poop bag/trash stations everywhere. A person has no excuse to not pick up after their pooch here, that’s for sure! And tons of grassy space for dogs, and humans alike, to stretch their legs. Inside the gas station, I mean shopping mall, I mean convenience store, I mean - I have no idea… the abundance continues. There’s endless drink stations, coffees, bakery, breakfast, lunch, and dinner foods. Homemade fudge?!! I even found out the difference between Beaver Chips and Beaver Nuggets! So, for lunch we decided upon Icee’s from the freestyle machines, I got cherry, and Bryan got wacky watermelon. I had the beef brisket sandwich, Bryan had the pulled pork sandwich. He also surprised me with those infamous Beaver Chips - which are basically freshly fried potato chip slices - very delicious, two thumbs up! We also purchased a boatload of snacks. We took home a ridiculously large bag of Beaver nuggets, and I bought Bryan a bag of pork rinds - regular flavor - he loves those. And then - oh gosh - the merch! So, let me tell you a little secret. Buc-ee’s has Christmas/Holiday Merchandise! I mean, who would have thought, right? Duh. So I might have bought some festive goods. Actually, I bought a Buc-ee’s ceramic ornament for $4.98 - very cute. And a holiday tee shirt for $17.98 - I don’t show the shirt on the livestream because I’m gonna wear it and show it in a future video. And most importantly - Thank you so much for joining me as we ‘tailgate’ - Beaver style. In a great mystery of life, I can’t figure out why, there is no place to sit down and eat inside Buc-ee’s or outside Buc-ee’s. So eating at the car is pretty much what most everybody does who comes here. I really did not want to eat my lovely brisket sandwich inside the car… I wanted the FULL Buc-ee’s experience. So I grabbed my bag chair and sat outside the back of the car in the parking lot. Watching the cars and trailers and pickup trucks come and go. Lines and lines of cars both coming and going in all directions. Then I tried to take you guys inside Buc-ee’s, but the internet cut out and I lost y’all for a while. So, sadly, I couldn’t really tour all the merch that I wanted to with you, but at least I was able to show you what we purchased ourselves. And lastly, there can’t be a Buc-ee’s video without me mentioning the restrooms. They are the best! The End. Gosh, you guys! I can’t thank you enough for coming along with me today! This being my third visit to a Buc-ee’s, I’m happy to say I really think Buc-ee’s is THE BEST gas station and highway rest stop in the United States of America! Crowning Buc-ee’s as Bean’s Best Award Winning Gas Station lol. But now it’s your turn - What do you think of Buc-ee’s? I’d LOVE to know your thoughts! Share with me in the comments below, and I’ll see you in the next livestream, from somewhere in The Sunshine State! Buc-ee’s St. Johns is open 24 hours and is located at: 200 World Commerce Pkwy St. Augustine, FL 32092 #bucees #staugustine #florida Filmed LIVE on Saturday, October 7, 2023 in St. Augustine, Florida. These Are My Dreams - and JIMMY is a part of them. Dear Jimmy, Can I call you that? I feel like we’re on a first name basis… You see, I’ve been to Margaritaville a time or two. And Jimmy, you were there with me every time… even if you didn’t know it. Gosh, Jimmy, this one hits hard. Real hard. Because - Just like millions of folks, I woke up to the news… that you're gone. You’ve left us. I Truly Was Shocked. I didn't even know you were ill, and then I got the news via a text this morning from my Mom. Usually, when I hear news of a celebrity death, the news hits me just like any other piece of news… A little distant… and a bit far from home. Maybe a prayer, and a well wish to the family, deep in my heart, and no one, but me, knows what I wished. Or what I prayed, as that individual goes to Heaven. But Jimmy - your news hit me differently… Much different. Because, you see, I found my lost shaker of salt a very long time ago. And how come you never told us you were sick? I know, I know, you kept it private for a reason. You really didn’t want your Parrotheads to worry about you. Because - worry - really is not part of the Margarataville state of mind, is it? So, Immediately upon hearing the news, flashes of Margaritaville went through my head, and flew right into my heart… And I was right in the middle of all of my dreams… And I could taste that infamous cheeseburger… And I could visibly see that bottle of Heinz 57. And I went further away, deep into my dreams, and I thought of how much you have meant to me. Because - All through the years… As I grew up… And as life got hard… And living got even harder… And I grew older… And hopefully a little bit wiser… And never even just a little bit wealthier… You were always there for me. During all the hard times. In the back of my mind. And always in my heart. It’s actually MIND BLOWING to me how many of your hotels we have been to, including my dogs! And how many of your restaurants we’ve been to. And how much of your good food we have enjoyed. And HOW many memories that me and my family HAVE that YOU have been a part of. You don’t know any of that. And SO, I thank you today. And I will miss you always. And it’s up to us now. Your devoted fans and Parrottheads. To keep living life even just a little bit differently than the rest of the world. To live a little bit loose. And maybe just a little bit more carefree. Maybe just because if we couldn’t laugh, we’d all go just a little bit insane. So even if people laugh AT me. And Even if I’m the joke. It’s all ok. Because I’ve already changed my Latitude. Which did help change my Attitude. Because Mother Ocean called to me many years ago now. And Because I’ve been on that 7 Mile Bridge. And I’ve sat at the end of the world. And I’ve felt that salty air on my skin. And I’ve breathed in those Heavenly Mallory Square sunsets. And in my dreams I HAVE sailed away. And I truly do know exactly where Margaritaville is located. And I’m more than happy to post the address directly in the comments section down below. Because I don’t want to take life too seriously. And because I hope others do the same. Because as life gets more conventional every day… And modern living gets more serious every waking morning… Here’s to hoping you’re not one of the last of your kind… You were that constant reminder in the back of my heart, to continue being somewhat unconventional, because that’s me and who I really am. So with that news of your passing, my heart aches today. And I do wish you well. And your family is in my prayers. And you are in all my thoughts. But maybe I don’t need to pray for YOU right now.. Because as when most people go to Heaven, I know they are up there where they Angels are singing… Your trip to Heaven means something a little bit different… It’s what I’d call a Sail Away Party that’s a bit more unconventional… Because as you arrived in Heaven - Which is right where you should be - The angels are not singing TO you - I know YOU are singing to the angels tonight. You’re putting on a free show. The best concert the Heavens have ever seen. And they are lucky to have you there. And your song is on repeat. And the drinks are ever-flowing. And the rims are salty. And someday, the rest of us will be there, with you, wasting away in that Heavenly sunshine. And no longer searching… ~ 9/9/2021 0 Comments 113) God Bless America ~~ God Bless America ~
5/2/2021 0 Comments 106) So Proudly We Hail
4/28/2021 0 Comments 105) Binary Sunset
4/13/2021 0 Comments 104) Cookies Not Required
3/14/2021 0 Comments 101) Contagion ~ Ten Years Later
3/11/2021 0 Comments 100) The Pandemic ~ One Year Later
9/11/2020 0 Comments #82) September 11, 2020
9/8/2020 1 Comment #81) The Forgiving Gift of Time
6/3/2020 1 Comment #80) June 2020
