December 2022 – Jacksonville Blogger

It’s Okay To Cry. God Hears…

She was just sobbing, and not just sobbing. Her face was buried in her hands and though I could not hear her weep, I knew she was in a serious cry. I could see the moisture being wiped away from her eyes and her beautiful black face was agonizing. I wish I had known her well enough to ask if I could come to her and let her tell me. Tell me what though? Obviously she had lost a loved one and she was writhing in pain from this loss.

Today, I visited Evergreen Cemetery, the burial grounds of over 80, some say 90,000 souls. The trip was in an effort to get a birthdate for a story I’m working on. I knew the office had a vault that kept detailed records of internments so I was in hopes I could get a date settled in my mind and in addition, I could photograph the grave. After going to the office, getting info about the grave area, I found the grave for which I came. A map was given me and the area was found quickly and in a short time, I was headed to check out other parts of this beautiful area. It is a cemetery but a beautiful one.

After visiting several areas, I started out of the North gate rather than go back through the entire cemetery when I realized the North gate was locked; probably due to it being New Years Eve.

This caused me to round the back behind the mausoleum and there I saw this beautiful Black woman, probably in her 30’s sitting in front of a full area of graves rocking back and forth with her phone in her lap and hands on her face. She was crying and not a mere whimper. I mean she was grieving, crying and in pure lament.

I rolled down my window and asked if I could help her. She nodded, “no”. Then I said, But are you okay?” With a tearful cry, she moaned, “yes” and the full length of her fingers stretched across her eyes. I said “Precious, I’m so very sorry”. “ I just so sorry for your loss”. “I will pray for you and may God bless and be with you”.

Worrying I might be overstepping, I slowly drove away. I wanted to do more. I wanted to say more but was it right for me to even say anything? As I was photographing the front of the cemetery, I saw her car leave the gravesite. I reached out my hands and fingers toward her and prayed in the Name of Jesus for His power and work to take place in her precious life. He knows. He heard her.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Faith, People, Random Posts | Comments Off

December 29

Matanzas National Monument

Jean Ribault was a French naval officer serving under Admiral Gaspard de Coligny who attempted to colonize in Florida near the mouth of the St. Johns River at Fort Caroline.

With some 150 colonists, he landed on Florida soil and claimed the land for France. As a Huguenot Protestant, his belief in God was strong. In 1565 he founded the Fort Caroline settlement on the St. Johns River , even placing a monument there.

The Spanish who had their own claims to Florida at St. Augustine eventually scattered his group and captured Ribault. The name Matanzas is Spanish for “slaughters” named after the1565 slaughter of Jean Ribault and his group. Being Huguenot, they were as Protestant heretics.

The fort at Matanzas is small but accommodating. You can get their free on a boat ride set forth by the Florida State Parks system. The trip is about an hour long but you can stay longer and there are tables for picnicking.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Faith, Parks, Travel, Visit This | Comments Off

December 27

Jacksonville’s Photographic History

DaVinci’s theory of the camera was documented in his sketch books along with other famous inventions. Some 270 drawings of the camera idea were in his sketchbooks.

One of the oldest camera photos of all time his of a view from a window in Le Gras, France in 1826. The portrait is now in public domain. One of the first documented photos in the United States of America was a self portrait of Robert Cornelias in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1839. This photo is also in public domain.

Just as an aside of information, the first uploaded photograph was by the founder of the internet, Tim Berners Lee on July 18, 1992.

It appears that the first President of the United States to be photographed was that of John Quincy Adams in 1843 in his Massachusetts’ home. This was taken only 4 year after the daguerreotype method was invented. There have been only 3 photographs of him known and one was reported by the Associated Press as being found in an antique shop which was believed to be taken in 1843 as his diary entry said on August 1, 1843, The photos themselves, however, he deemed “hideous” and “too true to the original.”) This is also the photo known to be found in an antique shop and bought for .50 cents. The photo below was believed to be taken around the same time.