Go ahead and admit it - with great pride and your head held high… you’ve been spending more time on the phone lately, haven’t you? It may be one of the single greatest positive acts that has resulted from the coronavirus pandemic. People have definitely been talking to one another on the phone, more than they had been in any of the recent past. And all this talking, it got me thinking... about Lucy Ricardo... Because Lucy always spent massive amounts of time on the phone. I’m a huge ‘I Love Lucy’ fan. I have been, my whole life. My grandparents turned me onto it, and when I think of Lucy, I think of them. I have memories of being with my Papa and Grandma - in person - in their house, with Lucy playing in the background. While we visited, and talked, and laughed, and cooked, and baked, and played games, and read, and celebrated holidays, as well as a whole heck of a lot of regular days, Lucy tended to be there right alongside us. And whether you’re a fan or not, my point about Lucy is this: She spent a lot of time at home. Inside her house. She wasn’t quarantined. There was no active plague. But she was at home, a lot. But home, or not, she always seemed to get herself into some sort of trouble. Big or small. There was always a crisis, many times of her own making, that needed solving. And with problem solving comes communication. And so she was always on the phone. Trying to solve one problem - while creating many others in her wake. Lucy talked so much on the phone that it might have well been her speciality... Her art. Her unique talent in life. But I also tend to think she used the phone simply to help pass some of her time - in between and amongst those many problems, of course. And Ricky was always making fun of her for that time spent. He’d be reading the paper, and she’d be on the phone - for hours at a time. Ricky couldn’t understand it! He couldn’t fathom how a person could spend so much of their time talking into that odd-shaped device? And most of the time it was all just chit-chat. Lucy gossiping with her friends. Rumors spreading, and lots of laughing. And always getting herself into scrapes - of varying degrees of that trouble I mentioned. And a lot of those phone calls were between her and Ethel Mertz. Her best friend, landlord, and close neighbor. They lived one floor apart in the same apartment building - directly above and below one another - for years. And even though they lived so very, very close, they spent hours on that telephone, with each other. After hours - of gabbing away - as Ricky might say, one of them would come to the realization that they needed to borrow a cup of sugar from the other. They’d then hang up the phone, and go up or down the single flight of stairs, to get the cup of sugar from the other, in person. And Ricky would then be even further confused… thinking - why couldn’t they have talked in person that whole time? So today, while people are keeping some seriously major distance from one another - they have been seeking new ways of communication. And it’s almost like people have re-discovered the phone, and what it’s original intended use was for. Cause it certainly wasn’t originally intended to get your news, your emails, your social media notifications, or to play video games. It was to talk, using voice. Maybe a lost art? Because people just don’t really do it anymore. Instead, people rely almost solely on the following: Tweets. Texts. Telegrams - oh wait, we don’t have that one anymore, do we? Snaps. Tagging. Email. Private Message. Facebook. Insta. Video. Zoom. Stories. Etc, etc. etc. Digital communication - and a lot of written digital communication - rules. But on the worst days of the plague, when I was still out and about and working, I noticed something I hadn’t seen in a very long time… And I heard something I hadn’t heard in a very long time either. And that was the act of people talking to another over the phone. And this is what I heard them saying into those devices... “I love you.” “How are you?” “Is everything ok?” “How are you feeling?” “Where are you right now?” “I’ll be there soon.” “I’m scared.” “What can I bring you?” “Hang in there.” “I love you.” - I mentioned that one already. But you know what? I heard that one so many times, it was most definitely significant. And if I wasn’t out of the house during the plague, I might not have believed what I heard myself. As now many articles have been written regarding how phone calls have made a real and significant comeback during the pandemic… Stats, numbers, and charts giving authoritative proof to that numerical statistical change - I only needed to see it first-hand, in my own little corner of the world, to know how true it really was. With people’s necks constantly bent down, eyeballs looking at their phone screens, for years upon years now, then quickly adapted into actually seeing their heads up, and talking from their mouths, and listening from their ears, the change was real. Maybe talking on the phone has become so rare that the act of doing so has become an actual gift - to another. A gift of time… Especially today, in this ever-innovative, fast-paced, and digital age. Tweeting… and texting... it’s all so very fast, so instant, and so non-commital of a person’s time, that a quick bubble of letters and numbers and symbols and emojis has seemingly replaced real, verbal communication, enmasse. But a phone call means commitment too. In a way the digitally written word does not. A phone call means really taking that time and sitting down - to chat - with another - one-on-one. Devoting one’s personal time and voice and ear to another human, for a specified chunk of one’s time. While the written word, and the internet, is, as they say - permanent, or cannot be taken back after it’s out there in a sense, the phone call remains something permanent as well. Because it means you gave that time away to another person in a way that cannot ever be taken back. You cannot recall it. You cannot hit the Delete button. You cannot erase it. You cannot unpin it. You cannot wipe it. So the phone call has, in a pandemicy kind of way, become a valuable, and non-regiftable, present. And not to say that there are numerous societal benefits to texting and instant messaging, but the phone call is now special in its own way. With entire generations currently growing up on social media and digital communication being the norm, the phone call is seemingly less and less important to society as a whole. But, just like war, plagues have a way of changing things... Of amending the trajectory of society. And, thus, the way people communicate. For better and for worse. And while most all of the plague lies in the worse category, for obvious reasons, there are most definitely some good aspects of global change that have developed out of this crisis... And that is the clear and present fact that people the world over have started talking to another once again. And I got in on the act myself, too. Talking on the phone is actually one of the things I had been praticing myself these past few years of living far away from friends and family. I knew that, with moving away from everything and everyone I knew, I would need to rely on the phone more so than I had in the past, to stay in touch with those I love. So over these past few years, after my move to The Sunshine State from Illinois, I had already been trying to be in better, one-on-one communication, with many, many people. But the coronavirus ended up only strengthening that resolve further. During the course of this virus, it sometimes feels as if I spoke with more friends and family from afar on the phone than I had in the whole time since I moved away. And I think maybe that feeling is actually true. I have reached out to loved ones, and they have also reached out to me. All, over the phone. No, it wasn’t email. It wasn’t Facebook. It wasn’t Instagram. And it certainly wasn’t TikTok or SnapChat. Crisis does bring people closer together. And sometimes a text just doesn’t count. Sometimes hearing another’s voice is all the more important, and valuable, in a time of fear, loneliness, crisis, confusion, and loss. And whether we lost someone we know personally, or not, during these past months of crisis, we all lost a whole heck of a lot…. of a whole heck of a lot. Life is changed. Forever. And it’s up to us to Adapt to those changes. Modify. And Proceed. And it is now my call to action - to you, fellow humans out there in InternetLand - to pick up that cellular phone. Today. And call someone you haven’t talked to in a while. Flip through your digital Rolodex. Choose some digits. And talk. Use this long, holiday weekend… And maybe spend a long while on the phone with that person. And maybe even if that person lives just around the corner from you. Maybe even if they are your Ethel, and you are their Lucy. Even if they live so close to you that you can reach out your arm, maybe by standing on your own balcony, stretching less than six feet apart, and swap with them a cup of sugar - in exchange for a stick of butter, or a cup of flour. Even if you are that close. Pick up the phone. And give them a call. Let that cup of sugar be your excuse if need be. Because while the entire world keeps on changing, and keeps on spinning, some things just never change… Plague or no plague… There’s still more problems that need solving… And Lucy and Ethel still need to gossip… And there’s still another celebration on the way - another cake to bake - and yet still another cup of sugar to borrow. ~