Interestingly, it was John Quincy Adams to whom a letter for Jacksonville’s territorial request was sent but the petition denied. In August of 1822 however, Duval County was established and William Duval placed a ferry crossing the St. Johns River which led to the town charter for Jacksonville in 1832. I guess that photo found had not even been taken at that time.

Cooley photographed in the South as well

Based on documentation at the Library of Congress, photographs in Jacksonville, Florida seem to appear first in 1864 when photographer, Sam A. Cooley from the 10th Army Corps was in town to photograph the Civil War situation.

Noted film actor, Robert Vignola was a part of film history in a photograph documented in Jacksonville and in acting as well. According to the JHS, he came to Jacksonville in 1908.

Through the years, Jacksonville has had many historic photographs documenting the lives of its people, places and things. Are you a photographer? Do you have any interesting photos to share?

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Library of Congress, Wikipedia, Wikicommons, Jacksonville Historical Society, Florida Memory

Category: Art, People, Random Posts | LEAVE A COMMENT

December 21

Jacksonville- “Doing The Most Good”

Don’t we all want to “Do The Most Good”? While shopping at Publix, “Where “Shopping is a pleasure”, I met up with Dell after putting a meager amount into the kettle. ( “Every penny counts”, of course). Actually, while walking completely past her and almost to the car, realized I had some bills in my pocket so I returned to give. She was so happy to have a donor and smiled with great action and verbal gratitude.

The kettle has been around since the 1890’s. Back in that day, a captain had seen someone drop money in a kettle to help the poor. He took the idea for his own and today it is a staple of this organization especially at Christmas.

The Salvation Army was founded by William and Catherine Booth in east London. The movement spread by way of many of its followers of the faith, one being Eliza Shirley who verbally begged the founder to allow it to go to the USA. Through a turn of events and with a team of 8 including George S. Railton and seven ladies, it was brought to America.

The Salvation Army has been in Jacksonville since 1891, a time when the streetcar era was making way to welcome the railroad boom. Only a little over 10 years earlier than the beginning of the Salvation Army’s start on the East Coast, came Henry Plant’s introduction of the street car. This then, moved toward his railroad” intro into the city. This very act made it possible for great amounts of movement, travel, growth and development in and around the city of Jacksonville. This new growth brought a need for an organization of hope, giving of resources and a heart for the homeless and destitute.

The Salvation Army’s mission statement reads:

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and o meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The Salvation Army of Jacksonville provides the following services:
Social Services
Towers Center of Hope
Towers Center of Hope Housing for Men
Red Shield Lodge Shelter for Single Women and Families
Pathway of Hope Program
Holiday Assistance

If you have a heart for this mission statement, you might be interested in taking part in this ministry and do more good.

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Florida Times Union, Google Search, Salvation Army

Category: Churches, Faith, Finances, Holidays | LEAVE A COMMENT

December 20

Christmas Time in Restaurants-Day 20

This tree is in the Fruit Cove Loop Restaurant located on State Road 13 North. There are 10 Loop Restaurants in Jacksonville, Florida. The very first Loop opened in 1981. There are Loop restaurants in Florida and North Carolina.

On their website they write “We’ve gotta whole lotta love.” The Loop is known for juicy hamburgers and tomato bisque soup.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Food, Holidays | LEAVE A COMMENT

December 19

Go to All Jaguars Wearing # 88

There have been at least eight number 88 football players since the Jaguars began their first season. Allen Hurns: 2014-20-17, Danny Noble: 2-013, Zach Potter: 2009-2012, Joe Zelenka: 2002-2008, Damon Jones: 1997-2001, Kendrick Bullard: 1996, Ty Hallock: 1996, Craig Keith: 1995.

I found this framed Jaguars poster at the Goodwill today and wondered the year the drawing was made. Things like Altell” Stadium were in the background, as was a signature of Damon Jones, # 88.

Altell Stadium was named Jacksonville Municipal Stadium from 1995-1996 and 2007-2010. It was changed to Alltell Stadium for naming rights in 1997 and 2018 to TIAA Bank Field, then to the present.