*Have you picked up the phone more so lately, during the coronavirus? Who have you called recently that you haven’t talked to in a very long time? I’d love to know. Drop me a comment down below: Also - if you’re enjoying my ramblings, my writings, and my Floridian adventures, there’s some more for ya, right here: 75] The First Supper @ Palm Valley Outdoors Bar & Grill 73] What I’m Missing Right Now 71] My 69 Week Break From Social Media ~ Why I Left & Why I Came Back 68] A Sunday Stroll 63] Mercy & Comfort 62] PERSPECTIVE @ Seaside Sculpture Park 61] Bean’s Idea List ~ 15 Daily Activities For Well Beyond 15 Days 59] REACTION ~ To World War 19 55] The Shamrock 51] Life Is Full Of Pasta-Bilities ~ Bean’s Red Sauce Recipe *Part of - Bean’s Kitchen - series 49] A Picture Worth A Thousand Words ~ Happy Valentine’s Day, World 48] Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia *Part of - Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge - series 42] Where Does The Chicken Cross The Road? 41] Minnie The Daschund Mouse & Her Birthday Wish 24] In Real Life ~ My First Visit To A Southern Living Idea House 21] Cinotti’s ~ And Why Life Is Too Short To Not Eat Donuts 18] Sea & Sky Jax Weekend ~ Fun In The Florida Sun, Sea, Sky & Sand When The Last Supper took place - no one, except Jesus, knew what was to come. Because, sometimes, you just don’t really know that it’s actually The Last Supper, until The Last Supper is completely over with. Done. Finished... Time, and actions, have both passed. Jesus hung on the cross… and then it hits you - that was the last time you were able to dine with Him. Would you have done something differently? Had you known it would be the final time? The final meal? Would you have asked Him a different set of questions? Would you have had a different sort of conversation? Had a second helping of bread and butter? Would you have ordered every dessert on the menu? Because - what the heck - it IS The Last Supper, of course. Of all the meals in all the world, now is the time to order the chocolate lava cake, with vanilla ice cream on top, draped in chocolate syrup, and then topped with sprinkles and a cherry on top. Over the last few months, #lastsupper might have well been trending every single day. Because with every conversation I have had with another human being - this meal - this act - was a topic of conversation… Where was your last dinner out? What did you order? Who were you with? And even - what did you talk about? Ahh, who were you with??? Before quarantine took us all over. Were you with the ones you are with right now? Were you with loved ones you now have not seen in eight weeks? Separated by an invisible plague. A plague that is wreaking havoc on civilization itself. Were you celebrating a special occasion during that final meal? Or was the dinner out nothing special at all?... Just another day, just another outing. Not really having given it a passing thought. Yes, everyone has their own Last Supper right now. We all dined out one last time before shut-down orders took over the globe. And restaurants shut their doors. Some for a short time. And sadly, some forever more. And at-home cooking and dining became the new way of life. Either that, or a whole heck of a lot of take-out, delivery, and curbside service, which started enmasse, in the wake of the pandemic. There are lots of meaningful moments in a person’s life. Many moments that, when they are taking place, the person does not know it’s the last time. That’s why the old adage… Live each day as if it were your last. OR You don’t know what you’ve got, till it’s gone. So, maybe now is the time to ask yourself: Are you living each day? Yes, even during quarantine. Are you fully alive? Each and every single day. Regardless of place? Circumstance? Location? Setting? Situation? Finances? Limitations? Roadblocks? Mystery? Scarcity? Hope? Fear? I am. And I have been, living, each day. For three years. I am fully ALIVE. Pandemic… Or no pandemic. I am alive. And I am living my very best life. I was fully alive before the world changed, and I am extremely grateful to be fully alive during it. And I’m still completely and 100% alive, as the world awakens, opens up their front doors, and steps off their front porches… many, for the first time, in a very long time. You see, I was already out there… standing in the street… looking inward, toward humanity, inside their houses. Just waiting for y'all to come on out again. And join me. In life. Because life - in Florida - means fresh air. While it was winter, and a cold and rainy spring, in many areas of the country, during this horrific shutdown, living in Florida during this plague was an extra special blessing to be from God Himself. I was able to still walk outside, and get fresh, warm air, every single day. I was able to sit on my balcony, outside, every single day. I was able to literally soak in my vitamin D. The vitamin they keep discussing in the news as being imperative to fight CoVid19. So, I’m happy to FINALLY see and hear of many other people starting their own venture outward. Yes, even New York is seeing signs of hope and life again. So, as the weather turns warmer, and brighter, in other parts of the world, many others can now also soak in their daily vitamin D. Have their coffee on their balconies. And get outside. I’m happy to be joined with the sea of humanity as they open their front doors. Many are afraid. Many are terrified. Many are following guidelines, plans, and executive, gubernatorial orders, or newly enacted city ordinances. And, yes, many are stepping off their front porch steps at the very same time. So, I’m out here to say to those who are starting out right now... Hello. Welcome back. And - There’s a life to live out there. Life is happening - whether we know it or not - whether we like it or not - and whether we want it to or not. And life is, merely and once again, your reaction, to other actions. I am showing you my reaction. As the national guidelines, and statewide safer-at-home orders were slowly and gradually lifted in The Sunshine State… businesses started opening back up. Over these last many weeks, signs of optimism grew by the day. Little by little. They opened their doors. Many, very many in fact, are still shuttered, didn’t make it. But just as many, have once again opened. With limited indoor seating, and tables spaced safely apart from one another, and nearly unlimited outdoor seating in the fresh air, lots of outdoor patios are having the times of their lives right now. People are craving normalcy. People want to socialize. And people want to go out to eat. Well, we, in Florida, were able to finally do just that. For the first time in over two months. We dined out. We sat outside. We were far away from other humans. And we had a great meal. As we gazed at a gorgeous, waterfront setting. We traveled down the winding Palm Valley Road toward the bridge. Nestled and tucked under that large expanse of a hovering bridge is the Palm Valley Outdoors Bar & Grill. Located at 377 South Roscoe Boulevard in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, the location really is perfect as well. On a bright and shiny and blue sky day, we arrived at the Grill for a lovely lunch outing. We planned our outing to go earlier in the day, rather than later. My work schedule has me going to bed early, so we usually end up with a lot of lunches out - instead of dinners. But considering this was a first meal of sorts, and it was a birthday celebration, both hubby and I were extra excited to arrive - no matter what the time was. We knew it would take a while. We knew they had just recently opened to the public once again for dine-in service. We were prepared to wait, long. And all their signage around the building told me another story… That they were open during the worst. That they were doing curbside pick up - and even dock side pick up, for boaters. I was