My guess is, this poster was from 1997.

Go Jaguars and blessings to all Number 88 players including Damon Jones whose signature is in this drawing. Is this find valuable? Let me know….

See you tomorrow,

Category: Sports | Comments Off

December 17

Wreaths Across America

Remember: Our Fallen U. S. Veterans. Honor: Those Who Serve. Teach: Your Children The Value of Freedom.

Freedom is not free. Someone paid the ultimate price and others served with a cost as well.

Alec P. Vaughan, Jr. My Dad.

The Wreaths Across America program happened here in Jacksonville and across the United States on December 17, 2022. The mission is stated above and is a reminder that we must love and protect our freedom.

This year, my 9 year old grandson participated in the laying of wreaths and was able to lay a wreath on the grave of my Father, a World War II vet and a cousin. He also laid a wreath on that of Mema .He laid a wreath by Alec P. Vaughan, Jr., my Dad, his great grandfather and a cousin, Richard Torres. He also laid one by his Mema, Emily Sweet Vaughan and her husband, George Sweet.

There were ceremonies across America including at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. near, Washington, DC., The Nation’s Capital and the boys had a ceremony at the Jacksonville Memory Gardens cemetery.

Remember: Our Fallen U. S. Veterans. Honor: Those Who Serve. Teach: Your Children The Value of Freedom. 12-17-22

See you tomorrow,

Category: Faith, Family, Military | Comments Off

December 15

Jacksonville National Cemetery

The Jacksonville National Cemetery has new signs of opening phase 2 in the burial grounds. The cemetery is located way out Lannie Road on the Northside of the city. It is available to bury members of “the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable”, as written on its web page.

Eligibility includes the following:

“A Veteran’s spouse, widow or widower, minor dependent children, and under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with disabilities may also be eligible for burial. Eligible spouses and children may be buried even if they predecease the Veteran.

Members of the reserve components of the armed forces who die while on active duty or who die while on training duty, or were eligible for retired pay, may also be eligible for burial.”

As I rode through the huge space, I noticed so many Christmas decorations left by family members. Most years wreaths are laid on the tombs. Today, being December 15, I’m not sure.(UPDATE- Wreaths Across America was 12-17-22 and my Grandson participated with his Trail Life troop.)

The cemetery is 526- acre’s and is expected to serve Jacksonville veterans for “the next 100 years”.

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Jacksonville National Cemetery, Google Search

Category: Government | LEAVE A COMMENT

December 14

Jacksonville Celebrates Christmas with Nativity Scenes- Day 14

It is believed that St. Francis of Assisi was credited with having the first nativity scene in 1223. So, given that, the tradition of the manger scene is quite old and of course important in the world of Christian history.

Jacksonville, Florida is not considered to be in the Bible Belt but is “partially” so. Florida’s neighbor, Georgia is in the Bible Belt and while Florida is not considered to be “in” the Belt, it is considered very religious.

According to a search on Google, Jacksonville is considered diverse with various faiths. It also claims 94.4 % Christian. With that said, to see Nativity scenes throughout the city is no surprise.

Today, I was on Lannie Road and saw this Nativity way out in the country. It warmed my heart.12-14-22

See you tomorrow,

Category: Country Life, Faith | LEAVE A COMMENT

December 10

Parade of Trees- Day 10

Just Outside of Jacksonville in Green Cove

The Parade of Trees is held at Christmas time in Green Cove Springs just south of Jacksonville. Individuals and businesses purchase a tree and decorate it to their own heart. Some are dedicated to those who have gone before them, others to a cause and still others to their business.

We walked by the Baptist Church’s “empty” tree and made the comment that while the church was requesting and executing on getting people’s prayers answered, it needed to do a little work on their boring tree.

This just goes to show you cannot judge a book by its cover. The tree had no ornaments because the sign says to “take an ornament” off of the tree. We had a good laugh. Good for the Church, giving as usual.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Churches, Faith, Holidays, Travel | LEAVE A COMMENT