extra grateful to be a dine-in patron that day. We had about a one and a half hour wait… They had told us about 35 minutes, it ended up being a lot longer, obviously. No problem. We knew what we were getting into by dining at a restaurant just after an official re-opening to the public. In my mind, I treated this outing as the equivalent of visiting a restaurant on their first day of operation - a new business. A restaurant’s first day is always a huge mountain to climb. Always a challenge. And yet, no one seemed to be bothered by the wait. But it’s kinda hard to be bothered with anything at all when this is the setting: Besides, what can one expect during a global plague, with food supply chains completely disrupted… We went more so for the experience, and what food we got - we got, in our book. And the wait - was the wait. During that extended wait, I ordered two lemonades from the bar, and hubby ordered a birthday margarita, and then a beer on tap. The lemonade was very, very small, and I drank it in about three gulps. Hubby’s alcohol lasted much longer than both my drinks. We sat, in the partial shade on the wooden dock, feet hanging over the water, for a long time. After a while of watching boats go past, quite peacefully, we found some wooden adirondack chairs and decided to move. The entire wait was pleasant and calm and very enjoyable to watch all the activity going past. In that time period, we saw countless boats arrive and depart the dock. I’d say as many boats as cars coming and going from the parking lot. So this is definitely a popular spot for boaters to stop enroute. The sun was at its hottest and brightest part of the day overhead. After seeing the dining area patio baking in the afternoon sun, we then asked for a table in the shade. They told us the wait would be much longer. All the tables had spaces for umbrellas but there were no umbrellas to be had. When we finally sat at our shaded table we were quite hungry and very much ready to order. Our hostess had gloves on. Our server had gloves on. We ordered two side salads with a balsamic dressing. A delicious salad that, for the first time in two months, we didn’t have to prepare and cut all the fresh ingredients ourselves. For our main course, we then each ordered two burgers with fries. Um, because, no fried food at home for two months - need I say more? Hubby had the bacon and cheese burger, and I had the original burger. It was served hot and fresh, straight off the grill. Medium well, and perfectly done. Fresh lettuce, tomato, and onion. It was superb. I cut my burger in half, and had the other half for dinner that night - my way of watching calorie intake during that outing. The steak French fries were from Heaven. Because - again - key word being - fried. We chose not to have dessert there, as I had special-ordered a few cupcakes from Cinotti’s Bakery to act as the birthday cake dessert, that we would eat at home later that evening. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. But the setting was what we especially enjoyed. And it was the action itself of dining out. Leaving the house, driving to a restaurant, reading a menu, and dining amongst others, that was most important to us on that date. Overall, the Palm Valley Outdoors Bar & Grill was a lovely experience. A great birthday outing. And a fabulous place to try if it happens to be your First Supper as well. The tables are spaced plenty distance apart, and the restaurant is following all the cleaning protocols in place. With employees wearing gloves, and lots of santitzing tables between customers. The setting is more than ideal, with the Intracoastal as a backdrop, and tucked just under and off to the side of the Palm Valley Bridge. You’ll enjoy the boats coming and going. Paddleboarders going north and south. And you may especially enjoy the countless doggies - sitting on the edge of their owner’s boats. Also taking in all the sights and sounds… and smells… of the salt life, and good food. It is my sincere hope that for those of you in states where restaurants have also been approved to reopen, just like in Florida, that you use the experience of my First Supper, as a push to get out there yourself. For those still anxiously waiting for your own First Supper. Go ahead and get ready now. Your time is coming. To start your own venture outside. To open your own front door. To step off that front porch. Find yourself an open restaurant. Wait All The Minutes. Get seated. And have a lovely meal. Have your very own First Supper. And, what the heck, maybe even order dessert while you’re at it. It’s ok to be scared. And by all means, it’s also mostly certainly ok - to be very uncertain. And, just like The Last Supper, it’s ok if you don’t yet know when your First Supper will be. Just keep it in mind. Plan for it. Get it in your head. Because one day, and maybe when you least expect it, it will come to you. And you can ask yourself - will you be fully alive on that fateful day? Will you be living that day like it’s your last on this Earth? Will you remember the moment - so you know what you’ve got, when it’s gone? And then, finally, who will you be with when that date arrives? ~
And for many more dining out opportunities in The Sunshine State - check out the variety of my restaurant reviews, right here: 57] First Watch on the First Coast 53] Totally Terrific & Tasty Thai @ Blue Orchid Thai Cuisine 45] Dessert First, My Friends ~ Cantina Louie 40] Visiting The Florida Cracker Kitchen ~ Jacksonville 35] Happiest Of Holidays @ Hawkers Asian Street Fare 29] Dinner & A Show ~ The 26th Annual St. Augustine Nights of Lights 15] V Pizza ~ The Very Best Pizza In Jax Beach! *Part of ~ Bean’s Best ~ Award Winner 2019 11] Eleven South Bistro & Bar ~~ Supper Club Of The South 5] The Reef On SR A1A: Worth Pulling Over For 4] The Boathouse @ Disney Springs ~ Disney Dining At Its Best Plus, you may be interested in some of my other pandemic related thoughts, theories, activities, and other such ponderings - down below: 73] What I’m Missing Right Now 69] Chaunie’s Coffee Truck *Part of - Bean’s Coffee Shop Challenge - series 68] A Sunday Stroll 65] The Sea Life ~ Happy Easter 64] Stay-At-Home Sunday ~ Palm Sunday 63] Mercy & Comfort 62] PERSPECTIVE @ Seaside Sculpture Park 61] Bean’s Idea List ~ 15 Daily Activities For Well Beyond 15 Days 59] REACTION ~ To World War 19 Remember when it was somebody’s birthday? Ohhhh, so very, very long ago… Candles would be lit. A song would be sung. And the birthday boy, or birthday girl, would take in a big breath - with their lungs - and blow out all the candles. And then everybody would clap. The cake would be sliced. Every piece passed around - a plate of deliciousness for all at the party. Everybody sharing, in an act of celebration. Another person a year older - another piece of cake to commemorate the occasion. A fork in one hand. A plate of frosted, sugary goodness in the other. And without giving it a second thought, everyone would bite into their slice of dessert, even though somebody had just previously breathed upon said cake? Sacrilege! Those moments are now gone. But a girl can dream - right? No one will look at a birthday cake the same way again now. Because, while we all still may eat the cake, the sentiment just isn’t the same. And while we all still may sing a song… and candles can still be blown out… the world has once again changed. And I miss that corresponding sentiment. I miss a whole lot more than just that though. I miss it all... I miss coffee shops. I miss restaurants. I miss saying, “Table for two.” - Instead of “Two dinners to go, please.” I miss smiles on unhidden faces. I miss laughter. I miss jokes. I miss friends. I miss family. I miss parties. I miss the library. I miss fairs, carnivals, rides, cotton candy, and sno cones. I miss Art Shows, Art Walks, Art Festivals, craft shows, and concerts. And I still don’t miss nfl football. I miss my once a year and very boring visit to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Department. Otherwise known as the FLHSMV. In fact, I miss that a whole heck of a lot more than football. And I missed out on the opportunity to see Hamilton - right here in Jacksonville, back in March. My tickets - sadly, refunded to my credit card. I miss the smell of a book, just picked up from the library, as I crack open the spine. I miss handshakes. I miss milk shakes. I miss hugs. I miss kisses on the cheek. I miss the darn dentist. I miss joy and good cheer. I miss good will to all people. I miss Christmas. I miss Walt Disney World. I miss All-You-Can-Eat Buffets. I miss unlimited scoops of ice cream, from large tubs, on the dessert line of the above-mentioned buffet. Where I can pick up my own cup, take the cold steel scoop, push it with my own hands into the milky cream, releasing chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry into my own cup. My very own ice cream mountain - as high as I want to make it. I miss simple get togethers - large and small. I miss people’s faces when I communicate with them. I miss the act of meeting up with those fellow humans - in person. In real life. I miss being able to hear that fellow human being, clearly, when they speak to me - their unmuffled voice carrying into my ears, and the sound of it not being blocked by a cloth mask. I miss people treating one another as fellow human beings - and not treating others as the walking plague. I miss closeness. I miss happiness all around us. I miss people leaving their house like it was just another day. I miss life… I miss seeing other people living their lives. I miss faith over fear. But just because I miss all these very simple things, doesn’t mean I haven’t been doing them, and living them, myself. In fact, I’ve been the busiest in my entire life - during the long and drawn out and quite dramatic duration of this entire, never-ending plague. Regardless of life outside my own front door. I am breathing. I am communicating. I am celebrating. I am being responsible for myself. I am making my own life decisions. I am sucking it up. I am dealing. I am not only surviving. I am proud and happy to be fully alive. I am living. I am reading. I am planning. I am dreaming. I am pursuing. I am working hard. I am exercising. I am writing. I am painting. I am utilizing this time to become stronger. To learn. To grow. To try new things. And most importantly, I am persevering. And I am coming home from work - and I’m stepping right in the shower, washing the invisible and mysterious and confusing plague off me each night. And, I’ve learned a lot. And I’ve learned what I already always knew - how imperative each breath we take really is. So let’s all inhale. Breathe in - In the face of fear. Exhale - and keep going, my friends. Exhale and continue onward. Exhale and push forward. Exhale and persevere. And if it happens to be your birthday, go ahead and exhale a big breath straight onto your very own birthday cake candles... Yes, I know that’s exactly what we will be doing this weekend. As we celebrate my hubby’s birthday, we will dine out, along the water’s edge, for our First Supper since the plague began. We will sit at tables, amongst other human beings. All partaking in the common and essential act of breathing, and eating. And I will pick up the special cupcake creations I ordered from Cinotti’s Bakery. And I will slap some candles on top of the frosted red velvety goodness. I will light the flame. And I will sing “Happy Birthday!” And my furry baby will probably sing a lot louder than me. And most importantly, my hubby will then inhale with his own set of two lungs, and exhale hard on top of all the frosting, extinguishing that flame. And then we will eat all the darn sugar. ~
*How have you been living through this plague? Are you persevering? Are you experimenting with new ideas? Are you at home brewing up new talents? Are you getting fresh air? I’d so love to know. Drop me a comment down below: Also, if you’re enjoying my Floridian daydreams, then check out some of my others, right here: 71] My 69 Week Break From Social Media ~ Why I Left & Why I Came Back 68] A Sunday Stroll 65] The Sea Life ~ Happy Easter 64] Stay-At-Home Sunday ~ Palm Sunday 63] Mercy & Comfort 62] PERSPECTIVE @ Seaside Sculpture Park 61] Bean’s Idea List ~ 15 Daily Activities For Well Beyond 15 Days 59] REACTION ~ To World War 19 55] The Shamrock 51] Life Is Full Of Pasta-Bilities ~ Bean’s Red Sauce Recipe 49] A Picture Worth A Thousand Words ~ Happy Valentine’s Day, World 44] Nothing Finer Than Coffee In The Keys ~ The Coffee Plantation Cafe 42] Where Does The Chicken Cross The Road? 39] The Very Official & Quite Serious Donut Debate Of 2020 18] Sea & Sky Jax Weekend ~ Fun In The Florida Sun, Sea, Sky & Sand 4/10/2020 0 Comments #65) The Sea Life ~ Happy EasterEaster Morning: 2020. It will be very, very different this year. Most years past, after our move down south to Florida, Easter Morning has become a wonderful and tropical tradition… and always, at the beach. We’d wake early - as usual. Make a fresh pot of coffee - as usual. But then, not, as usual… I’d pop a tube of highly processed, cinnamony, and sugary goodness into the oven. As the rolls of spiced dough rise in the heat we’d get ourselves ready for a day in the sand. Surf and turf. And pure fun. As the heavenly scent of cinnamon wafts throughout the apartment in windy swirls, combined with the fresh, salty, ocean breeze floating through the patio door. And coffee beans - doing their thing. We then ready our beach bag and grab our umbrella. When all is packed up and ready to go, and the buzzer finally decides to ding, I then proceed to slide the Easter Morning breakfast treat out of the oven. Something that costs a mere couple of dollars, but brings forth great and priceless joy. In the final step of preparation, I then glide the spatula over the cinnamon rolls and spread the most delicious frosting atop. Standing in the kitchen, I watch as the ice cold frosting melts over the slope of a doughy mountain. And then, finally, the frosting completely melted, meeting in its final descent, gently hitting the baking tray. And with that act, it is our que to leave. It’s then off to the beach for our Easter Morning. To sit and gaze at the ocean. To take in all the beauty of the sea directly in front of us. Stretching all the way out to the horizon. No end in sight. What’s past that line nobody really knows. Going to the beach is something we do all the time. But on a holiday - it’s just all the more special. And all the more peaceful. Hubby plants the umbrella into the sandy floor. We lay out our beach towels. And our doggie sitting between us nestled in the shade. And we swim. And read. And listen to podcasts and music. And mostly, we just drink coffee. But Easter in Florida will definitely be very, very different this year. The beaches here are closed to the public. Wrapped up with police tape. Barricaded. Coned off. Caution and warning signs abound. Parking not allowed. To help stop the Coronavirus spread, of course. So, while there may be coffee, and while there may be cinnamon rolls, and while there may be frosting. There will be no surf and turf. But knowing all that, one thing is still very, very certain. While they can most certainly close the beach, and can do so fairly easily I might add. There is no front door to the ocean. There is no window they can shutter and latch to prevent us from taking a look. And they certainly can’t throw away the key. So while it may be in everyone’s best interest that the beaches remain closed this spring, the sea is still sitting out there - doing it’s own thing - very much alive and breathing - and it will be there still, on Easter Morning. In fact, I tend to think the Sea and all the life within it, are kinda, sorta, wondering, at this point, where all the humans went? I think, maybe, the ocean is getting a little lonely? The dolphins that swim alongside us… what are they up to right about now? Either that - or the sea is laughing at us and saying, “Good riddance! They’re finally letting me take a nap!” And it is with that thought in mind that we have been regularly going for our morning walks, still, throughout global chaos. As usual, throughout this pandemic, we take a peak, and glance out toward the ocean - from afar. As we get our cardio in, doggy included, we take a look outward toward the gorgeous and colorful and ever-changing skyline. And the forever distant horizon. While never, ever, crossing over the strategically placed yellow and black police tape. Of course. And that is what life at the beach is all about, Charlie Brown. The Sea. Life. And The Sea. Life surrounding the sea. On the sea. In the sea. And… looking at the sea. Gazing at the sea. And dreaming of The Sea. Yes - I’ve lived The Sea Life for a few years now. It’s been over three years since I moved to Florida from the Midwest. Dreaming of the sea, ultimately, brought me to the beach. To San Pablo Island. And with that milestone, there’s another kind of Sea Life that I’ve been living since my move to Florida. It has also been nearly three years since I was discharged from the Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Clinic - located in Jacksonville. There is a cognitive behavioral therapy tool that all of us patients learned as we went through the long and detailed and rigorous rehabilitation program. It divides our life - the life of an individual living with chronic pain - into three very distinct phases… The A Life. The B Life. &... The C Life. And while my C Life is ultimately why you are reading this right now, I wanted to provide you a brief explanation as to how the A and B life have to be lived - in order for a participant in the program to EVER even obtain the opportunity to have a C Life. Their own C Life. First up is The A Life. And The A Life is just that. It’s LIFE. The A Life is everything and anything and anybody that came before chronic pain took over the body. The A Life, for me, and for hundreds of other patients, was growing up… it was going to school… it was sports, it was college, it was marriage, it was graduate school… it was first jobs, or many jobs. Full careers. Family. Friends. Parties. Travel. Success. The A Life - was life, itself. And then, all of a sudden, that darn, no good, very bad day of a B Life came along - and that was a very, very Bad Life indeed. The B Life enters into a person’s life as chronic pain takes them over. A patient's body succumbs in almost every single way to unrelenting pain. Marriages are lost. Jobs are most definitely lost. Whole careers upended. Some patients even get fired from their life-long career on the very day they choose to take back their own life. To be admitted to hospital. Money = gone. Even responsible and diligent financial penny pinchers and savers - their financial statuses, quickly changed. Debts add up. Lots and lots of bills. Bills that can’t be paid. Bills on payment plan. Bills leaving one drowning in paperwork and dollar signs. A feeling that they will never be able catch up. Financial ruin…. All as the patient, and sometimes their family as well, spends every single penny at their disposal on doctors appointments, tests, experimental treatment, lots of travel to specialists, surgeries, injections, miracle creams, potions, lotions, powders, herbs, capsules and tablets. In search of a cure. Daily life is abruptly changed. All the little things that make up a life. Hobbies are gone. Forgotten in nearly every way. Sports are not even an option. Cooking - gone. Reading - gone. Books sit closed and their bindings collect dust. Parties - gone. Friends - lost forever. Mental strength. Physical abilities. Exercise. Self care. As chronic pain sets in, as chronic pain takes over… everything else is lost. And The B Life can be a very long life. The B Life can leave a young 39 year old with a whole lot of gray hair on top of her head. After the patient has done nearly everything, and lost nearly everything, that tends to be when they find out about Mayo Clinic’s Pain Rehabilitation Clinic. Some kind soul usually refers them. A friend, family member, doctor, or maybe even a quick Google search - a quiet whisper in their ear - informs them of Pain Rehab at Mayo. And yeah - lots of people really do not even find out about the program I am discussing with you today until they’ve lived The B Life for a very, very long time. And a lot of pain has already been experienced. To the point that it’s all sheer madness of a life to live. But then… That’s when PRC comes along. The C Life comes along. And The C Life - is a brand new life. The C Life - is being reborn. Think of it kinda like a cat…. Just as a cat has nine lives… graduates of the PRC Program at Mayo Clinic have three lives. Like - no joke. I WAS reborn - at Mayo Clinic. My life WAS saved - at Mayo Clinic. I WAS transformed - at Mayo Clinic. But it wasn’t a light bulb moment. No one flipped the switch. I wasn’t injected with a shot, vaccinating me into a different realm. No, nope, nope, nope. That’s not how any of this works. I had to earn my C Life. Through a lot of hard work on my part. The C LIfe is a lifestyle choice. But The C LIfe is, once again, Life itself. The C Life is about acceptance. The C life is about making peace. The C Life is about discipline. Diligence. Routine. Adaptation. Moderation. Forgiveness. Patience. The C Life is about faith. The C Life IS hope. And, maybe most importantly, the C Life helps a patient to say goodbye… To say goodbye to their nightmare, of a B Life. And then, to take it even one step further - To say goodbye - for good - even to their A Life. Yes, that’s correct. The A Life is tossed out the window too. It is then and really only then that the C Life can become a real and new Life. We do not look backward in The C Life. We don’t try to meet up with our old selves. We do not try to re-obtain our A Life. We accept that it is gone forever. And we simply accept the new selves we have become. Accepting of our past, and working toward a better future. And work - each day - to build a life around that knowledge. If a patient fully believes and practices the program… all knowing the C Life Is a lifestyle - and not a magical lotion, potion, prescription, or pill - the C Life can really become a brand new life. A real rebirth. An Easter Resurrection. The C Life, for me, has been truly life-changing. Just as it was meant to be. Just as I allowed it to be. And. Just as I continue to allow it to be every single day. I’ve been practicing The C Life for nearly three years… It’s lifestyle - not a cure. It’s hard work - and not the waving of a magic wand. And, The C Life is not perfect. In fact, there may be newer, stranger, or more horrible nightmares of problems that crop up in The C Life. Maybe even more so than in either The A Life, or The B Life. And I say that to be honest. But with great confidence. Because even with pandemics, massive contagions, and disruption of the entire world order, The C Life - can still be a fabulous life. And anything, anything at all, can be accomplished living The C Life. Despite all obstacle. Despite any challenge. Despite a roadblock, clearly sitting directly in front of a person. The world is at the fingertips of the discharged patient - from the very first day they exit the Program and walk out the hospital doors for the final time. Life - is waiting for them as they enter their third life. Their new life. The C Life has brought me more joy and happiness than I ever thought possible. The C Life has stopped me from waiting… Waiting….. To LIVE. I now am fully alive. Even today. In the midst of the world’s largest global crisis of our lifetimes. Yes, amidst the apocalypse of this plague. This global pandemic. Every day is still special to me. Every day I am grateful. And every day I am truly alive. As we all continue in this, our strange and new kind of life. As everyone on Earth, right now, is also going through a transition of life. And, as Easter Sunday arrives on our doorstep. Churches, for the most part, remain closed. Family and friends will not be meeting up, from afar, to celebrate the special Sunday. Most of us, throughout the entire world, will be having our Easter dinners with only the members who reside in our immediate households. And while we cannot have the beach, and we cannot look out at the beautiful sea - as we sit in the warm sand - we can all still have each other. While we are all far apart. Yes, there will be no beach on Easter Sunday this year... That is - Unless Dr. Fauci goes on television sometime between when Christ dies and when Christ has risen - and then proceeds to tell us that it is all now safe, let’s open up the world again! But something tells me he won’t be saying that any time soon. Yes, Easter Sunday will be very different this year. And with some supply chain disruption, there may not even be those highly coveted cinnamon rolls. But there will be people sacrificing. For the good of humanity. And for the continuation of life itself. I saw in the local Jacksonville news the other day that an administrator at Mayo Clinic Jax is now accepting letters, words of encouragement, drawings, images, etc. They will be sent onward - to all the doctors, nurses, and hundreds of other staff members who make up the Clinic. To thank them. We, the general public, have been asked to pass along our best wishes and support. As Mayo plays a prime role on the front lines of this global war on disease. Mayo will no doubt be on the front lines of research, studies, testing, and treatment of patients - all in the CoVid19 fight. It’s basically like this - As one of the most amazing humans on Earth always says, “We’re number one!” All kidding aside though - They really are number one. And yes - they saved my life. They brought me back into the world. And they lifted me up when I needed it the most. My experience at Mayo Clinic has given me my C Life... As I started my first job outside the home in a decade. As I’ve now completed road races, a half marathon, traveled, met countless amazing people, and various other opportunities I never thought humanly possible. Countless milestones and achievements I never thought would be available to me, merely a few short years ago. But the most important part of what Mayo gave me really is my overall brand new life. The different life. The one that is in no way at all part of my A Life or my B Life. All the countless new doors that have opened. All the boats I’ve hopped on board - to float on out toward that distant horizon line in the vast and open sea. As I volunteered. As I fell completely and madly in love with Art. As I started my own Etsy Shop, Website, Lifestyle Blog, and Art Studio. As I fell in love with writing. As nothing is impossible to me now. As there is no limit to where all my dreams may take me next. As Christine’s Floridian Dreams was dreamed up - because of them - because of Mayo. Doing all things new. With confidence. Doing what was never completed in the A or B Life. Yes, I am truly living The C Life. Even amidst a global pandemic. In fact, I actually tend to think that it is because of Mayo Clinic that I am simply plugging along, no big deal, throughout this sci-fi, apocalyptic life we all now find ourselves within. When I graduated from the Program. I had a whole lifeline of tools at my disposal. Tools I have diligently utilized each day of my C Life. Tools I am continuing to use - right now - through crisis. Life is good. Yes, life is still good. And while there may be crisis. And while there may be death, and horror, and evil, and destruction. There will always be hope. So, to answer the call from the local news stations. These words of thanks are now my words of encouragement to all the doctors, nurses, and staff - as they fight on the front lines. As they battle the evil virus. As they fight for humanity. As they give hope to countless others. As they change lives each and every day. And as they continue to - right in the middle of a plague. As they give countless patients a new life. With each deed, word, and action: THANK YOU. You’ve got this. And we are all here with you. Yes, this may be a very different Easter. All throughout the world. And even right here in Jacksonville, Florida. And, rightfully so - There may not be the beach. There may not be surf to ride upon. There may not be men with metal detectors walking up and down the shoreline - looking for shiny coastal treasures. There may not be little children collecting shells, and building sand castles next to the tide pools. There may not be a grown woman with graying hair sitting out on the beach with cinnamon rolls, hot coffee, and a doggie sitting beside her in the sand. But there will always be life. There will always be hope. There will always be faith. And, there will always be good people doing God’s work - each and every day. And maybe, and most importantly, floating out there on the horizon line… with a door that never closes and most certainly never locks, just waiting for that next someone to step out and push themselves off the sandy floor, onward and outward toward their next high and mighty adventure… forever unknowing of what truly lies ahead… The Sea Life. ~ *Happy Easter to Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Florida. Thank you - for everything.* *This painting, titled - “The Sea Life” - is being donated to the Pain Rehabilitation Center at Mayo Clinic Jax - and will be hand delivered, in person… Whenever we can all see each other, once again - In real life.* [Editorial Note]: I am not a doctor. And I don’t pretend to play one on TV either. This article and personal story is not medical advice or a prescription in any way. But - if this post reaches you because you are living in chronic pain. If you found this article because someone thought it may be screaming YOU. If you were referred here by others who thought you might benefit from this story. Let this reading be that whisper in your ear - informing you of possibility. Know there is always hope. There are people everywhere - on all corners of this globe - who know how to help you. Never give up. The people and place that helped me are referenced within this publication. The main phone number to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida is 904.953.2000. Go ahead and pick up that phone of yours. Punch in the numbers. And help yourself - by getting help from others.
Hey - you - over there. If you’re looking for more stories of hope, inspiration, faith and optimism, check out the links below: 64] Stay-At-Home Sunday ~ Palm Sunday 63] Mercy & Comfort 62] PERSPECTIVE @ Seaside Sculpture Park 61] Bean’s Idea List ~ 15 Daily Activities For Well Beyond 15 Days 59] REACTION ~ To World War 19 55] The Shamrock 51] Life Is Full Of Pasta-Bilities ~ Bean’s Red Sauce Recipe 49] A Picture Worth A Thousand Words ~ Happy Valentine’s Day, World 48] Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia 42] Where Does The Chicken Cross The Road? 41] Minnie The Daschund Mouse & Her Birthday Wish 39] The Very Official &. Quite Serious Donut Debate Of 2020 38] The Year Of The Sweater ~ Bean’s Minestrone Soup Recipe 36] The End Of A Decade & My New Year’s Wish To You ~ 34] Merry Christmas ~ And How To Buy For That Person On Your List Who Saved Your Life ~ 27] Thanksgiving & Pete’s Bar ~ Not All Resolutions Need Be Fulfilled On January First 26] Deck The Chairs ~ BE THAT CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THIS OUR VERY OWN AND SHAREABLE WORLD 24] In Real Life ~ My First Visit To A Southern Living Idea House 23] Faith ~ And Life Lessons Learned Living With Wild & Untamable Hair 21] Cinotti’s ~ And Why Life Is Too Short To Not Eat Donuts Palm Sunday... 2020. A day of hope. A day surrounded in happiness. A day to rejoice. A day full of celebration. And… A day of sacrifice. A day of sorrow. A day clouded in sadness... While the palm is representative of royalty and welcoming and celebratory achievements and victories… At the same time of all the rejoicing… Jesus already knew what was coming for Him. He foresaw it all. On Palm Sunday. He rode into the Holy City, victorious, but entirely in peace. And this act was paralleled by His own somber thoughts at the very same time. Jesus knew the events taking place on Palm Sunday would ultimately lead to His upcoming death. His Crucifixion. He knew His arrest was imminent. He foresaw it all. He knew He would die. He foresaw it all. But… He got on the donkey, and He rode into Jerusalem anyway. The courage. The confidence. The sacrifice. And knowing that sacrifice was for all of us. Even though we did not know it. The fiercely strong and bold and thick palm leaves all touching the donkey’s paws on the walk throughout town. People waving the branches toward Him. And He - feeling the winds of the palms. All while knowing. Of the upcoming sacrifice. Palm Sunday is definitively representative of this Palm Sunday 2020, in many, many ways. And Holy Week itself. We have been told these weeks may be some of the toughest of our lives. We have been told of uncertainty. We have been told there will be death. We have been told to hang in there. And maybe most importantly… we have been told to put our foot on the gas pedal during the hardest time... And to Keep Going. Jesus sacrificed for us. For the people at the time, yes. But for all of us. And for an infinite number of people - still - into the unknown future. When people wonder… Where is God today? Amidst all the death and destruction? He lives among us. All of us. As we all sacrifice something, in some way - today. Work, finance, careers, family, friends, hobbies, school, health - Life as we know it, itself. We are all sacrificing today to help rid the world of an invisible evil. All, in our own ways. But - All - doing our part. We don’t know what the future holds - as Jesus did. So we have to have faith. And keep going. Because Jesus did know what was coming for Him - and He still kept going. Because we don’t know what is coming for us - but we need to keep going. Because the more we keep going - the stronger we become. Because as Jesus knew what was coming forward into the future for Him - He still moved forward. And just because of that, and in spite of not knowing what lies ahead, we must also live, and move forward, all while UN-knowing what is to come for us in the future. So let’s all keep going. Keep celebrating. And - Keep living. Surrounded by fear. Surrounded by mystery. Surrounded by death. Surrounded by questions and zero answers. Surrounded by unknowing. We have to keep living. It will only make us all stronger. So when you question WHY? Why did this happen? Why did it happen to us? What is going to happen? What will become of us? The non-answer is the answer. No one knows. But we just keep going. And in turn, fear goes away. Even if you try to guess what your future holds. You will not be afraid. You will go forward. You will continue in celebration. And you will then celebrate today. And you will continue to rejoice today. And you will be surrounded in happiness. And you will have hope. And you will have faith. This Sunday… This Stay-At-Home Sunday. Holy Week. 2020. ~
For more stories, thoughts, poetry, and then some, check out these other entries, right here: 63] Mercy & Comfort 62] PERSPECTIVE @ Seaside Sculpture Park 59] REACTION ~ To World War 19 55] The Shamrock 51] Life Is Full Of Pasta-Bilities ~ Bean’s Red Sauce Recipe 49] A Picture Worth A Thousand Words ~ Happy Valentine’s Day, World 48] Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia 42] Where Does The Chicken Cross The Road? 41] Minnie The Daschund Mouse & Her Birthday Wish 39] The Very Official & Quite Serious Donut Debate Of 2020 38] The Year Of The Sweater ~ Bean’s Minestrone Soup Recipe 36] The End Of A Decade & My New Year’s Wish To You 34] Merry Christmas ~ And How To Buy For That Person On Your List Who Saved Your Life ~ 28] The Scent Of Christmas in the Air 27] Thanksgiving & Pete’s Bar ~ Not All Resolutions Need Be Fulfilled On January First 26] Deck The Chairs ~ BE THAT CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THIS OUR VERY OWN AND SHAREABLE WORLD 24] In Real Life ~ My First Visit To A Southern Living Idea House 23] Faith ~ And Life Lessons Learned Living With Wild & Untamable Hair 21] Cinotti’s ~ And Why Life Is Too Short To Not Eat Donuts 18] Sea & Sky Jax Weekend ~ Fun In The Florida Sun, Sea, Sky & Sand 6] Nine Eleven: Before & After 2] 3 Wows Plus 1 Piece Of Magic I Experienced At Jacksonville, Florida’s Cummer Museum Of Art & Gardens 4/3/2020 2 Comments #63) Mercy & ComfortIt was a September Eleventh kind of day, But in a very different kind of way... Eighteen years ago - the sky so perfectly blue, Now all those years later, we face a brand new truth. And while it was now much more cold, cloudy, and gray, And there were whirling tornadoes all throughout the day. It was also the very same kind of day, In many ironic and fateful ways. It was New York City once again as Ground Zero; And it was all of us - once again - who have to be the real heroes. As many on Manhattan Island once again died, The Comfort came into port and once again tied. It was a day we watched the death toll continue to rise. It was a day soldiers all over heard the battle cries. Another day no planes flying through that Heavenly sky, We all shook our heads and wondered... Why? As we all looked up out the window from our sheltered homes, Way up toward that big and Celestial Dome. It was a day where the country once again pulled together, And our first responders once again ventured All of humanity, thought, and prayer - toward the Empire State, As we work together - a team - to change a horrific fate. It was a day American flags were alive - once again. It was a day people thought of others - before they thought of themselves - once again. And once again gone were sports, award shows, tv, and movies, As we are all called on - once again - to much higher duties. It was a day our leaders once again guided the country through a horrific battle scene, As we all continue working together - a United team. It was a day tears were shed watching the news - once again. It was a day we were all very afraid - once again. It was a day no one could stop from coming at us - once again. It was a day we were hit directly in the gut - once again. It was my generation's second life-altering and defining event, Spreading everywhere - the ripple effect. And it is now a whole new generations first, As they now look for answers and continue onward in their strange and new search. And a new generation of humans now know that not everything can be solved, But that working together as one is as imperative as being involved. This new generation has now seen that REACTION can be the most important virtue of them all, As they all hear maybe their very first battle call. And it was a day once again completely blind to race, gender or age, And it was a day no amount of money could in any way change. Yes, we’ve all once again been affected the entire world over, As this once again changes the entire world order. It was a day we had to have faith in humanity - again. It was a day I cried for New York City - once again. Yes - It was a day very reminiscent and I flashed back Toward the nightmare of a day - of those horrific attacks. Eighteen years ago I walked into St. Peter & Paul, As I heard that Heavenly God’s call. In a church - doors wide open and heavy head bent down low I then prayed - all alone in a pew; Thinking then of a life forward, and all anew. I discussed with Him all the horrific death, destruction, and fear... But Now - church doors all shuttered and tightly closed I have to resort to talking with God Head up - while looking in the mirror. Eighteen years later - He is still right here with me. Eighteen years later - He is once again in New York City. And Lady Liberty - still and forever - guiding the prevailing winds As she, and maybe she alone, knows what is needed to truly win. Yes - Eighteen years later - It was a day we had to save ourselves - once again. While Eighteen years later - It is Him I still see - forever, and again. As He watches over New York City, And as He watches over us all, He watches over these United States of America And he catches every one of us - as we continue to fall. Yes, it was now a very gray sky sort of day, And sadly no longer in a perfect blue sky kind of way. Yes, it was a New York is Ground Zero kind of day {But Mercy, God and Comfort - still - all around} As we face a very different - but still invisible - battleground. Yes - In a very different kind of way... It was a September Eleventh kind of day. ~
Check out these other poems and stories for further inspiration, hope, love, faith, humanity, and optimism: 62] PERSPECTIVE @ Seaside Sculpture Park 61] Bean’s Idea List ~ 15 Daily Activities For Well Beyond 15 Days 60] Welcome To Muffin Land ~ The Ugly Cupcake & Muffinry 59] REACTION ~ To World War 19 55] The Shamrock 51] Life Is Full Of Pasta-Bilities ~ Bean’s Red Sauce Recipe 49] A Picture Worth A Thousand Words ~ Happy Valentine’s Day, World 48] Love & Donuts In The Air @ Beaches For Australia 42] Where Does The Chicken Cross The Road? 41] Minnie The Daschund Mouse & Her Birthday Wish 39] The Very Official & Quite Serious Donut Debate Of 2020 38] The Year Of The Sweater ~ Bean’s Minestrone Soup Recipe 36] The End Of A Decade & My New Year’s Wish To You ~ 34] Merry Christmas ~ And How To Buy For That Person On Your List Who Saved Your Life ~ 28] The Scent of Christmas in the Air 27] Thanksgiving & Pete’s Bar ~ Not All Resolutions Need be Fulfilled On January First 26] Deck The Chairs ~ BE THAT CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THIS OUR VERY OWN AND SHAREABLE WORLD 24] In Real Life ~ My First Visit To A Southern Living Idea House 23] Faith ~ And Life Lessons Learned Living WIth Wild & Untamable Hair 21] Cinotti’s ~ And Why Life Is Too Short To Not Eat Donuts 6] Nine Eleven: Before & After |
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